Tips for Transporting Heavy Machinery After an Auction Win

Heavy equipment shipping: 8 tips to make it plain sailing

Calculate the cost of transporting machinery before you bid

When bidding on heavy equipment or machinery, you should always factor in the cost of transportation before you make a bid. That will help you set a realistic budget and avoid a shock when the hammer falls.   

There are heavy equipment shipping marketplaces that allow you to compare quotes from different haulage companies, such as Shiply and uShip. They will be able to give you an estimate of the freight costs. 

You’ll need details of the size and weight of the equipment, which you will be able to get from the auctioneer. If the load is oversize, you’ll also need to consider the cost of things like escorting and routing surcharges.

Before bidding, you should also read the auction house's rules on equipment collection. You’ll usually be able to find the collection deadline in the auction catalogue or the terms and conditions. If you don’t collect the equipment by that deadline and haven’t agreed on an extension, you may have to pay a daily storage fee until you remove the items.  

Decide whether to transport the equipment yourself

It’s common to use a heavy machinery haulage company to transport the equipment, but some buyers choose to do it themselves. Although this approach is possible, it can be complicated and requires careful planning. 

You’ll need access to a vehicle that’s capable of transporting the machinery safely. If you don’t own one, some hire companies supply lorries and trailers designed for specific types of machinery and can advise you on which vehicle is suitable for your load.

The downside of this approach is that you’ll need to do all the work yourself. That includes:

• Checking if you need and applying for a permit for oversized equipment

• Securing the machine properly, addressing potential fluid leaks and lowering, locking or removing moving parts

• Planning your route to avoid narrow roads, low bridges and areas with weight restrictions and following approved routes if it’s an oversized load

• Hiring a driver if you do not have the relevant licence or experience

• Insuring the machinery in transit

That’s why most UK buyers use a specialist heavy haulage provider, particularly for large or high-value machinery. The provider will also handle permits, insurance, route planning and loading, making the process far less labour-intensive and stressful.  

Choose an appropriate transport method

The most appropriate method of transporting the machinery will depend on various factors, including:

• Its weight

• The overall dimensions (height, width and length)

• The type of machinery, its attachments and whether it has removable parts, such as buckets, arms or counterweights

• Its operational condition (for example, whether there are any fluid leaks or mechanical issues that need addressing)

You will be able to get all these details from the auctioneer. Your transport provider will then determine the appropriate vehicle and whether permits for oversized equipment are required to comply with UK road laws. 

If you’re transporting the machinery yourself, your options will include: 

• Flatbed trailers – Suitable for smaller machinery such as compact excavators or forklifts

• Step-frame or step-deck trailers – A good option when height restrictions are a concern

• Low-loader trailers – Commonly used for large plant equipment such as bulldozers, diggers and road rollers

• Specialist heavy haulage vehicles – Required for very large or heavyloads

Find the right carrier

Not all transport providers are equipped to handle oversized or high-value loads. You should ensure they have:

• An Operator’s Licence (O-Licence) issued by the Traffic Commissioner for the vehicle type and load weight

• Abnormal Load transport experience, if it applies to your load, and ask for details of previous successful hauls

• Permit management and route planning services for abnormal loads

• Escort vehicle coordination for wide, tall or heavy loads

• Comprehensive insurance coverage that protects the high-value equipment during transit

It’s also worth checking their customer testimonials and reviews, and ensuring they have clear procedures in place for load securing and handling delays.

Check whether you need permits for oversized equipment

The UK has clear legal limits for vehicles travelling on public roads. If the vehicle or its load exceeds the standard limits for length, width, weight or height, it will require a Special Transport or Abnormal Load permit. 

Permits for oversized equipment apply if the vehicle or its load exceeds:

• Width - 2.55 metres

• Weight - 44 tonnes

• Length - 12 metres for rigid vehicles, 16.5 metres for articulated vehicles and 18.75 metres for a vehicle and trailer 

• Height - 5 metres

The permit will specify the exact route, time and any escort requirements. Permits for small oversized loads are relatively inexpensive, but larger or more complex loads that require escorts, temporary road closures or special traffic management can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds. 

Heavy equipment shipping companies will usually handle all the permit applications and notifications on your behalf, with the cost included in their quote. However, make sure you clarify that upfront to avoid unexpected expenses. 

Prepare the machinery for transportation 

On the day, you must prepare the machinery before loading and transporting it from the auction site. If you use a third-party haulage provider, they will usually fold arms, lower booms, secure attachments and remove or lock any detachable or moving parts for you. 

They will also bring the chains, straps and wheel chocks to load it safely. If not, this will be your responsibility. It may also be necessary to drain fluids, such as fuel, oil and hydraulic fluids, to prevent spills. 

Plan the route carefully and monitor the load

Careful route planning is vital due to the narrow roads and low bridges in many parts of the UK. Experienced hauliers will plan the journey for you and use approved abnormal load routes where required. However, if you’re transporting the machinery yourself, you need to be aware of: 

• Bridge height and weight limits

• Narrow rural roads and residential areas

• Temporary roadworks and diversions

• Town centre restrictions and low-emission zones

• Time-of-day travel restrictions for abnormal loads

You should also monitor the equipment closely during the journey and check the tie-downs regularly to make sure nothing has loosened, shifted or become unsafe. 

Carry out a post-delivery inspection

Once the machinery arrives on site after an auction purchase, you should check its condition. First, you should inspect it for any dents, scratches or damage caused during transit to things like mirrors, lights, steps, guards, hydraulic hoses or exposed cables. 

If there is any damage, report it immediately to your heavy equipment shipping provider. It’s also worth photographing the equipment on arrival to create a clear record of its condition in case you need to raise any issues later. 

You should also check that the machine matches the auction listing and documentation, including the make, model and serial number, and that all the accessories or attachments included in the listing are present. 

Making machinery auctions easy for our buyers 

Transport and logistics should never be a barrier to buying at auction. At Eddisons Asset Auctions, we provide expert support and guidance throughout the process, including transport recommendations and collection appointments, so that you can bid with confidence. 

Browse our assets for sale, including our CNC machinery, construction plant and food processing machinery, and register to bid or get in touch to discuss your requirements with our team.