Excavator Transport

If you need long-haul transport for an excavator, you’ll need the services of a truck and trailer to haul it to its destination. FR8Star is here to help. FR8Star gives you free access to a network of qualified transport companies with expertise in shipping excavators and other heavy haul loads. Its experienced transport companies will streamline the process and eliminate the guesswork, including securing any permits or escort vehicle it may require.

However, there are a few things you’ll need to do to prepare your excavator for the trip before you book a hauler’s services.

A major consideration when shipping machinery and attachments is their height on the trailer, which is why lowboys are so popular for transporting large hydraulic excavators. If the load is more than 13.5 feet tall, it will require a permit for transport and possibly a pilot car with a height pole (also called a high pole or hi-pole). The width of the excavator is also important, because anything wider than 8.5 feet will require an oversize (OS) load permit, and a load wider than 12 feet will require escort vehicles such as flag cars. It’s important to follow the excavator manufacturer’s instructions on fully stowing or disassembling the machine. There may be specific practices for reducing the height of specific components, such as by removing roof-mounted lights or tall exhaust components.

When it comes time to ship, FR8Star makes it easy to get free haulage estimates fast—in as little as 30 seconds. Enter the information about your load, including its dimensions, weight, and available loading methods such as a dock.

Next, compare transport companies and the bids they submit. FR8Star’s tiered transport companies ratings—Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond—indicate how long a hauler has been using the platform and how highly they’ve been rated by their customers. Ask for firm quotes, and then choose the right transport company for your needs. Whatever your brand of excavator—Caterpillar, Deere, Hitachi, Komatsu, Volvo, or any other—FR8Star has drivers experienced with transporting it.

Most drivers will load the excavator with the boom facing the rear of the trailer. After loading, make sure that the driver uses the excavator’s intended strap down points to strap or chain it in place. If the excavator has wheels, the transport company should use chocks to immobilize them. Most haulers will send you photos of the loaded machine at both the beginning and endpoint of the journey, but don’t be afraid to take your own pics to document the excavator’s condition before it is driven away. FR8Star representatives and the hauler will both be in contact with you throughout the trip to resolve any issues and make the process go smoothly.

FR8Star streamlines the process for drivers to find loads that meet their needs. Quick filters on our load board make it easy to narrow your search for the loads that meet your specific needs.

VIEW LOAD BOARD