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It's A Dangerous World Out There


About Me

It's A Dangerous World Out There

When I got in to the tow truck business, I thought that my days would be filed with being out in the open air and meeting interesting people. Little did I know that every day would present serious safety challenges. As cars travel too closely and roads remain slick, it is all I can do to pull stranded motorists out of ditches to safety. I have had more than one close call, and unfortunately, I have lost a few friends out there. My personal goal is to spread the word about the dangers of tow truck driving, so that everyone can remain safe on the road.

Essential Tips To Prepare Your Heavy Equipment For Transportation

Are you required to transport your company's heavy equipment soon? Heavy equipment transportation isn't one of those tasks you can take lightly. Things can get out of hand if the work isn't done correctly. Luckily, you can rely on companies that offer heavy equipment transportation services to ship the commercial equipment safely.

But before the service providers arrive, you will need to prepare adequately. Besides, you have to be careful to avoid damaging the equipment or causing injury on the job site. This post will share critical things you must do to reduce risks and improve safety.

You Should Check the Manual

Every heavy equipment model has particular instructions users need to follow to transport it safely. If you do not follow the directions, you'll risk the safety of everyone who is involved and damage the equipment. So, read the owner's manual to familiarize yourself with the details. Most manuals provide information about preparing the commercial equipment and securing it, as well as what vehicle one can use for hauling. Others even share the weights and measurements you will require for the shipping process. If you have misplaced the manual, you should check the manufacturer's website for further guidance or consult with the hauling team as they have loads of experience.

You Should Pick the Right Trailer

One mistake people make when transporting commercial equipment is to choose a trailer based on its size. Even if a trailer is big enough to accommodate the equipment, that does not mean it can haul it. So, start by checking the trailer's capabilities to determine if it can handle the job. Check the load capacity and safety rating and then consider the route you will use. If the terrain is uneven or bumpy, the load's weight will increase during transportation. Then, choose the right type of trailer – lowboy, flatbed, gooseneck, and drop deck are some standard options transportation companies offer.

You Should Inspect the Trailer

Although the commercial transportation company you work with will provide a suitable trailer, you still need to verify that it's in good condition before loading the equipment. Get a qualified mechanic to do a thorough safety check before departure. Things like the tires, lights, horns, hydraulic hoses, and reflectors must be in working order. The brakes should also be checked to boost safety when the equipment is in transit.

Finally, make sure the equipment can be adequately secured on the trailer without exposing it to the weather. All vulnerable parts must be covered before departure to keep elements like rain, wind, sunlight, and snow at bay.

It would be devastating to realize your equipment is damaged after transportation. The tips mentioned above will ensure the task is done properly so the equipment remains functional for many years.

To learn more, contact a heavy equipment transportation company.