Everything You Need To Know About Heavy Haulage

Ever spotted huge pieces of equipment and machinery on a building site and wondered how on earth they made their way to their current location? Well, it’s all thanks to the highly specialist heavy haulage industry.

First things first, what does heavy haulage involve?

Simply put, the heavy haulage industry involves the movement of oversized objects. For example, large pieces of machinery or other heavy loads. Heavy haulage companies will provide you with specialist haulage equipment and staff that know how to use it. They will use transport methods such as Hiab lorries to move your items safely and quickly.

Heavy hauling is a job that needs to be taken on with a lot of specialist knowledge and the utmost care. A number of industries around the world use professional heavy hauling services to get their larger items and materials where they need to.

The items that are transported using heavy haul methods aren’t ordinary load. They are usually way too large or heavy for traditional transport. Specialised transport is necessary to get them from A to B safely.

Which industries usually use heavy haulage transport?

Any industry can be in need of specialist haulage depending on the project. The main sectors that currently use this method of transport are the agriculture and construction industries. It is also an attractive option for those businesses that would prefer to transport their haul in one big move rather than having to hire multiple smaller lorries to take multiple journeys.

This is helpful in keeping costs down as the business owner doesn’t have to pay for more than one vehicle. It’s also more efficient and useful if there are time constraints. For instance, a crane can be transported using just one vehicle which means the entire construction project can run a little more quickly.

What heavy haulage transport options are available?

HIAB lorries are a popular choice for loading and unloading heavier items, with a hydraulic loading crane fixed onto the back of a truck. It’s the best solution for hauling heavier items and navigating through different types of spaces to get your items right where you need them. You can get different types and capacities, and get them completely customised based on your requirements. They’re reliable and trustworthy, but you also need to ensure that the heavy haulage company you choose has the right staff to operate them safely.

At Michael Gall, we offer Hiab crane hire in Aberdeen, Dundee and surrounding areas. These sturdy vehicles make it possible for us to move around heavier items in large quantities with speed and efficiency.

So, what are the advantages of HIAB hire?

●A trained operator can load and unload heavy items with ease and efficiency

●Goods can be collected from anywhere - even locations without loading bays

●HIAB lorries are ideal for any palletised goods

●HIAB cranes can provide access to awkward spaces and tight spots thanks to their clever construction

●Inaccessible spaces (such as raised or sunken areas) can easily be reached

What kind of rules and regulations are there for heavy haulage transport?

Even within heavy haulage vehicles, loads can be classified into different categories. What classifies a vehicle into its heavy haulage category is more than just its size. You can also look at things like weight restrictions and set speed limits.

The majority of heavy haulage vehicles come under Category 2 or 3. These are limited to the speed limit of 40 mph on the motorway or just 35 mph on dual carriageways. You may also need to get special permission to transport goods using the vehicle depending on its weight.

When the loads are exceeding a certain weight (78 tonnes), the Highway and Bridge Authorities will need to be notified at least 2 days before you need to transport. If you’re looking to transport a load weight of more than 147 tonnes, you’ll need a longer notice period of at least 5 days. The police will also need to be informed for a haul of this size.

Professional heavy haulage companies will have all the information you need to know around rules and regulations for this type of transport.

Finding the right heavy haulage transport company is the most important step

There are now a number of transport companies that offer heavy haulage services . You should spend a little time finding one with an established reputation in this specialised area. Look for positive online reviews and testimonials from previous customers. Remember, those heavy haulage companies that have years of experience will be well versed to answer any specific questions you may have.

Once you have enlisted a specialist from the heavy haul industry, they will take on the stress of the transport for you. However, there are some things you can do to make it a more efficient move Here are a couple of tips for you to help ensure that the process is completed as seamlessly as possible.

●Make sure you have briefed the transport company with the specifics of a project and the items in question. Details such as the locations and the exact weight and height of the equipment that needs to be transported are essential to get right. This is important to ensure that the right equipment is used and to make sure everything gets to the right place! Incorrect briefing could prove quite costly and time consuming.

●Share all the relevant information on the pick up and drop off sites. This will help ensure that the job is completed as efficiently as possible and that the best equipment for the job is used.

●Work with a reputable company that has the expertise and experience to get the job done safely. As mentioned before, this is the easiest way to ensure that your goods get transported safely. A heavy haul company with years of experience will be able to take care of any rules and regulations and they’ll operate their high-quality equipment with ease. They will also only use experienced drivers which is essential for the success of the job.

Get Hiab Hire in Dundee or Aberdeen with Michael Gall Transport Ltd to make heavy haulage transport easy

Loading and unloading heavy items no longer needs to be stressful or time consuming. At Michael Gall, we offer a range of versatile transport solutions. Our Hiab cranes are specially designed to reach any items with easy efficiency, and our drivers have been thoroughly trained to operate this kind of equipment.

If you’re looking to transport any heavy goods around Scotland, get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help with any load capacity.