Shipping heavy equipment from Boise to Boston

Shipping heavy equipment from Boise to Boston can seem like an incredibly big task to anyone who didn’t have contact with freight shipping companies. However, it is not only possible, but it is a rather easy one if you know what you’re doing. People are shipping all kinds of heavy items all around the world every day. Tractors, backhoes, even whole factories are being transported all the time. In essence, it is a carefully choreographed dance of freight brokers, shipping companies, governments, and freight haulers. So, keeping everything in the right order does seek some experience and knowledge.

On the other hand, in this particular case, things aren’t that complicated. That’s why we have decided to write this guide and try to bring you a step closer to joining the heavy machinery shipping club. Here’s what you need to know.

Method of shipping heavy equipment

As you probably already know, shipping heavy equipment is not a new phenomenon, so there are many options available for you to choose from. You can even get shipping companies to bid on your shipment which doesn’t happen in other spheres of the business.

Of course, all of these companies have their history and reputations which are available online. So, choosing a suitable one shouldn’t be a big problem even if you do it while you’re preparing your car for the move. On the other hand, it’s always a smart idea to get some verbal references from previous clients. Hearing other people’s experiences can only help you to make the right decision.

Another important aspect of this task is choosing how exactly it will be done. There are many paths you can follow here, but in general, it will be determined by the shape and size of the object you want to transport. We have listed four ways that are most commonly used by today’s professionals.

Container shipping

For decades now this has been a standard in the industry and probably is a way in which you will be shipping heavy equipment from Boise to Boston. Container shipping allows easy and quick loading and unloading of freight trucks. However, our professionals from Peasley Transfer & Storage Idaho tell us that that’s only one of the reasons why it’s so popular. Having the standards sizes of twenty or forty-foot containers also makes the job easier. Problems usually occur if the equipment is too big to fit in them. This may result in a need to disassemble the machinery, and our advice is to do it if possible.

Although pros usually overcome the cons here, the time you may need to do the task of disassembling can be overwhelming. Luckily, there are other methods you can look into.

Lift-on/Lift-off

LoLo, how professionals often call it, is the practice of using cranes to lift the machinery onto the shipping vehicle and for taking it off. In theory, it should be a very simple task to complete, but the reality is often different. The first thing is that you’ll need a crane capable of moving what you have on your hand in both Boise and Boston. Additionally, you’ll need a crew that is trained for operating the crane.

What all of this means is that the cost goes up pretty quickly. Especially when you know that Boston is one of the priciest cities in the US. However, these costs can be easily avoided if your equipment has the ability to roll. 

Roll-on/Roll-off

Now, RoRo is definitely the easiest way to load and ship equipment. But, as we already mentioned, the thing you want to ship has to have the ability to roll. This works great for any kind of wheeled heavy machinery regardless of the vehicle you’re using for transporting it. The ability will save you both time and money and we all know how important that is in today’s world. You don’t need a specialized crew for this type of relocation, but there are some downsides.

Namely, wheeled machinery tends to take a lot of space. So, there’s a logistical problem of stacking them to maximize the space. If you have something like this on your hands, be sure to get some help from specialized personnel. 

Flat rack shipping

Flat rack containers solve the problem of stacking as well as the problem of trailer compatibility when shipping heavy equipment from Boise to Boston. It is simply a container without sides or a roof. This allows the shipper to stack it on top of something else without restrictions besides the road rules. You’d be surprised how common this practice is among professionals.

However, as with any other method of transport, there are some downsides. The biggest one among them is leaving your heavy, and often very expensive machinery, exposed to the elements. On the other hand, this downside can be reduced with careful packing beforehand. But, it will increase the price. And since we’re talking about the money…

Cost

The cost of shipping this kind of equipment is defined by multiple factors. The most important ones are the density, priority, and insurance.

Density is a standard measurement in the shipping world that defines the weight and size of the object you’re transporting. It is a big factor in determining the price as well as in deciding on a method.

The priority can also be a big aspect when it comes to cost, but only if your shipment is urgent. Naturally, it will cost more to organize everything on short notice. However, since technology has changed global shipping a lot, you shouldn’t let yourself wait for too long before contacting the freight company. Call them as soon as you know what you need to transport. 

And the last thing is insurance. We can’t stress enough how important this is when shipping heavy equipment from Boise to Boston. No matter the urgency, or the experience your movers have, accidents do occur. And the possibility only increases with the increase in size. So, be sure to get the best insurance you can find.