Careful planning and execution are integral aspects that towing contractors must consider if injuries, accidents, and deaths are to be avoided. Such contractors are relied upon to ship heavy machinery such as forklifts and excavators to any destination in Australia. Notably, new contractors who wish to provide machinery transport services need some valuable tips to help then navigate the industry. This guide will assist new hauling contractors in ensuring road safety.

Roping and Stability -- Even though there are fewer incidences related to loss of heavy machinery while in transit, caution should not be thrown to the wind. Follow the federal or state guidelines related to securing over-dimensional and heavy loads such as construction equipment.  Therefore, when loading and securing any forklift, have the weight distributed evenly by centring the equipment. Use extra straps and chains to secure the forklift at every node, especially if you plan to go off-road. A dolly knot or double dolly is recommended when tautness in the roping is desirable. Balancing the weight increases stability and reduces the likelihood of the forklift swaying when the trailer makes a turn. As a result, you avert potential accidents that might cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in liabilities and lost business.   

Varied Fleet -- Forklifts vary in size and dimension; thus, one type of haulage trailer might not be suitable for all kinds of forklift transportation needs. Furthermore, axle configuration types differ to match several heavy and over-dimensional loads, including forklifts. For example, a flatbed trailer, which has an open platform with no roof, walls, or rails can handle almost any type of a forklift. However, you need to cover some forklifts with a tarp, a process referred to as sheeting, to prevent damage to fragile parts by the elements. Also, loading and unloading a flatbed is faster compared to other trailers. Therefore, by choosing the right trailer for the job, transporters ensure that a forklift will arrive at a job site intact.

Regulatory Requirements -- Transporting over-sized forklifts requires the driver to be familiar with the regulatory environment in every state or territory where the load will travel. Furthermore, when hauling a forklift within a state, local laws apply. For example, in Western Australia, all heavy vehicle operators are regulated by the Heavy Vehicle Services (HVS) under the Department of Transport. The first place to start is to visit state websites for information regarding haulage of heavy and over-dimensional equipment. Moreover, you avoid hefty fines when you do your research in advance.