Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/692436
EquipmentWorld.com | June 2016 77 T he technical aspects of hauling big or heavy loads on trailers is well known by experienced contractors. You get a big enough tractor, a big enough trailer and you tie down the load ac- cording to the manufacturer's specs or DOT rules. But there is a whole other world of complications, regulations and requirements contractors must adhere to before putting an over- sized or overweight load on the road. And these additional require- ments are such that in, most cases, contractors are going to need a specialist to help them organize and execute the move. For Robert Hall, director of carrier operations at Ryan Transportation Service, it's just these logistical com- plications that make his job interest- ing. "Our preplanning is what makes these difficult and challenging moves exciting," he says. "A lot of customers don't see all the planning that goes into it, including routing, timing, state permits, restrictions, construction is- sues and crane involvement." Ryan Transportation Service is a transportation broker, meaning they organize the haul, arrange for all the logistics, screen and qualify the carriers and in some cases provide financing for the cost of hauling oversize or overweight loads. The company specializes in loads that are wider than the 8-foot 6-inches legal length and taller than 13-foot 6-inches. These heavy loads can weigh from 45,000 pounds to be- tween 150,000 and 160,000 pounds. The financial penalty for any contractor who gets any one aspect of a super load haul job wrong is enormous, says Hall. Take cranes for example. To get a big load onto a trailer often requires the service of a large crane. At $1,500 an hour to rent a crane and operator, being un- prepared when the crane arrives can take quite a bite out of the contrac- tor's bottom line, he says. The key to success, Hall says, is to have a strong transportation plan that takes into account the complex- ity of the job, the savings and cost considerations and safety and risk mitigation. Complexity To guarantee a successful job involves hundreds of details. You need to know the exact weight and dimension of the load, do all your planning, secure the proper permits and the right truck for the load, map out the most cost efficient route and make insurance arrangements. Much of the complexity comes from the fact that every state has different requirements and permit standards for oversized/overweight loads, says Hall. Some charge more for permits and some even require a 10-day waiting period. In one state you may not need an escort car but as soon as you cross a state line, you do. In some New England states, for loads taller than 14-foot 6-inches, you need an escort car with a pole on it to gauge bridge or powerline heights. But for many states out west, oversize regulations come into play at 16 feet or 17 feet, says Na- than Watson, director of business de- velopment for Ryan Transportation Service. "And trust me, the states can change things overnight," he says. heavy trucks | by Tom Jackson | TJackson@randallreilly.com Whether it's machinery or huge industrial components, before you hit the road with an oversize or overweight load, consider using a specialist. HAULING THE BIGGEST LOADS Transportation of oversize loads, such as this scraper, is often restricted to daylight hours.