What Counts as "Heavy Equipment" Freight
Heavy equipment freight covers a wide range: construction machinery like excavators, skid steers, and loaders; agricultural equipment like tractors and combines; industrial machinery being relocated between facilities; and specialty equipment like generators, compressors, and manufacturing line components. What they have in common is weight, dimensions, or both that put them outside standard flatbed freight - and often outside standard legal trailer dimensions entirely.
The first question we ask on any equipment shipment isn't the destination - it's the weight, height, width, and length of the machine, because that determines everything else about how it moves.
Choosing the Right Trailer for Your Machine
A standard flatbed works for equipment that fits within legal height and width and doesn't exceed standard weight limits. A stepdeck (drop deck) trailer lowers the deck height, giving you extra vertical clearance for taller equipment without going over height restrictions. A double-drop (lowboy) trailer goes lower still and is the standard choice for the tallest, heaviest machinery - excavators, large loaders, and similar equipment. A Rolltite or Conestoga trailer adds a retractable tarp system, useful when equipment needs weather protection during transit without sacrificing flatbed loading flexibility.
We match the trailer to the machine's actual dimensions and weight rather than defaulting to whatever's easiest to book - the wrong trailer choice either doesn't work at all or costs more than necessary.
Permits and Legal Requirements
Equipment that exceeds standard legal dimensions or weight limits needs an oversize or overweight permit before it can move, and permit requirements vary by province. Some moves need only a single-trip permit; others require pilot or escort vehicles, specific travel time windows (many jurisdictions restrict oversize moves to daylight hours or specific days), and detailed route approval to avoid low bridges, weight-restricted roads, or municipal bylaws.
We handle this permitting and route planning as part of the booking process rather than leaving it for the shipper to sort out - it's one of the main reasons equipment freight benefits from working with a broker who does this regularly.
Securement and Insurance
Heavy equipment needs proper chain and binder securement rated for the machine's actual weight, not just enough tie-downs to look secure. We confirm securement standards before dispatch and make sure the carrier has appropriate cargo insurance for the declared value of the equipment - a standard freight policy often isn't enough for a piece of machinery worth six figures.
If your equipment has removable attachments, buckets, or accessories, we also confirm how those are secured or whether they ship separately, since loose attachments are one of the more common securement problems on equipment loads.
Loading and Unloading Logistics
Equipment loading usually requires either a ramp the machine can drive or be towed up under its own power, or a crane/forklift for equipment that can't move itself. We confirm which applies before the truck arrives, because a driver showing up expecting a drive-on load that actually needs a crane is a delay nobody wants.
Site access at both ends matters too - can a full-size tractor-trailer actually get into the pickup and delivery locations, or does the site have space, gate height, or turning radius restrictions that need to be planned around in advance?
Typical Transit Times and Routes
Transit time for equipment freight depends on distance the same way any FTL shipment does, but oversize loads with permit restrictions (daylight-only travel, no-weekend-travel rules in some jurisdictions) can take longer than the raw driving time suggests. We factor permit restrictions into the quoted delivery window rather than quoting straight-line driving time and letting the permit requirements become a surprise.
Working With a Broker vs Booking Direct
Equipment freight is one of the areas where broker experience makes a real difference. We know which carriers actually run the right equipment for oversize loads, how to route around known problem points (low bridges, weight-restricted roads, tight municipal corridors), and how to get permits processed without adding unnecessary delay. That's the value beyond just finding a truck - it's making sure the truck, the route, and the paperwork all actually work together.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to ship heavy equipment?
If your equipment exceeds standard legal height, width, length, or weight limits, yes. Permit requirements vary by province, and we handle this as part of booking your shipment.
What trailer do I need for an excavator or large loader?
Most excavators and large loaders need a double-drop (lowboy) trailer for the extra clearance height. Smaller equipment may work on a stepdeck or standard flatbed depending on dimensions.
How is equipment secured during transit?
With chains and binders rated for the machine's actual weight, following standard securement regulations. We confirm the carrier is using appropriate securement before dispatch.
Can equipment ship with attachments still on?
Sometimes, depending on how they affect the load's overall dimensions and securement. We assess this case by case and will tell you if an attachment needs to ship separately.
How long does it take to arrange permits for an oversize load?
It varies by province and how far outside standard dimensions the load is, but we start the permit process as soon as we have accurate dimensions, so it doesn't become the bottleneck on your shipment.