No project can really start until the machinery arrives and is fired up. That's why load securement is step number one in transporting heavy construction machinery. Assets can be damaged or destroyed, employees can be injured or worse during either loading or unloading, so hauling contractors cannot risk taking safety precautions lightly.
There are endless sources for solid information on proper load mobilization, starting with the USDOT.
That's why there's no excuse for cutting corners during such a critical phase of the construction project.
Check Your Risk at the Door
Thompson Tractor advises customers to start the hauling process by performing a documented risk assessment.
In an article on the company website, Thompson defined risk assessments as "preemptive compliance documents." These documents help contractors show how detailed and thorough their fleet management processes are.
"They can be done by a senior manager or supervisor, containing the total operation and transportation timeline and its weight loads."
Inspecting the hauling capacity of the transport vehicle — truck or trailer — is the next task to be completed. Assess tire condition for pressure.
"Multi-ton machines take a toll on tire air pressure and will quickly deflate any that are already weak," said Thompson.
The truck or trailer's front and rear brake lights should work without a hitch, stressed the company. Like tires, brakes can be affected by oversized loads, compromising their effectiveness. It's key to assure brake functions and components are working.
Tie-down points should be checked for the load's required point number, securement condition and spacing, said Thompson.
"Most states' standards mandate a minimum of four tie-down points for loads exceeding 10,000 lbs."
Each tie-down point must have its own binder or boomer and individual chains connected to trailer hitch points.
"These boomers are responsible for supplying the tension to tighten the actual chain connection," said Thompson, "and … should be inspected themselves."
Finally, confirm the tie-down working load limits add up to at least half of the total weight of the load, advised Thompson.
"Any machine with attachments or appendages must have those attachments dislodged and separately secured."
That means, then, a minimum of five tie-down points.
Loading Equipment Is No Walk in the Park
When it comes to safely loading heavy equipment, remember that a load is only as strong as its weakest link, stressed Thompson.
"Weak links often happen because the process was rushed or done halfheartedly," said the equipment dealer.
There are actually "a few more points of consideration to ensure you reliably and legally transport heavy cargo," Thompson said in the website article.
Here are the safety measures the dealer suggests contractors refer to for secure loading operations:
1. Designate Responsibilities
"You'll need someone to drive the equipment onto the deck … [and] a spotter to deliver hand signals and direct the driver up the ramp and onto the trailer bed."
That's because the equipment operator will more than likely not have a clear line of sight to do so themselves, said Thompson.
"No drifting personnel or other vehicles should interrupt loading operations, which are generally unsafe to stop once they have started."
2. Clean the Ramp and Trailer
Ramps and trailer decks should be as dirt-, oil- and debris-free as possible, especially if they are metal, Thompson advised.
"This ensures the piece of loading equipment has as much traction as possible to move up its ramp."
A clean ramp and trailer bed also should be dry and clear of ice, snow and water, noted the company.
"If you are still concerned about equipment smoothly moving up ramps, consider employing ramp friction devices during this step."
3. Clear and Level the Loading Area
Thompson advises contractors to pick an uninhabited and even space to set up the ramp and perform heavy equipment loading.
Also, ensure the actual ground in the loading area is compact enough to bear the total weight of the loaded trailer, Thompson said in its website article.
"After rain or during seasons with thaw, the combined weight of these two vehicles can cause sinkage."
4. Begin the Machine/Ramp Line-Up
Slow and steady are key to machine/ramp line-up, with the driver in the cab and a spotter positioned in plain view. Only then should the operator begin driving the heavy equipment up the cleared ramp and onto the transportation vehicle's deck.
"Note that the machine's center of gravity will shift during this ramp movement," said Thompson.
"This is the most dangerous part of the loading process, with the equipment's weight caught momentarily in a point of limbo." Just keep moving gradually.
When appropriately positioned on deck, most of the equipment's weight should be distributed toward the front of the trailer to avoid fishtailing en route.
5. Start Chaining Down Heavy Equipment
The contractor absolutely must check state laws on securing heavy equipment during public highway transportation, advised Thompson.
While the four to five tie-down points are near-universal, each state has additional oversized cargo restrictions and regulations to respect.
"With the heavy equipment safely positioned on the deck, you can initiate one of the most critical steps … tying it down."
Three chaining concerns are:
• Tight, secure chains: Your chain should have no room for movement. Equipment shouldn't be able to bounce or shift during transport.
• Properly located tie-down points: Most manufacturers will create labels for the tie-down points to make them easier to follow. Be especially careful if these are by a machine's hydraulic hoses, cylinders or brake components, though. Thompson noted that tying down heavy equipment at appropriate points prevents equipment damage and ensures the tightest, most compliant links.
• Adequately matched chain and hook binder grades: If you look closely at every four or five chain links, you'll find a number etched into the metal. Cross-reference that number with the one printed on the boomer handle, ensuring they're aligned.
"The sum of the working load limits of all your tie-down components must equal at least 50 percent of the weight of the cargo," said Thompson. "Always ensure the chain's grade and working load limit don't exceed the boomers' listed limit.
Additional reminders include:
• All chains should be fastened linearly, with downward force, with no horizontal twists, bends or angles.
• No slack. Wrap the excess chain around the rest of the link so it won't come loose.
• At least four chains in use. Use two connecting to the trailer's front corners and two to the trailer's back corners.
• Always review chain and hook sizes. Guarantee they're complementary and tight, not mismatched.
More Than Just Reversing the Order
Safely unloading construction equipment rounds out the compliant transportation process, said Thompson.
Before your transportation vehicle arrives and the equipment is unloaded, inspect the designated unloading area to ensure it's clear and ready for unloading. Uneven loading grounds and slick ramps can make unloading more challenging than expected. Do more than just clear any obstacles, debris or dirt.
Personnel also should be aware of cargo schedules, so only relevant crew members are present when heavy equipment arrives, advised Thompson.
Once your transport vehicle arrives, guide it to the correct unloading site. Have the unloading ramp ready for deployment. But do conduct an additional visual inspection to ensure the loading ramp is clean and ready to go.
Once the ramp is ready, line it up with the back of the trailer bed as accurately as possible, advised Thompson.
"You won't have time to reposition once the machinery starts backing up," the Cat dealer added. "Once you have everything in place, conduct a final walkthrough to better understand your equipment's condition."
Check the hitches and tires. Review tasks with personnel, appointing an equipment operator and spotter before breaking down tie points.
"Look at the condition of the tie points before you move forward with the unloading," advised Thompson. "A shifted load can create a hazard."
If you've found that the load has shifted, hold off on undoing any chains or straps until you create a customized unloading plan.
After the walkthrough and confirmation that everything is in good order, slowly release tie-bounds and chains, Thompson said.
Begin one at a time, starting in the rear corners. If any chains are wrapped around the links, unravel them and loosen them with their wrench boomers.
"Use caution when starting this process since any chains can still be tight or pressurized," said the company. Moving too quickly can cause a chain to snap.
"As you unload equipment, remember to take it slowly and to keep a safe distance between the spotter and the machinery," advised the equipment provider.
In unloading, the operator's visibility can decrease until the equipment is fully unloaded. Ensure the spotter is positioned in a highly visible but safe area.
Other personnel should vacate the unloading site until the machinery has finished unloading.
All eyes should be on removing the rig from the transport truck, stressed Thompson.
Finally, complete one last ground inspection of all equipment, the transport vehicle, anchor points and tools before sending everyone on their way.
The contractor also should document the conclusion of the transport — and pat yourself on the back for successfully completing the safe and legal transport of heavy cargo," said Thompson. CEG
