If you have heavy items to move from one part of the country to another, then it is likely to be a bigger logistical operation than usual. As such, there are additional things that you need to take on board from the point of view of safety than you would for a normal set of deliveries. Of course, heavy haulage regulations apply in Australia just as they do in other parts of the Western world, and you need to make sure that your arrangements take into account state and city rules, which may mean seeking professional advice from an expert. In the meantime, what are the most important considerations before you begin shifting oversized and weighty items?
Make a Route Plan
One of the key aspects of heavy haulage, especially when it is undertaken by road, is to ensure that the route you will take is feasible. Heavy cargo loads should get onto the main roads as soon as possible, but this still means ensuring that your route avoids low bridges, schools and residential streets. That may mean taking a slightly longer route than you normally would, of course. In addition, some heavy haulage loads will be unsuited to rail freight transportation, so you should not assume that this is always an option.
Ensure Your Vehicle Is Suitably Sized
Long loads require extendable trailers on the back of trucks. Multiple heavy items can be containerised and transported by road trains. Remember that the number of axles on Australian trucks is a key differentiator between them. Basically, the more axles, the greater the load that a truck is able to carry. However, multi-axle trucks require specialist drivers who have undergone training to drive with such loads. Never overload a heavy haulage truck, which is not just unsafe but could also land you in trouble with the police.
Securely Load Your Cargo
Heavy cargoes will slip around under the right conditions. Don't assume that their sheer weight will prevent them from coming loose under gravity. Sideways forces come into play as both rail services and trucks head around corners. Irregularly sized heavy loads should be placed on made-to-measure timber skids and secured in place with chains, webbing or ropes. Remember that any part of your load that is improperly tied down could work its way free and be destroyed, with all of the consequential financial impact that would bring, especially if it harmed another road user nearby.
Contact a company that offers heavy haulage services for more information.
Hello. Ivy here. As an avid traveller, I think I have used every form of transport that exists. I have traversed this planet on everything from donkeys to B-Doubles despite protests from my worried parents! These days, friends and family often consult me about different forms of transport and I have become quite a font of knowledge. I created this blog so that others who have an interest in transport can join me in my obsession and maybe extract some useful nuggets of wisdom. Please park yourself for a little while and enjoy wandering through my posts. Thank you for driving by.