Moving heavy construction equipment is a challenging task that requires professional expertise and the right equipment. Every piece of construction material and machinery costs thousands of dollars. Damaging this could mean a significant financial loss to your construction company and setbacks in your project timeline. Hiring heavy equipment moving professionals is the best way to go about the relocation process, taking the work out of your hands and giving you peace of mind. This guide details choosing the right service to secure your construction equipment.
What to Expect When Working with Equipment Relocation Services
Setting expectations when working with equipment relocation services in Toronto ensures a smooth process. You can also use this information to narrow down your choices on which company to work with that meets those expectations.
The first thing you should expect when hiring equipment relocation services is that safety is prioritized. To ensure safety, equipment moving companies use specialist equipment and trained personnel to plan, manage, and handle the loading and unloading of construction equipment. The expertise of the personnel and the specialist equipment ensure that local regulations are complied with and the necessary permits can be obtained to prioritize safety. Their goal is to increase efficiency without compromising safety.
Another thing to expect when working with equipment relocation services in Toronto is clear communication. A professional equipment mover must regularly update you on the progress – from loading to transportation and unloading at the new site.
Finally, working with a construction equipment relocation service in Toronto provides added security with insurance coverage. This insurance policy offers added protection for your assets, giving you peace of mind and financial security against damage or unexpected delays.
With all these things considered, you can make an informed decision on choosing the best construction equipment relocation service in Toronto. In such a fast-paced industry, finding a reliable partner ensures you can meet project timelines and keep your equipment safe during transport.
Step-by-Step Guide to Moving Construction Equipment
While each construction equipment relocation service in Toronto has its unique flow of processes, this is your detailed guide on maintaining efficiency when having heavy equipment transported.
Step 1: Planning and Preparation
Before anything else, you should create an inventory of the construction equipment you need to relocate. In addition to the heavy equipment, make a list of the construction supplies and materials included in the move.
Creating an inventory as part of the planning process has two benefits. First, it allows you to note all equipment and supplies to be transported and double-check that they’ve all been safely transported to the new location. Second, it allows you to plan how to pack and load everything onto the transport vehicle while considering the size, weight, and type of items. Creating different categories of equipment and supplies helps plan what packing materials to use and the appropriate handling techniques.
Step 2: Prepare and Plan for the New Location
Moving construction equipment can be simple or complex depending on the new location, specifically its distance from the current site. Are you moving the construction equipment between two sites in the same construction location? Or are you moving to a different construction location that requires a much further trip?
Knowing the distance of the transport impacts the planning required for the move. There might be equipment and timing considerations for long-distance journeys.
Step 3: Timing the Move
Timing the construction equipment relocation process is critical because you’re not just moving from one site to another. You must consider the size and weight of the construction equipment and the risks posed to other road users. Therefore, you should plan for the relocation at less busy hours of the day to minimize encounters with other drivers and the public, which also reduces the risk of causing injury or damage.
Hence, the initial planning and inventory procedure is helpful in this regard because you can determine the corresponding risk of the move and plan for its timing accordingly. Aside from analyzing road and traffic conditions, your project timeline should be flexible enough to adapt to the weather conditions or potential roadblocks (such as road closures along your original route plan).
Step 4: Packing and Preparation for Loading
Construction equipment is heavy and bulky, so manual labor isn’t possible when loading it onto transport vehicles. For heavier items, such as steel beams or large components, you must employ forklifts or cranes to load them since they are too heavy to load manually. Using specialist equipment also saves time and increases efficiency.
Once the construction equipment and supplies are loaded onto the flatbed, the next task is to secure them. Tie down the large and bulky construction equipment using chains to prevent movement during transit. You should use proper packing materials to prevent damage to the equipment and supplies.
After loading the equipment and supplies, double-check the load capacity limit for the transport vehicles. You must abide by the weight requirements to ensure compliance and avoid stiff penalties.
Aside from securing the equipment and supplies, you should consider the concept of even weight distribution. Focus on building a stable base so that neither side is heavier or lighter than the other. This helps limit movement during transit and keep your items tightly secured.
Ensure you have a contingency plan if things don’t go as planned. Professional equipment movers will promptly communicate with your team if unexpected circumstances cause a delay. Everyone on the team should know the protocols and contingency plans should unexpected things arise.
Step 5: Unloading on New Site
Unloading and moving construction equipment to its new location can be just as challenging as loading and transporting it. You need a systematic approach to ensure you can remove any chains and packing materials from the equipment and supplies. In addition, you should use specialist equipment and tools to reassemble certain equipment on site.
Proper planning and coordination with a construction equipment relocation service in Toronto will facilitate a smooth construction plan. While there are many risks and challenges with moving construction equipment, you can ensure that the move goes off without a hitch!
