Plant equipment haulage is an essential part of many construction and manufacturing projects in the UK. By choosing the right equipment, obtaining the proper permits, selecting the right escort vehicles, and ensuring effective traffic management, we ensure the safe and successful transport of heavy machinery.
Operating from our Northampton base, our modern fleet is equipped for nationwide journeys. Our environmentally friendly Mercedes and Scania tractor units comply with Euro 6 emissions standards, ensuring a greener footprint across the UK. Catering to diverse transport needs for heavy plant haulage, our fleet includes:
- 3 & 4 axle semi-low loaders for up to 60Te loads, ideal for varied UK routes.
- Efficient crane trailers for nationwide machinery transport.
- Ramped trailers for easy loading of heavy machinery, suitable for UK-wide industrial demands.
- Rear steer trailers for navigating long and wide loads across the country.
- Curtain sided trailers safeguarding valuables from the British weather.
- Extendable trailers designed for abnormal loads, perfect for UK’s unique transport challenges.
- 600mm ‘wafer deck’ trailers, robust for the heaviest loads, ensuring safe delivery throughout the UK.
We have safely transported many types of heavy plant machinery over the years, making Northampton Road Haulage the ideal partner for your construction equipment haulage needs.
Although we specialize in transporting materials for the construction, plant hire, agricultural and industrial sectors, we are equally capable of handling any other requests, including those from the general public.
Vehicles we use to transport heavy plant
Our fleet contains the right range of vehicles to transport plant machinery and other equipment. Depending on what needs moving, we will use one of our
- Low-load Trailers
- Flat Trailers
- Rigid Flat Vehicles
Each type of vehicle has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on the specific requirements of the job. For example, a low loader may be the best option for a wide or abnormal load, while a flatbed may be more suitable for smaller equipment.
Heavy Plant Transport
Depending on the size and weight of the machine being moved, we will use one of the above vehicles. Where necessary we can deploy specialist vehicles such as HIAB cranes or forklift trailers. Contact us to get a price to move the following types of vehicles, and more:
- Excavators
- Bulldozers
- Cranes
- Forklifts
- JCBs
- Tractors
- Combine harvesters
How we ensure your plant is moved safely and quickly
There are a number of steps to safe and legal heavy machinery transport
Getting the Proper Permits
When transporting heavy plant equipment in the UK, it’s essential to obtain the necessary permits. Abnormal load permits and wide load permits are required for loads that exceed certain size or weight limits.
In addition, some areas may have specific restrictions or requirements that must be met before the transport can proceed. Failure to obtain the proper permits can result in fines and delays.
Choosing the Right Escort Vehicles
In some cases, escort vehicles may be required to accompany the heavy plant equipment during transport. These vehicles help to ensure the safety of other road users and may be mandatory for loads that exceed certain size or weight limits.
When choosing escort vehicles, it’s important to consider the specific requirements of the job and select vehicles that can handle the load safely.
Ensuring Traffic Management is in Place
Heavy plant equipment transport can cause significant disruption to traffic flow, especially in urban areas. To minimize the impact on other road users, it’s essential to have a traffic management plan in place.
This may include road closures, diversions, or temporary traffic signals. Effective traffic management can help to ensure that the transport proceeds smoothly and safely.
How Northampton Road Haulage excels in the delivery of plant equipment
We take a range of measures to ensure that plant machinery entrusted to us is transported safely and quickly:
Maintaining a well-maintained fleet of vehicles: We have a range of well-maintained vehicles suitable for transporting different types and sizes of plant machinery. By investing in this fleet and regularly maintaining all vehicles, we ensure that we have the right equipment for the job, reducing downtime and the risk of breakdowns during transport.
Skilled drivers and staff: Experienced drivers and staff are crucial for successful plant haulage. They should be able to load and secure plant equipment correctly, navigate transport routes, and understand the legal requirements and regulations related to transporting heavy machinery. We hire and train our staff appropriately to ensure they have the necessary skills, experience, and knowledge.
Focusing on safety: Safety should be a top priority for any company involved in abnormal load plant haulage. Northampton plant haulage ensure that our staff and drivers are trained in safe loading and unloading procedures, and that our vehicles are regularly checked and maintained to ensure their roadworthiness. We also make sure to obtain the appropriate permits, arrange for necessary escort vehicles, and have an effective traffic management plan in place when moving heavy plant equipment.