Why Precision and Planning are Key to Safely Moving Heavy Haul Loads

Transporting construction equipment is essential for getting heavy machinery to building sites nationwide. Transporting even the most significant construction equipment necessitates using specialist heavy haul and oversized industry transportation. In this article, the keys to safely moving large loads with the help of heavy haul trucking companies.

Reasons Why Proper Planning Is Critical To Safely Moving Heavy Haul Loads

1.   Assign Certain Duties

The team working for trucking companies in Ontario or nearby should know who is responsible for what before loading begins. Someone needs to drive the equipment up the ramp and onto the trailer bed, and another person needs to act as a spotter, guiding the driver using hand signals. Furthermore, the rest of the crew has to know if a loading process is scheduled. Once loading operations have begun, stopping for wandering people or other vehicles is usually risky.

2.   Wash The Trailer And The Ramp

Cleanliness is of the utmost importance regarding metal ramps and trailer decks. Dry and free of ice, snow, and water, a clean ramp and trailer bed are ready. Heavy haul trucking companies often use ramp friction devices if you're still worried about your machinery gliding up the ramps.

3.   Make Sure The Loading Area Is Clear And Flat

Find a flat, unpopulated area to set up the ramp and load the big machinery. Again, this is common sense, but it's easy to forget amid a hectic workday or peak hours in the yard. Trucking companies in Calgary or the surrounding are responsible for checking that the ground in the loading area is firm enough to support the trailer's weight when fully loaded.

4.   Get In Line With The Machines/Ramps

Drive the heavy equipment up the cleared ramp and onto the vehicle's deck, with the driver in the cab and a spotter in plain view. Remember that its centre of gravity will change as the machine moves up the slope. The equipment's weight is suspended midair during this phase, making it the most precarious portion of the loading procedure. When the equipment is correctly positioned at rest on deck, the trailer's front axle should bear most of its weight. 

5.   Begin To Secure Large Machinery With Chains.

Trucking companies in Ontario and other areas are responsible for determining your state's regulations for transporting heavy machinery on public roads. While most states adhere to the standard of four to five tie-down points, others have additional laws regarding extensive cargo transport.

6.   Chaining Down Properly

One of the most critical procedures in loading and unloading is securing the heavy equipment once it has been placed on the deck. Chaining down raises three significant issues:

• Your chain should be snug and secure, with no wiggle room.
• Transported equipment must not move about or be able to bounce.
• At least half of the cargo's mass must be supported by the working load limitations of the tie-down components. Stay within the boomers' rated capacity regarding the grade of the chain or working load.

Additional Tips For Adequately Securing Heavy Haul Loads

• No horizontal twists, bends, or angles were present, and all chains were fastened in a straight line using downward force.
• Give no slack. If you want to keep the chain from unravelling, just loop the extra length around the rest of the link.
• There are at least four chains in use. Two should be used for the front corners of the trailer and two for the back. The equipment should remain in place due to the tension these competing pressures create.
• Chain and hook sizes should be checked regularly. You must make sure they mesh well together and are not mismatched.

Conclusion

It is a complex task for trucking companies in Calgary or wherever you live to transport heavy construction machinery. We hope you've gained valuable knowledge about safely securing and moving heavy loads from this guide.