October 19th, 2009
Generally, you cannot obtain a state DOT permit for a load that uses multiple pieces to make it over dimensional or overweight. For instance, you cannot put two 6’ wide generators together side-by-side to make a 12’ wide load. You cannot stack lumber 9’6” high on a flatbed trailer to make your loaded dimensions 14’6”. The same rules apply with regard to length: you will not be allowed to put multiple pieces end-to-end to create a length requiring a permit.
For overweight loads, the same general rule applies. Most overweight loads must be a single piece, with a few exceptions. Some states will require a blade or bucket to be taken off of a piece of construction equipment, but will allow those pieces to travel on the same truck with the machine itself. There are other exceptions, and these vary from state to state. You can contact the individual state and municipal transportation offices to find out their rules, or contact a qualified transportation provider.
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October 12th, 2009
Moving Project Cargo out of job sites can be very challenging. Some of the factors that can cause problems are:
* Site readiness – often times, a site can be muddy, or have a narrow or unsuitable entrance. In many instances the specialized equipment used to move job site machinery has low ground clearance and the load to be hauled is wide, high or long. Thus, the entrance must be level and dry, and big enough to move wide or long equipment in and out.
* Inaccurate dimensions – Many times the owner of the freight has not even seen the commodity, or has only a rudimentary awareness of the dimensions of the material to be shipped. It is always advisable to put a professional with a tape measure on site to record the transport dimensions of the material to be shipped.
* Communication – Jobs site are often situated in rural areas with poor or no cell reception. Thus, it can be really hard to communicate with the driver or shipper during the course of loading the equipment.
You can usually count on something unexpected to occur when shipping used equipment out of a job site; no matter how prepared you think you are. The best way to remedy this is to do a lot of research and make sure there is an open channel of communication between transportation provider and customer/shipper. A qualified transportation professional should always survey the job site (when possible) to verify accessibility and measurements.
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