How to Transport Paving Slabs & Equipment

The difficulties in shipping paving equipment are alien to most contractors. The key to producing good-quality road work jobs is the equipment being ready to go. Heavy machinery is not the easiest thing to get across the country. However, you can make light work of heavy hauling with the right logistics partner on your side.

There are a wide variety of components to ensure shipping paving equipment meets the relevant standards. The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Lands Highway all need to comply to the letter when moving heavy machinery like paving equipment.

Let’s show you the breakdown of shipping paving equipment. 

Types of Paving Equipment

Paving machines are used to pave roadways, walkways, or parking areas and include various types of equipment to prepare asphalt, as well as the tasks associated with refurbishing or laying asphalt. There are three main types of paving equipment: track asphalt pavers, wheel asphalt pavers, and screeds: 

• Track pavers have steel tracks and offer considerable traction.
• Wheel pavers have wheeled undercarriages to improve mobility.
• Screeds are paving machines and using electrically-heated screed plates and variable-width adjustments, this minimizes handwork. 

Paving machines include:

• Asphalt milling machines, which look like road graders but are designed to grind the pavement and fix existing road conditions.
• Asphalt recyclers are used with asphalt milling machines and asphalt brooms and can comprise asphalt compactors, motor graders, rollers, and water tanks, and seal coaters. 

What Kind of Equipment is Used for Asphalt Paving?

There is a wide variety of equipment used to construct paving surfaces.

• Milling machines are used when paving surfaces to remove a top layer of the existing pavement. This is done to provide a smooth base for the new surface.. Milling helps to efficiently remove deteriorated pavement, provides a skid-resistant surface suitable for temporary measures, and allows curbs and gutter lines to be reestablished before additional overlays, such as Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA).
• Sweepers, which clean the surface of the road after milling to allow proper bonding between the asphalt and base course. 
• Dump trucks move hot asphalt to the job site, and from Bottom or Belly Dump to End Dump, as well as Live Bottom or Flo-Boy and Material Transfer Vehicles (MTV), there are a wide variety of types, depending on the surface.
• Asphalt pavers are a kind of lay-down machine with a floating screed. Asphalt pavers are usually self-propelled
• Compactors/Rollers, which apply their weight to the HMA surface and compress the material underneath the ground area, and the stress between the compressed material underneath the ground area and the uncompressed material produces the “shear rate.” 

What is Required to Ship an Asphalt Paving Machine?

To ensure equipment is shipped to new worksites effectively, there are numerous components that guarantee successful shipping. 

Trailers are the best method of transport. As most paving equipment needs transporting on a removable gooseneck (RGN) or drop-deck trailer, these are usually the best types to transport this kind of large, heavy equipment. There are certain items of paving equipment that may require a crane to load it aboard an RGN trailer, but an asphalt paving machine demands a specific set of requirements and equipment.

Equipment Needed to Ship Paving Equipment

There is a wide variety of equipment required to transport heavy duty paving equipment:

Flatbed Trailer

One of the most common forms of transportation for wide loads and is also used for awkward loads that don’t fit on other types of trailers. As the design allows the equipment to be loaded from a wide variety of angles, it makes the job easier for oversize or awkwardly shaped loads. Flatbed transportation is a widely used way to ship heavy equipment and machinery.

As they can be loaded to any degree of fullness, you can haul a wide variety of sizes across long distances. Types of flatbed trailers include legal flatbeds, step decks, and RGNs. A flatbed trailer cannot be longer than 53 feet. In most cases, flatbed trailers are 8.5′ wide and have a depth allowance of 8.5 feet. With these dimensions, the trailer can accommodate removable goosenecks (RGN), drop decks, and step decks. It can carry loads of equipment and machinery of up to 48,000 pounds. 

We make it easy to work with the best flatbed carriers on the road today. Explore our flatbed freight services.

Step Deck/Drop Deck Trailer

You might find a step deck/drop deck trailer similar to a flatbed. However, step deck/drop deck trailers have drop in the deck down that gives it an extra height. This allows extra security for transport. 

There are two types of steps on a drop deck trailer.  It can have one step, which is where the deck drops. This step stays flat for the rest of the trailer. Flatbeds and drop decks can carry serious weight. They can accommodate loads up to 48,000 lbs.

The other type of trailer is a double-drop trailer. With this kind of equipment, the deck falls below the axle height and then goes back up over the axles. There are two types of double drop trailers, Fixed Neck, where the neck is permanently attached to the well, and a Removable Gooseneck (RGN), where the neck is removable. Double drops are only used when the cargo is between 10 feet and 11.5 feet tall as the load needs to remain stable when it is so tall. Its max length is 53 ft, the max width is 8.5 ft and double drops are graded to carry loads up to  45,000 lbs. 

Removable Gooseneck Trailer (RGN)

These are widely used to transport oversize loads. Equipment that cannot be transported along regular highways means that an RGN allows the pieces of equipment to ride up. Its standard freight weight is 42,000 pounds but can go up to 150,000.

The trailer has a main deck length of 29 feet, deck width of 8 1/2 feet. The trailer’s main deck height is 11 1/2 feet. The front deck length is 10 feet, the front deck width is 8 1/2 feet, and the front deck height is 8 1/2 feet. The rear deck length is 9 feet, rear deck width is 8 1/2 feet and the rear deck height is 10 feet.

Are Permits Required to Ship Paving Equipment?

When it comes to transporting any sort of equipment, the wrong permit can have disastrous consequences. Using the wrong type of permit could result in enforcement action, travel restrictions, and extortionate fees applied to your business. The proper permits for each sort of load transport is crucial.

The most commonly required permits are those used for oversize transport or super-load transport. Generally speaking, the limits for a vehicle and cargo are 80,000lbs of weight, 53′ in length, 13.5″ high, and 8.5″ wide. Anything larger than these limits requires a permit to travel. 

However, the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations differs between states. Therefore, it is vital the right permits are acquired for every mile of your equipment’s journey. In Florida, for example, you can self-issue trip permits using an online system. The system is called the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)  Permit Application System (PAS). You can use this system for loads up to 16 feet wide, 18 feet high, 150 long and 200,000 pounds. But in other states, including New York, the permit types can vary depending on the direction of your travel, for example, whether it is downstate or statewide. You’ll need to take all these factors into account.

Each type of permit will require the driver to prove they have the right kind of cargo. While fees are often waived in certain U.S. states, like New Jersey, the wrong license type can result in unnecessary fees. In many states, applying for general single-trip costs $60, but there are additional highway maintenance fees for loads exceeding 80,000 lbs in certain locations, such as Texas. Overall, the cost depends on the size, weight, and mileage, and these all require due care and attention. Getting the wrong permit is bad news. Not only will be likely be subject to fines and penalties, but you might not even be able to reach your destination.

There are specific restrictions associated with the wrong permit, and there will be roads you cannot travel on legally. For example, a state-issued R permit means R-posted bridge roads are not allowed (unless the bridge has been waived by the state department). Therefore, the proper permits are essential. Traveling with an oversize load on the wrong road could cause disaster for a wide variety of reasons, such as a low bridge or narrow lanes which can damage the freight.

Additional regulations to consider include the Infrastructure Friendly (IFV) requirements. After January 1, 2020, all trucks, tractors, and trailers must have special clearance to travel under an overweight permit for a divisible load. If the driver carries the wrong permit, this could render the carrier’s insurance void. This depends on the states traveled. A few states, including Alabama, Montana and Virginia, require the insurance details to be sent to the state’s Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation, or Department of Motor Vehicles.

Many people feel they have the right permit, but it can be a headache to check. The state’s Department of Transportation can usually help with this, and changes to a permit can be made, although this is subject to a fee. 

A strategic heavy haul trucking like Heavy Haul and Oversized can help you make sense of state laws, regulations and permits. See how you can make light work of heavy hauling with the right partner on your side.

How to Ship Paving Equipment Across State Lines

Traveling across state lines is becoming more complex, so it is best to be prepared in case you are stopped. Getting into certain states is more difficult than others right now, so it is best to review the shipping lane and travel or transport restrictions. Apart from checking the local authorities and/or state guidelines, as well as ensuring the right permits are in place, it is a good idea to have the following:

1. Bill of Lading (BOL). This ensures that you can provide local authorities with proof the shipment is being transported. The BOL should contain all necessary information, such as the addresses, contents, and where it is being shipped from and to.
2. Current DOT and MC Authority. These legal operating documents need to be checked to guarantee they are active.

Every state has its own rules, regulations, and guidelines, and are constantly moving due to the current situation relating to COVID-19. 

Tips for Shipping Paving Equipment

Shipping paving equipment is not an easy task and requires a specific set of protocols to guarantee everyone is safe during the process. 

Preparation is vital, and safety measures need to be taken to avoid accidents, and should consist of the following:

• A documented risk assessment to prove how detailed your processes are.
• Providing sites with PPE (personal protective equipment), to guarantee the safety of the cargo and the workers as well as PPE documentation.
• Inspect the hauling capacities of the trailer, including tires, lights, brakes, tie-down points, and weight.

Loading heavy equipment safely is the next part, to guarantee you are reliably and legally transporting the equipment and should consist of the following:

• Designating duties, so everyone has a clear understanding of who is doing what. 
• Cleaning the ramp and trailer, to be free of dirt, oil, and debris.
• Clearing and leveling the loading area, to ensure a safe space to set up the ramp and load the equipment. 
• Lining up the ramp, where the equipment goes up the ramp and onto the deck.
• Chaining heavy equipment down, which should be compliant with state laws.

As vehicle accidents involving heavy cargo are on the rise, hauling the machinery long distances requires a significant amount of planning and should consist of the following:

• Map the best transport route, to guarantee a smooth journey, especially if there are major road works.   
• Immobilize the equipment wheel components, such as the parking brake.

• Use signs and flashing lights, as it is a major technical operation to transport equipment of this magnitude.
• Running document inspections during the first 50 miles of transport and then once every 150 miles or every 3 hours, to guarantee compliance while on the road. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Paving Equipment?

This is a wide-ranging answer. It depends on a wide variety of factors. It depends on where you are traveling, the roads you are using, as well as the state laws that you need to comply with. There are general shipping costs, but they can fluctuate depending on the items you are shipping. For example, shipping an engine would be cheaper than shipping heavy machinery, so this needs to be taken into account. But generally speaking, oversized loads are charged by the mile. 

This is why it’s important to get quotes to guarantee you are able to transport your paving equipment as safely and under budget as possible. Due to the size of the loads as well as the various safety issues, regulations need to be complied with. Shipping paving equipment or any oversized equipment is dangerous and complicated. Heavy Haul and Oversized makes it easy to get a hassle-free quote so you can get on with the task of finding the best services for your needs.

Shipping Paving Equipment with Heavy Haul and Oversized

When you are thinking about shipping paving equipment, as you can see, there is a lot to consider. It’s not just about ensuring you get from point A to point B, you need to guarantee you are compliant with a wide variety of regulations, but also make sure all of the legal hoops have been jumped through; and this is before you have even considered loading the equipment on to the truck! 

Needless to say, the entire process requires a considerable amount of preparation. When you’re choosing the right method to ship your paving equipment, you need to guarantee the company you are working with has an impeccable safety record, a good reputation, and is actually capable of doing the job, but are also fair in the prices they charge.

Hauling any equipment requires a considerable amount of experience and precision. It’s not an easy thing to do. It requires so much in the way of logistics, that not many shipping companies can do it properly. It’s important to remember that when partnering up with a company that specializes in shipping paving equipment and logistics practices, you trust their abilities to deal with every step. 

Many companies fall flat when it comes to one aspect, whether this is the rules and regulations side of things or improper in their safety prep, or they just don’t have the capabilities to do the job. Here at Heavy Haul and Oversized, we can handle the legwork and help you with every aspect of your planning and preparation to guarantee that when shipping paving equipment, you get the job done to your specifications. It is not a straightforward practice, as you can see. Get in contact with us today at (855) 490-2433 or complete our shipping quote request form to get started on your journey.