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Heavy haulage is a fascinating part of the transportation industry that involves moving incredibly large and heavy objects from one place to another. The process requires specialised equipment, vehicles, and expertise to ensure that everything is transported safely, legally, and to ensure goods are delivered in high condition. 

At AR Banks, we’re specialists when it comes to providing heavy haulage services, and we have a range of heavy haulage vehicles available to meet your transport needs. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of heavy haulage and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Common Heavy Haulage Services

There are several types of heavy haulage, each with its own unique set of equipment and vehicles. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common ones.

Lowboys: Lowboys are heavy haulage trailers that sit low to the ground and have a deck that sits between the axles. They’re commonly used for transporting tall, heavy, or oversized loads. Lowboys are available in different configurations, including fixed-neck and detachable-neck.

Extendable Flatbeds: Extendable flatbeds are another type of heavy haulage trailer that can be adjusted to accommodate longer loads. They’re commonly used for transporting construction equipment, steel beams, and other heavy items.

Double Drop Trailers: Double drop trailers are a type of lowboy that features two levels. The deck sits between the axles, and the front and back sections of the trailer drop down to allow for taller loads. They’re commonly used for transporting large and oversized items that can’t fit on a standard lowboy.

HIAB Crane: Hiab cranes are a type of heavy lifting equipment that are commonly used for loading and unloading heavy goods onto trailers and trucks. They are often used in construction, forestry, and transportation industries. hey can be mounted on different types of vehicles, including trucks and trailers, and can be operated either manually or with remote control.

Specialised Heavy Haulage Services

In addition to the different types of heavy haulage vehicles and equipment, there are also specialised services available for transporting oversized, overweight, and over-dimensional loads, as well as hazardous materials. Here are some examples:

Oversized Loads: Oversized loads are items that exceed the legal dimensions for standard transportation. These can include items such as wind turbines, bridges, and heavy machinery. Specialised equipment, such as SPMTs and double drop trailers, are required to transport oversized loads.

Overweight Loads: Overweight loads are items that exceed the legal weight limit for standard transportation. Special permits and specialised equipment, such as lowboys and extendable flatbeds, are required to transport overweight loads.

Over-dimensional Loads: Over-dimensional loads are items that exceed both the legal dimensions and weight limit for standard transportation. Specialised equipment and permits are required to transport over-dimensional loads.

Hazardous Materials: Hazardous materials, such as chemicals and explosives, require specialised handling and transportation. Specific regulations and permits must be followed to transport hazardous materials safely and legally.

Choosing the Right Heavy Haulage Type for Your Needs

Choosing the right heavy haulage type for your needs can be a challenging task, but it’s essential to ensure that your items are transported safely and legally. Here are some factors to consider:

• Size and Weight: The size and weight of the items you need to transport will determine the type of heavy haulage equipment you need. Consider the dimensions and weight of your load before choosing a heavy haulage type.
• Distance: The distance of the transport will also be a factor in choosing the right heavy haulage type. Some heavy haulage vehicles and equipment are better suited for longer distances than others.
• Permits and Regulations: Transporting oversized, overweight, and over-dimensional loads, as well as hazardous materials, requires permits and regulations to be followed. Ensure that you understand the requirements for your specific transport and choose a heavy haulage type that can meet those requirements.

Hiring a Professional Heavy Haulage Company

Hiring a professional heavy haulage company can make all the difference in ensuring that your items are transported safely and legally. When choosing a company, consider their experience, expertise, and equipment. Look for a company that has experience with transporting similar items to yours and has a proven track record of safe and successful transportation.

In addition, make sure that the company has the necessary permits and insurance to transport your items. They should also have a strong understanding of regulations and safety protocols for transporting oversized, overweight, and over-dimensional loads, as well as hazardous materials.

Finally, choose a company that values communication and transparency. They should be able to provide clear and frequent updates on the status of your transport and be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Contact AR Banks today for more information!

If you would like to know more, or to arrange our team for your heavy haulage needs, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the experts at AR Banks! We’ve been offering our services for many years now, and we’re extremely skilled at what we do, so we’re guaranteed to be able to help! 

For some more industry insight, check out our blog! It’s full of useful information – including an introduction to HIAB cranes and our tips for transporting heavy haulage!