Tow Truck Advice

To effectively carry out construction projects in various parts of the country, heavy industrial machinery needs to be transported to relevant locations. It is, however, not an easy task to transport machines such as forklifts, tractors, cranes and bulldozers. Special preparation and care needs to be taken from the time the machine is being prepped for transport to the time it is being unloaded.

Selecting qualified and experienced forklift transport services can ensure the smooth transportation and delivery of your machines in a timely manner. When preparing heavy machinery for transport, the following important factors should always be kept in mind.

Start with a Review of the manufacturer's manual

The manufacturer of the machine (such as a forklift) knows best about how to prepare the item for transportation. Your first step should be to retrieve the manual from the manufacturer's website or from the packaging you obtained when you purchased the machine.

The manual will specify how to disconnect certain parts, what safety precautions should be adhered to, and what fluids should be drained before transport.

Properly package the machine

Forklift transport should not be done without proper packaging of the machine. Vulnerable parts should be adequately covered to prevent rain and wind damage.

Extra care should also be taken during cold periods to protect the forklift or other machines from ice and snow. In addition, any loose parts should be properly secured to prevent them from flying off the main unit.

Prepare the pickup and drop-off location

To adequately prepare for your machinery transport, you will need a pickup and drop-off location that is open, secure, and equipped with the required tools. You may need a loading dock, a ramp, cranes and other equipment to effectively place the forklift/other machines on the truck and to unload it at is final destination. 

Each machine that is transported should have an informational sheet that includes the following information:

• Loading/unloading procedures
• Contact information of the concerned parties
• The specified loading/unloading area
• Timeline of transportation
• Emergency procedures

Obtain the required permits

In some cases, Australian transportation authorities regulate the transportation of heavy industrial equipment on roads and highways. In addition, these machines may be too tall to go underneath bridges, or too heavy to be transported on certain types of roads.

It is therefore important to consult with the relevant authorities to make sure that you have all the required permits for the forklift transport.