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Moving Heavy Machinery: Heavy Haulage Guide

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Many industrial business operations involve the use of heavy machinery and other cargo often weighing many tonnes. Whether it is raw materials or the machinery itself, transporting the heavy cargo from one location to another can be a logistical nightmare.

There are only really two options available, either buy the heavy transport vehicles that have the sufficient geared motor units for the task and move the cargo yourself, or hire a specialist haulage firm to do it for you.

Heavy Haulage Problems

Even if you opt to hire the services of a haulage company, there is still much to take care of to ensure the heavy goods are transported safely and securely.

Undertaking a heavy haulage task without proper planning can lead to huge financial losses which even massive conglomerates cannot afford to suffer, let alone much smaller companies. The main problem that can arise is damages caused by improper handling or transport of the heavy goods, especially if conveyor belts and control pulleys are being used to move loads heavier than they can handle.

These issues can be avoided by making sure to adhere to the following guidelines.

Plan the Heavy Haulage Process

The first thing to do is plan out the entire moving process from start to finish. You will need to analyse the haulage requirements of the goods being moved to ensure that suitable vehicles are employed. If you are hiring a haulage firm, then their staff will need to be made aware of any special arrangements that might be necessary. Also make sure to solicit any advice from other heavy haulage experts if you are not absolutely certain of the correct procedure.

Once the needs of the cargo are realised, the ideal transport vehicle can be identified, as well as any control pulleys and geared motor units which might be required to help load the goods onto and off the vehicle. Again, advice from heavy haulage experts will be helpful, but there is some common sense involved here too. Long and heavy columns will not fit into a standard van, while all kinds of transport vehicles will have weight limits which must be adhered to.

Provide Detailed Information

As previously mentioned, the handlers of the heavy goods will need to be aware of any special arrangements that might be necessary. This also includes any standard information relative to the safe handling of the goods such as the weight and size dimensions. If the goods include any chemicals, or are pressure sensitive, then this information must be made clear to the haulage handlers as well.

If you are hiring a company to move the heavy loads for you, then they may not be liable for any damages if you fail to provide them with the necessary information for them to safely transport the goods.

Ensure the Load is Properly Secured

An unsecured load can be damaged during transit, and may even cause traffic accidents, injuries and even loss of life. Getting the heavy cargo into and out of the transport vehicle might seem like the most dangerous part, but if the load is not secured properly then it is actually during the move that it can be the most dangerous. Make sure to research the restraints and other devices used to secure the load to ensure they are the correct type for that specific cargo.

If you require any geared motor units or control pulleys, then contact YB Components who are the UK’s leading Berges suppliers who can ship these parts all over the world.