What are the Equipment Haulers for Hire?
If you have the equipment you need to be transported, the best option is to use a company.
There are many options available to you when you are searching for haulers for hire. But you must take the time to learn about each of them to find the one that is the best fit for you.
Think about it like this…
With so many options available, there are going to be companies that specialize in certain types of hauling. You may come across a freight carrier that hauls farm equipment, a trucking firm that moves equipment rigged to 18-wheeler trucks, or a contractor that ships military supplies.
Before you even consider accepting the first quote thrown at you, you need to understand why the price tag for moving is the amount that it is.
The best way to do this is to understand the general process, and how you can become aware of hiring them.
This is not difficult to do, yet it requires some careful guidance the first time you contract a carrier to deliver for you.
First, let’s understand the process.
When attempting to deliver a large piece of machinery your initial step will be to contact a few companies. That is acceptable and in fact what we urge.
You may expect to receive an estimate from these businesses and they may even go so far as to describe the procedure to you to attract you to hire them.
STOP.
Before you agree to anything, ask questions, find out more about them, things like what type of equipment they specialize in, what type of insurance they offer, how long they have been in business, and other similar questions.
If they aren’t willing to answer your questions, you probably don’t want to work with them.
Once you have a better idea of what you are looking for, the general prices for your type of shipment, and a rough idea of the process, you will be better armed to re-contact these corporations or contact new ones to get the best price and service possible.
Who Needs a Mover Anyways?
For most people, haulers are not necessary to haul goods or even machinery. However, if you have equipment that you need moved, you will most likely need to use them. Here is how the process works.
First: Determine the Method
The main forms of delivery are: by road, by rail, or by sea.
The simplest form to decide on is by sea. If you are not moving overseas, or using the water to ship, you do not need to contact a marine-based company.
Transporting your machinery by rail or by road will depend on your preferences.
Most international shipments take place by sea because it is the most economical way to do it. You can ship by plane, but this method is extremely expensive.
The Benefits of the Road Versus Rail Method
Flexibility
It is common knowledge that you can reach more destinations by road versus by rail.
If you are hauling your goods or machinery to major towns and cities (which will have a train station), rail is the better option.
However, if you are ultimately delivering machinery far from a train station, or you want to create a specific route that deters from the rail line, use road option.
Being able to determine your own route allows you to control the final destination, the schedule, and the amount of machinery you want to deliver.
While trains have schedules that you must abide by, or you will not be able to move, roads do not. You can schedule a shipment at any time of the day by road without suffering from schedule conflicts as you would if you used the train.
The Weather
Depending on your location, as well as the location of your destination, you may need to factor in the weather. Roads are much, much more susceptible to bad weather conditions than rails are.
A simple snowfall can lead to a traffic buildup and gridlock, the shutting down of public or private roads, and worse. By contrast, it is very difficult to deter a train schedule based on the weather. Trains can run in practically any weather. Train infrastructure is tough and durable, and can withstand even some of the most extreme weather conditions.
Second: Determine Which Type of Mover You Want to Use
Equipment haulers are usually flatbed rigs or railroad cars that are attached to big rig trucks or trains. Depending on the size, model, and the mode you choose in the previous section of this article, you will know which type you will choose.
The process is simple. Your company will provide you with instructions based on your gear.
They will ensure that it is loaded onto the flatbed hauler or trailer. That one will be attached to either a train or a large rig truck. From there, the train/truck will haul to its destination.
The cost by train will vary. In general, moving by road is less expensive. However, the total cost is reliant on so many more factors than just the mode.
Talk to a few haulers for hire and ask for quotes based on your needs. Compare the quotes are determine which enterprise is giving you the best offer. You will soon realize the range of quotes, and why these quotes are broken down the way they are by each agency you inquire with.
You should know that, if you choose to use train transport, you will need to make accommodations to receive it at the destination train station, especially if the station is not the final destination.
Make a note to talk about this with the firm that you hire. They will help you with this.
Third: Know What to Look for in the Best One for Employment
The simplest way to determine whether the hauler you are interested in hiring is good is to look at their website. Good one-for-hire will have the following information on their website.
- Rate calculator/quote estimation form
- Standard rates and practices
- High-quality images of their trailers
- Standard business website pages (“About”, “Contact”, “Mission”, etc.)
- A blog with posts detailing their services, and the process they use to fulfill those services
- Reviews and testimonials
- Possession of relevant licenses, permits, and requirements from regulatory authorities
- Employees and drivers have the relevant training and experience
Essentially, the best haulers, and public companies in general are very forward about their practices. They leave nothing in the dark about what they can do for you. Everything is detailed.
And this is a good thing because…
The industry is incredibly competitive. Most corporations aren’t willing to lose your business over a small price difference. The more you shop around and leverage a online presence against them, the better your price will be.
The Bottom Line
It doesn’t matter what company you choose, so long as they take care of your needs. Here at A1-AT, we make it a habit to provide a high-quality service to all of our clients.
Your heavy equipment is important to you and your business and we get that.
You want a corporation that cares about it and gets the job done. There are many firms on the market and it can often be confusing for a prospective client to know which enterprise is best for their needs. We have different types of trailers to safely haul your equipment and vehicles such as RGN, step deck, flatbed, and lowboy trailers. We ship gear like cranes, dump trucks, forklifts, tractors, bulldozers, excavators, and other heavy-duty vehicles. We can move your items to and from anywhere within a state or across the country like Hawaii, Alaska, Illinois, Florida, Texas, and other states in the U.S. We can also assist with your international moving to Canada and Mexico.
Here’s What You Should Do…
Don’t get lured in by the false promises that some companies will offer you. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
We don’t try and butter you up to close the deal because no one has time for that.
Relevant Statistics
- There are over 10,000 transporters available for hire across the country.
- On average, they travel approximately 50,000 miles per year.
- More than 85% have at least 5 years of experience in the industry.
- The average capacity of movers is around 20 tons.
- Approximately 95% of haulers have a customer satisfaction rating of 4 stars or higher.
General Facts
- Equipment haulers are specialized trucks or trailers used to haul heavy machinery and equipment.
- They are commonly hired by industries such as construction, farming, and transportation.
- Transporters come in different sizes and configurations to accommodate various types and weights of equipment.
- Some haulers have features like hydraulic ramps or cranes to assist with loading and unloading.
- Hiring a mover is a cost-effective solution for businesses that need to move large or heavy machinery without investing in their fleet.
But Here’s What We Do…
We give you the best price on the market because we are extremely competitive and we know our industry. If you need to get your tools from point A to point B, we’re going to make it happen.
If you have any questions at all about services, give us a call today. We’d be more than happy to provide you with a free quote and to provide you with the solution that gives you the peace of mind that you need.
Heavy hauling doesn’t have to be hard. Let A1-AT prove that to you.