Insider Tips for Transporting Equipment Rentals
Many businesses leverage equipment rentals as an effective way to complete jobs without worrying about maintenance costs or storage issues. All you need to do is choose the machine best suited for the job, do the required paperwork, sign the rental agreement, and the machine is yours for a specific period.
The question is, once you rent a machine, how are you going to get it to your jobsite? If you’re picking it up and transporting it yourself, there are certain steps and precautions you should take to ensure you do it correctly. Follow our best practices below to have your equipment rental where you need it, when you need it!
Trailering regulations
First things first, if you’re going to transport your equipment rental then you have to understand trailering regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) lays down the rules for transporting heavy equipment on trailers. Here are some of the most critical ones:
- When securing equipment over 10,000 lb, you must use a minimum of four tie downs.
- For machines less than 10,000 lb, two tie downs are required, one in the front and one in the back.
- Your tie downs must be rated to support a minimum of half the weight of the cargo. That means that if you use four tie downs to secure a 30,000 lb machine, those tie downs must each have a working load limit of 3,750 lb, for a total of 15,000 lb.
- For boom loaders and excavators, an extra tie down is required for the arm.
- If your equipment extends 4″ over the side of the trailer or 4′ beyond the rear, then oversized flags and lights at night are required.
It’s important to familiarize yourself with all FMCSA trailering regulations, as well as any applicable state and local regulations before transporting your heavy equipment rental.
Inspect your hauling equipment
According to the FMCSA, drivers preparing to transport equipment must closely inspect their hauling vehicle and be satisfied that it is in good working order before driving. Drivers are also required to inform the owner of the hauling equipment of any damage, defects, or deficiencies they found. Drivers should inspect the following before hitting the road:
- Service brake components that are readily visible to a driver performing as thorough a visual inspection as possible without physically going under the vehicle, and trailer brake connections
- Lighting devices and reflectors
- Tires
- Coupling devices
- Rails or support frames
- Tie-down bolsters
- Locking pins, clevises, clamps, or hooks
- Sliders or sliding frame lock
Tips for transporting equipment rentals
Once you understand the regulations for transporting your heavy equipment rental, follow these tips below to make sure things go as smoothly as possible.
- To ensure accident free equipment transport, always identify the exits before you enter an area with an equipment trailer. Anticipating your options for leaving a rental yard or jobsite is crucial, as turning around with a trailer may be impossible in small spaces.
- Ensure the equipment rental pickup and drop off sites are equipped with cones and adequate lighting to ensure smooth delivery.
- Going on the wrong route is the last thing you want during equipment transport. Use your GPS and plan the route ahead of time from the pickup point to the jobsite.
- Inspect the equipment unloading area to ensure it is free of hazards and obstructions.
- To avoid any accidents, install backup cameras on the equipment pickup and delivery vehicles and/or trailers.
- Before loading the rental equipment conduct a machine walkaround to ensure the it is free of any damage and fully functional.
- Preparation and road safety are key. Make sure your vehicle has jumper cables, shovels, brooms, flashlights, and adequate tread depth on its tires. Most importantly, ensure you comply with all the regulations stipulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
- The last thing you want is for your rental to slide off the trailer. Secure the equipment properly with at least four load securing devices. In addition, the driver should drive slowly and safely.
- Always make sure that the weight on your trailer is correctly distributed. At least 60% of the weight of the load should be in front of the trailer’s axles.
Ask about delivery services
If you don’t feel confident that you can transport your heavy equipment rental safely or properly, contact our rental team to ask about delivery services. We will work with you to get you the machine you need for the job!
