Many sectors, like manufacturing, mining, and construction, involve the movement of heavy machinery. However, heavy hauling such as industrial equipment isn’t as easy as transporting traditional goods. A small mistake can pose significant safety risks, incur costly damages, and cause project delays. This intricacy of heavy hauling may leave you wondering about the price machinery movers may charge for transporting your equipment.
But there’s nothing to worry about! We are going to discuss how much it costs to move heavy machinery in Canada. Let’s begin!
How Much Does It Cost to Move Heavy Machinery?
Machinery movers usually charge hourly rates, which can vary depending on the company and the specifics of the job. Additionally, for heavy industry or commercial equipment relocation, costs can fluctuate considerably depending on location, size and weight of the equipment to be moved, covering expenses for transportation, insurance, installation and relocation services.
Let’s discuss these factors one by one;
Distance and Location
The distance between the current location and destination greatly impacts the overall charges of machinery movers. Longer distances translate to high moving costs due to extensive labour hours and more fuel consumption.
In addition, the accessibility and the condition of the terrain are important considerations. For instance, if the terrain is damaged or the route is congested, the driver will spend more hours on the road, ultimately increasing overall transportation costs for a forklift.
Size, Weight, and Complexity
The size and weight of the heavy equipment also influence the transportation cost. Larger and heavier machinery generally requires specialized transportation equipment, such as flatbed trailers, trucks, forklift, or even cranes. This results in higher rental fees, making shipping large machinery expensive.
Machinery Moving Equipment and Resources
The type of equipment and resources used to move your machinery from one place to another also impacts the overall moving cost.
For instance, if the load is exceptionally heavy, it may require the usage of cranes, heavy-duty trailers, or custom-built transport. Each of these resources comes with its own set of costs, such as rental fees and fuel and maintenance charges.
Here’s an overview that will help you understand it better:
- Towing Trailers: These are an affordable option for carrying medium-sized equipment, such as farm or agricultural equipment.
- Flatbed Trailers: These are more expensive than towing trailers and suitable for carrying heavy load equipment that weighs up to 48,000 pounds, like construction equipment.
- Removable Gooseneck Trailers: These can carry up to 150,000 pounds and require specialized staff training for proper operation. They are more expensive than towing and flatbed trailers and may also require additional maintenance fees.
Labour and Personnel Costs
If the machinery is quite large and complex, it may require more labour for loading, securing, and unloading. Moreover, longer moves require the labour to stay on the road for a long time, which results in high hourly labour rates.
Additional Services and Considerations
Machinery moving companies offer various add-ons such as storage, assembly, and disassembly. If you opt to include any of these features in your moving package, you have to pay an extra fee to machinery movers. Other factors, like insurance and whether your load requires a permit, also impact the overall pricing for transporting your equipment.
Cost Comparison and Budgeting
You must compare quotes from various movers to ensure you get the best affordable deal. Some strategies that you should adopt in this case are:
- Start your research at least a few weeks before the day machinery moves. Get at least three quotes from different movers to get an idea of industry pricing.
- Ask the machinery movers to clearly mention all hidden fees and additional charges so you don’t fall victim to more expenses later.
- Don’t be fooled by terms like “budget-friendly moving.” Instead, find if the services they are offering are binding, non-binding, or binding-not-to-exceed.
Conclusion
Various factors influence the overall cost of moving heavy machinery. These range from distance, terrain condition, weight and size of the equipment, and labour cost. To ensure an affordable moving experience, you should get quotes from at least three movers and check the type of services they offer – binding, non-binding, or binding-not-to-exceed.
If you are looking for a cost-saving mover to transport your heavy equipment, contact Solid Hook. We move your equipment safely and precisely, providing competitive rates and reliable service tailored to your specific needs.
