Paving Equipment Transport

How Do You Transport Asphalt Pavers

The massive machinery that builds our roads often needs to be transported from one jobsite to the next. If you have an asphalt paver or a slipform or form-type concrete paver to haul, FR8Star can help. It’s an “easy button” to help you find the best professional heavy haul transport for your budget.

Besides pavers, FR8Star’s network of qualified, experienced transport companies know how to safely move cold planers, soil stabilizers, reclaimers/recyclers, batch plants, material transfer vehicles (MTVs), sweepers, and compactors of the smooth drum, padfoot, pneumatic, and combination types.

Get The Right Trailer & Permits

One of the perks of using FR8Star is that the haulers in its network know which trailer will be best for your paving equipment. Many roadbuilding machines can be moved on a flatbed, while other, taller equipment may require a drop deck, lowboy, or removable gooseneck (RGN) trailer. If your machinery doesn’t constitute a full load for a given trailer, you can often get a lower, less than truckload (LTL) rate when a driver has other freight to carry on the same haul.

FR8Star’s network of transport companies will also calculate the best route for the load from origin to destination, including any permits or support vehicles required for the transport of an oversize/overweight (OS/OW) load. For example, pavers and cold planers might need a permit for exceeding the 8.5-foot legal width limit, and very wide (more than 12 feet) loads trigger a requirement for escort vehicles such as flag cars or pilot cars. Loads that are too tall—more than 13.5 feet above ground—require a permit for transport and possibly a pilot car with a height pole (also called a high pole or hi-pole) to detect low-hanging obstacles before the truck reaches them. FR8Star’s heavy haul specialists will take care of all paperwork and will include the cost of any permits or pilot vehicles as they bid for your business.

Prep Your Equipment

Next, you’ll need to take measurements of your paving equipment when it’s folded, stowed, or broken down for transport. For example, if you plan to ship a paver, remove its screed extensions before you measure its width. If your roller compactor has a folding rollover protection system (ROPS) structure, fold it down before you check the machine’s height. Because of the OS/OW shipping regulations we mentioned above, it’s very important to determine the actual width, height, and length of your machinery. The manufacturer’s website may give you an approximation of its operating weight including fluids.

It’s also a good idea at this point to go through the cab and storage compartments of the machine, if applicable, to make sure there are no extraneous personal belongings or trash. Clean off any leaked fluids as well.

Get Free Estimates From FR8Star

When you’re ready to start looking for a hauler, take advantage of FR8Star’s free services for shippers. Enter a few details about your load, including the type of paving equipment and its dimensions, and within seconds FR8Star will reply with estimates from its vetted list of licensed, bonded transport companies.

FR8Star places carriers into ranked tiers—Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond—to indicate how long each hauler has been using FR8Star and how they’ve been rated by their shipping customers. You can request firm quotes from the haulers that look most applicable to your situation and timeline. Over the next several hours, they will submit all-in bids for your approval. You can book transport with the carrier of your choice, or none at all if you’re not satisfied with any of your options.

Whatever your brand of roadbuilding equipment—Blaw-Knox, BOMAG, Caterpillar, Dynapac, GOMACO, LeeBoy, Roadtec, Vogele, Volvo, Wirtgen, or any other—FR8Star has experienced, knowledgeable drivers ready to haul it for you.

Load Up & Stay In Communication

Once you’ve booked transport, the hauler should arrive on the agreed-upon date. If you have a ramp or dock available, the driver may use it to drive the machinery onto the trailer. Note that some loads may require a crane or forklift, as in the case of a double-drop trailer. The driver will securely strap or chain the machine in place and may chock the wheels if applicable.

Take some photos of the machine on the trailer once it’s loaded and chained down; the driver probably will, too, to document the condition of the equipment before its journey. Most carriers will also send you images of the machine once it safely arrives at its destination. Throughout the entire process, the hauler and FR8Star personnel will be in contact with you to make sure everything proceeds as planned. Get started today at FR8Star.com.