Moving heavy machinery over long distances poses some unique challenges. While it's easy enough to overcome these challenges during good weather, it's a different story when cold weather sets in.
There are some specific steps you must take when transporting heavy equipment in cold weather. Proper cold weather transportation techniques will help you ensure that your vital equipment arrives at a new job site in good condition and ready to work.
1. Empty All Fluids
All of the fluids must be emptied from each piece of equipment you plan to transport during cold weather.
Draining out the oil, antifreeze, hydraulic fluids, and other liquids from your machinery prior to transport serves two purposes.
First, it eliminates the risk of having these liquids spill when you encounter rough winter roads. Second, it prevents liquids from freezing and expanding, which could cause permanent damage to your heavy equipment.
Take the time to drain all the liquids from your machines before loading them onto trailers for transport in cold weather.
2. Protect Electronic Components
Modern equipment typically features electronic components designed to make each machine easier to operate.
Electronic controls can be beneficial, but they require special handling when you are transporting your heavy equipment in cold weather. Many of the screens, switches, and displays included in electronic control panels can be negatively affected by low temperatures.
You will need to insulate all electronic components to ensure they remain warm during transit.
3. Cover All Equipment
Open-air transport works fine in warm weather. There is no risk of having snow or ice damage your heavy equipment when you are moving it from one place to another during the warm months.
As soon as you have to transport your equipment in cold weather, you must take the time to cover all elements prior to transit.
If it's possible to disassemble your equipment so that all elements fit into an enclosed trailer, this is the best way to transport equipment in cold weather.
If you are unable to utilize an enclosed trailer, you should secure heavy-duty tarps that are large enough to cover each piece of equipment you plan to move.
These tarps will help protect your equipment against the elements and prevent any damage from occurring during transit.
Moving heavy equipment requires careful planning and preparation. Be sure that you are taking all of the precautions necessary to protect your heavy equipment against damage when transporting machinery in cold weather.
Contact a heavy equipment transportation service for more information.
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