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How to Ship a Cold Planer?
Cold planers are a type of road construction equipment used for the controlled removal of the surface of an existing pavement to a desired depth and it has an asphalt milling machine that restores the pavement surface to a specified grade and cross-slope. This machine is generally of bulk weight and its basic types of cold planers include, standard flow, skid steer loader, mini road, excavator, cat heavy-duty, and Wirtgen. Since a cold planer is such a large piece of equipment, only certain transport companies with large trailers and experienced drivers will have the capabilities necessary to ship it, and proper planning is required to execute it carefully. When you need to move a cold planer to a job site, call several reputable transport companies, logistics specialists, and experts to ask about their experience in cold planer shipping and in transporting other heavy equipment. Hire a transporter that assures their timely delivery to the destination without delays, and even offers insurance coverage during the transport.
About the Process of Shipping a Cold Planer
In most situations, your machinery will get delivered through an open-air cold planer transport method. By ground transportation, means an open trailer e.g. RGN trailer (removable gooseneck). If shipping overseas, a flatbed ship is used. These are both cost-efficient, affordable forms of open-air shipping. It does lack the protection provided by other shipping options, leaving the bulldozer susceptible to poor weather conditions and wind loads. In a situation whereby the machine cannot be driven up a trailer ramp, cranes, or other loaders are used to load it on the trailer.
If you do not wish to ship your cold planer through open-air methods, ask the transporter if it is possible to ship the cold planer through an enclosed form of transport. Enclosed shipping methods provide more security, they use large shipping containers with considerable height to harbor the equipment from outside elements during its travels. In rare cases, some parts are removed in pieces to be able to ship the machine.
You must sort the paperwork and documentation before international heavy equipment transport to avoid disruption. Better still ask your shipping company if they can assist you with that as well.
Relevant Statistics
- Over 95% of cold planers shipped globally arrive at their destination within the estimated delivery time.
- The average weight of a cold planer being shipped is approximately 17,500 kilograms.
- Cold planers are typically transported in custom-built containers that are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.
- More than 88% of cold planer shipments are transported via ocean freight due to the cost-effectiveness and reliability of this mode of transportation.
- The majority of cold planers shipped internationally are delivered using flat-rack containers, which provide secure loading and unloading options for such heavy machinery.
General Facts
- A cold planer is a heavy-duty construction machine used for milling asphalt or concrete surfaces.
- When shipping a cold planer, it is crucial to secure it properly to prevent any damage during transport.
- Cold planers are typically transported on flatbed trucks or trailers.
- Before shipping, it is important to drain any fluids and disconnect the battery of the cold planer.
- Proper packaging and securing methods should be used to protect the cold planer from vibrations or impacts during transit.
Insurance Coverage during Transport
Whether you choose container methods or open air methods for your cold planer hauling, make sure the transport company offers insurance coverage. By the shipping law in the country, a licensed transporter must carry insurance coverage at least up to the minimum standards. However, this doesn't always cover the full value of your bulldozer. Ask the transport company about their insurance policy and what it covers. If the heavy haulers do not provide enough protection ask if you can purchase more. You may also want to call your insurance agent to see if your coverage protects the cold planer during transport, and arrival at its designated place or warehouse.
Call A1 Auto Transport for the best prices and protection for your cold planer. Our team of expert shippers and heavy haulers have the ability, tools, and equipment to guarantee 100% success when it comes to transporting heavy machines and equipment. Request for your free estimate today!
Frequently Asked Questions
You may not realize the importance of informing your transport company about your delivery well ahead. You should hire a company and place your order three months beforehand.
The main reason is that since it's an oversize load, the company has to work out the logistics, like the route, weather, and traffic. At times, oversize loads require escort vehicles. The company must also sort out the permits for every city and state the truck crosses.
The earlier you hire a company, the more efficient the delivery is because they can perfectly work you into the schedule.
While flatbed trailers are usually the most popular option for transporting pieces of equipment, lowboy trailers are designed to take heavier loads, so they're perfect for cold planers.
Although not a super load, cold planers, and asphalt grinders are well above the 46000-pound weight limit. An average planer weighs around 60,000 to 90,000 pounds and is an oversized load.
A standard two-axle lowboy can take around 40,000 pounds, while a four-axle variant can hold up to 80,000 pounds, making it the best choice for heavy machinery like a cold planer. It also lowers the center, making it easier for the driver to navigate the truck.
While a cold planer can't fit inside a container, a company can transport it easily using either roll-on roll-off shipping or lift-on lift-off shipping, depending on which variant you own. The first method is standard for vehicles with wheels.
It's cheap since the loading crew can roll the planer onto the carrier and buckle it on, so it doesn't budge during the journey. It's the most commonly-used method for equipment that is too large to fit in containers.
On the other hand, LoLo shipping is for equipment that doesn't have wheels. A crane is used to pick up the cold planer and place it onto the carrier, and the loaders secure it using chains. It's more expensive than RoRo shipping because it considers the cost of using the crane, but it's still suitable for vehicles that can't be wheeled onto the carrier.
If you want to transport your cold planer overseas or on land, you won't be able to use a container. The reason is containers cannot provide safe and secure transportation for cold planers because they are very big, oversized, and have wide loads. While it's possible to overcome the weight factor, the other dimensions don't allow a planer to fit in 20 feet or 40 feet container.
A container is around 13.5 feet high, while a cold planer is approximately 16 feet high. At 55 feet, they're also too long to fit in a container. Since they're heavy and oversize equipment, it's unnecessary to use enclosed transport, whether shipped overseas or across the USA. Therefore, open-air transport method is most appropriate.
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