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Natasha Post, Author
TractorTransport.com
Tractor tires can measure about 23.5 by 25 feet and weigh anywhere between 400 to 1000 lbs. each. While you require a standard shipping carrier to transport smaller tires, shipping oversize and overweight tractor tires requires you to partner with an experienced heavy-freight hauling company. This guide provides you with insights into how logistics professionals load tires on trailers, the safety precautions for loading, and some tips for selecting an experienced shipper.
Loading and Securing Tractor Tires For a Safe Transport
Before loading the tractor tires, it is crucial to choose the right trailer for the job. Tractor tires measure about 10 -14 inches, and considering they’re transported horizontally in pairs; it means the height doesn’t pose much concern during transportation. A drop deck trailer is an ideal rig to use when transporting colossal tractor tires. Their drop-deck design allows shipping professionals to ship the tires securely.
Our shipping professionals will strap the tires on a pallet for easy loading and unloading. The pallets can potentially increase cargo height, and that’s why heavy-equipment haulers use drop deck trailers. Their design offers better clearance for size, allowing smooth and stable shipping. It’s critical to verify what type of forklifts your potential shipper uses because many forklift operators push the forks through tires, damaging the tire bead. Ensure they have equipment that clamps outside the tire to preserve the cargo’s structural integrity.
Safety Tips When Loading Tractor Tires Using a Forklift for Loading
The tractor-tire loading process is as crucial as a shipment’s planning stage. That’s when the cargo is hoisted to the trailer and transported to the intended destination. Danger lurks when loading heavy-freight using a forklift, and any mistake can lead to injuries and cargo damage. Here are some practical safety tips when loading tractor tires on a trailer using a forklift.
Choose the Right Forklift for Loading Tractor Tires
Besides choosing a forklift with clamps to hold the outside of the tires, you also need to select equipment with a suitable carrying capacity. It’s equally crucial to ensure that the trailer’s height allows for the use of a forklift. It would be best to check that your shipping company has four-wheeled forklifts, as these can carry a bigger load as tractor tires.
Are the Tires Secured on the Trailer
Before moving the loaded forklift on a trailer, it is essential to ensure the trailer is firmly secured to the ground. If it’s connected to a cab, ensure the brakes are engaged and tires blocked. If it doesn’t have a vehicle, the fixed jacks holding the trailer to the ground must be steady to prevent it from tilting during loading. Moreover, the operator must center the load on the forklift and the must bent backward for enhanced stability.
The loading process must be steeped in safety protocols, and the shipping company can ensure that by allowing their machine operators to undergo safety training in various fields, including:
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- Communication Systems
- Trailer Securement Process
- Wheel Chocks
- Loading and Unloading
- Removing Cargo
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Essential Tips for Choosing the Right Tractor-Tire Hauling Company
When selecting a hauling company, it is critical first to understand what you’re getting into. Some clients have been duped into choosing cheap shipping services only to become victims of unscrupulous and unavailable shippers. Ask your prospective shipping company for a breakdown of the services vs price. Furthermore, don’t agree to anything over the phone. Instead, have it written down and read it before signing.
Accidents might happen during the transportation, and your tractor tire might get damaged. You don’t want a shipper who’ll leave you stranded all alone to clean the mess. If possible, ask your potential heavy hauler about the insurance options for your cargo. If they can’t provide your shipment’s worth of coverage, then find another transport company.
Does Your Shipper Have a Plan B? Circumstances may change and ruin the initial shipping plan. A seasoned shipping company must anticipate any unforeseen situations, such as a change in logistics. Ensure your heavy-cargo shipper has an alternative plan to ensure you don’t end up spending significantly on emergency transportation solutions.