Low Loaders: When to Choose a Low Loader for Agricultural Machinery Transport

Agricultural machinery can be big, bulky, heavy, and challenging to move. Some machinery is tall, while other pieces of equipment are wide, making planning and transporting machinery from one place to another a tricky business.

In this article, we look at when to choose a low loader to transport agricultural machinery and why you must join forces with an experienced transport company to get the job done.

When and why do you need a low loader to transport farm machinery?

Not all agricultural equipment requires a low loader for transportation, as it largely depends on the weight and dimensions of the equipment. Smaller machinery can readily be moved about on a semi-low loader or a standard trailer.

However, if the equipment is particularly tall, wide, heavy, or all of these, a low loader is your best option. Agricultural machinery that typically requires a low loader for transportation includes:

• Sprayers
• Combines
• Self-loading wagons
• Machinery with hydraulic lifting or oversized components

What is a low loader?

A low loader is a specialised flatbed transport trailer that has a very low deck, making it easier to load equipment onto the trailer and unload it at the new location. Due to its very low profile, a low-loader trailer is much more stable when transporting oversized and heavy equipment over longer distances, and is far less likely to sway or move about, even in windy conditions with the tallest and heaviest loads.

What are the benefits of a low-loader transport trailer?

We talked about the stability of a low loader when transporting oversized and heavy loads and its low profile, making loading and unloading a simpler task but there are other benefits to choosing low loaders for moving agricultural machinery.

For instance, they can carry very large machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, and even cranes. While these are not always used in agriculture and farming, they demonstrate the scope and versatility of the low-loader trailer.

Also, as low loaders are specifically designed for transporting large and heavy loads, they meet Australian transport standards, guaranteeing legal and safe transportation over both short and long distances.

Some low loaders come with an extendable drop deck, making them ideal for transporting those extra-long or wide loads. With three axles, the weight of the load is more evenly distributed, enhancing stability even further.

The manoeuvrability of a low loader is another advantage, especially when navigating city streets and built-up urban areas.

Planning the transportation of agricultural equipment

Before attempting to move any piece of agricultural equipment that requires a low loader, it’s crucial to plan ahead to ensure everything goes smoothly before, during, and after the move. Careful planning is the key to a safe, incident-free move.

First, you’ll want to assess the weight and dimensions of the machinery you need to transport. Another important consideration are removable or fragile parts, such as hydraulic attachments and delicate components. Determine whether anything should be disassembled before transporting and reassembled at the new destination.

One of the most critical phases of the planning stage is mapping out the best route to get from A to B. This isn’t all about the shortest or fastest route, as other factors need to be considered. For example, are there any bridges to navigate en route, tunnels, busy streets, or narrow winding stretches of road? Are there any restrictions on what time of the day or night you can legally transport your oversized load? The weather is a further consideration. What is the projected forecast for moving day? Is there any rough terrain to contend with?

Aside from possible restrictions on what time of the day you can legally transport your machinery, there may also be road restrictions. Check these with your local government office first before mapping out your route, as some roads may be out of bounds.

Practical tips for preparing your agricultural equipment for transport

You’ll want to conduct a thorough inspection of both the equipment to be moved and the transport vehicle itself. This includes the low loader trailer, as well as the truck. All tyres need to be inflated to the correct pressure, fluid levels should be checked, and it’s important to ascertain that there are no faults or defects of any kind. Any issues should be rectified before loading and transportation take place.

Mobile equipment can be driven onto the back of the trailer, but other machinery will require the use of a crane to load it. Once loaded, the machinery then needs to be securely tied down with straps and chains so it doesn’t shift while in transit, and several people should double-check that the load is properly secure.

Disassemble any loose or fragile parts, label them, and securely stow them on the back of the trailer by strapping them down.

The final step is to coordinate with the transport team and ensure all lines of communication are open. This helps guarantee that the entire process goes without a hitch and the machinery arrives safely at its destination.

Contact

At Reef Group in Perth, our experienced and expert team has been successfully loading, transporting, and unloading heavy and oversized equipment for many years. We’ll help you plan your move, and we have the fleet of low-loader trailers to accomplish the task successfully. Talk to us today about your needs.