Preparing For Heavy Equipment Shipping

Moving house to another city or state can be a hassle, what with shipping furniture, transporting fragile items and vehicle shipping. Moving business equipment can be equally stressful. A construction company that needs to move heavy equipment like forklifts, backhoes and cranes may have to do a lot of work prior to shipping the equipment. Moving the company truck does not have to involve a lot of stress.

There are certain steps that you can take to facilitate a hassle-free vehicle transport.
Call the shipping company well in advance to book the transport. This ensures that your utility automobile or truck is picked up and delivered promptly.

Have your truck inspected prior to shipping. This lets you know the exact condition of the transport equipment and the condition you should expect it in when it reaches its destination. Cleaning your vehicle allows for more efficient, more accurate inspection.

As part of your business assets, your vehicles need insurance against damage and loss. Shipping companies provide insurance for the automobiles they transport. Check your options and decide if you need to get extra insurance coverage.

Opt for a door-to-door delivery service that picks up your automobile right at your location or at the nearest possible area where you can watch the pick-up. This way, you can oversee the loading process and be assured that your vehicle is handled carefully.

Most shipping companies can take between 10 days and two weeks to move your specialty equipment or truck. If you need a faster transit time, talk to the shipping company to get a quote.
Some vehicle shipping companies would ask for a full payment up front, while some would require a deposit, with the rest of the payment made upon delivery of the truck. A shipping company that can give you both options will give you more flexibility.

Preparing in advance when you move your heavy vehicle can give you peace of mind and a stress-free automobile transport experience.

All Auto Shipping offers vehicle shipping services for large, specialized equipment and vehicles, including forklifts, tractors, trailers and industrial equipment. It also provides auto shipping services for cars, as well as other motorized vehicles. call 504-428-6170.

Looking for Good Freight Broker??

The transportation industry is highly fragmented. There are thousands of trucking companies, freight brokers, and freight forwarders. Some are large logistics companies with many different services such as 3pl, heavy haul shipping, van shipping and warehousing. Most companies though are small businesses who specialize in one or two services.

Logistics companies tend to be either “asset based” or “non asset based”. Asset based carriers own their own tractors, trailers, warehouses, or other equipment. Non Asset based typically are freight brokers and freight forwarders. There are advantages and disadvantages to working with both.

Asset based carriers come big and small. Most small carriers align themselves with larger carriers to feed them business. This relationship works out well for both companies, as the larger carriers can fill gaps in their capacity and the smaller carriers don't need to spend as much effort finding freight. Smaller carriers tend to specialize in certain geographies, or certain types of equipment such as rgn's which are capable of heavy equipment hauling.

Larger asset based carriers tend to cater to larger businesses whose needs demand quite a bit of capacity and dedicated equipment. Smaller carriers are better fits for smaller businesses with less frequent or more irregular scheduling needs.

Large non asset based logistics companies prefer working with larger businesses as it is more cost effective to have fewer staff selling to fewer companies with larger needs. Smaller non asset based logistics companies are more able meet the needs of smaller businesses who may have fewer transportation service requirements.

Matching freight that needs to be shipped with trucks that are available at the right time in the right place is sometimes very challenging. The laws of supply and demand come into play when trying to ship truckload freight. As a result freight quotes and freight costs can swing wildly at times.

The cost of freight shipping is determined by supply and demand, fuel costs, seasonality among other factors. One week your truckload shipping might cost $1,000. The next week it might cost $1,500. This can be caused by a single company who may have completed a large production run creating great demand for trucks in a certain location. Alternatively, freight rates can drop dramatically if there is a lack of freight in a certain location.

A good freight broker like RM Logistics can help smaller businesses match their freight needs with market conditions.

Finding a Good Logisitc Company

If you are a manufacturer, distributor or company who needs their equipment moved around the country, controlling transportation costs is a big concern. For some companies, transportation expenses can reach 15% or more of total expenses. Fortunately there are some actions you can take to keep these costs under control.

Seek a reliable logistics company. A good logistics company will be able to provide competitive freight quotes and assist in managing your costs whether you need truckload shipping or LTL services.

Consider the hidden transportation costs. Sometimes the lowest freight quote is not the best option. If the logistics company cannot produce a truck when you need it, your customer does not receive their order on time, or your shipment gets damaged in transit, the actual cost of trying to save a little money is greater than the savings.

Plan ahead. If you need a truck immediately, truckload shipping quotes are likely to be very high as finding the right truck in your area at the right time can be difficult. At times there can be a bidding war for transportation services if many companies need to ship their freight at the same time and there are not enough trucks in the area.

Be flexible. Having time to work with allows logistics companies to find truckload carriers who will move your freight shipments at more reasonable rates as they can then plan their capacity more reliably.

Use a credible logistics company. There are thousands of logistics companies in the industry. A little known fact is that many logistics providers have poor credit or do not pay the trucking companies they contract with. This makes it very difficult for them to find you trucks when you need them and will need to give you higher freight rates so they can attract a truckload carrier that is willing to work with them.

Use a knowledgeable logistics company. An experienced logistics provider can offer services and advise that will save you money by capitalizing on their expertise. They can review your transportation costs and identify ways to reduce your freight shipping expense.

A reliable logistics company such as RM Logistics can help you manage your transportation budget.

Choosing a Transportation Company

The transportation industry is huge. Virtually every business eventuallhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gify has a need for transportation services be it small package delivery or heavy equipment shipping. There are literally thousands of logistics companies big and small who can provide you with freight services. Choosing a reliable freight company can be a daunting task but there are some things to keep in mind that will help quickly narrow the options.

Biggest isn't always best: While large transportation companies can handle a wide variety of needs, your company's needs may not be so complex. If you spend $100,000 per year you are not likely to be considered a top account by a large logistics company, and therefore are not likely to receive much attention or even be http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifable to take advantage of programs that may be in place for $1,000,000 spenders. If you encounter a problem with a shipment you may get lost in the shuffle. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Licensing: This may not be well known but the transportation industry is regulated. Every business that wish to provide transportation services are required to be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. In addition to being responsible for the safety of the roads, drivers, and your merchandise, the FMCSA requires freight brokers, freight forwarders, and other businesses that don't own trucks to be licensed and bonded. This is to protect the integrity of the industry. Optionally logistics companies can opt to be members of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA). This organization is committed to a code of ethics to be followed.

Safety: Recently the Federal government has tightened up safety standards to reduce accident risk. This means that drivers and transportation carriers are scored on their performance. Drivers who don't meet certain scores can have their license revoked and no longer be authorized to transport your goods. This is something you may never become aware of but a reputable logistics company will only work with drivers that are approved to transport goods safely.

Pricing – Cheapest isn't always best: When shopping around for a logistics company, the company that provides a freight quote that is substantially below other providers may be doing so for a reason. While not always that case, the logistics company me be working with unlicensed carriers who are willing to work for less in order to pay the bills. Or, they may be quoting an unrealistically low price in order to earn your business without being able to deliver a truck, in hopes you will stay with them and pay a market price to actually get your shipment moved.

A quality logistics company such as RM Logistics is large enough to handle most or all of your needs yet small enough to provide you with personalized service so your interests will be kept in mind. The will only work with properly licensed carriers and are members of the TIA so you know you are working with a reputable company. RM Logistics also offers competitive pricing so they are a good option for your short list of logistics companies.

Exporting Heavy Equipment

Heavy equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, backhoes, and other construction or farm equipment typically is less expensive to purchase in the USA than in other markets. With good deals on new equipment there is no shortage of used equipment available for sale. This equipment is typically auctioned off at specialized auction houses such as Ritchie Brothers or Iron Planet.

There is a growing market for exporting this equipment to markets in South America, Africa, and the Middle East where the equipment can be put to good use or resold for a profit.

When bidding on heavy equipment for export, be sure and take into account all of your transportation costs. Your bargain purchase may well end up costing 3 or 4 times the purchase price if not done efficiently. You should factor in relevant costs such as dismantling, shipping to the port, permits, escorts, port fees, documentation, ocean freight, duties, taxes, insurance and other costs. You also need to consider the time it takes to get your purchase to it's destination.

A logistics company experienced in exporting heavy equipment such as RM Logistics can make the transportation of your purchase smooth and cost effective. They have the equipment, resources and expertise to determine the lowest cost routing to your destination. They can find alternate ports that will save you money on both your inland freight as well as the ocean portion.

Whether your equipment will fit in a container or needs roll on roll off service RM Logistics can get your heavy equipment exported seamlessly. With partner offices worldwide RM Logistics can ship your heavy equipment virtually anywhere.

Contact RM Logistics today for a free consultation or freight quote.

RM Logistics LLC a Heavy Equipment Shipping Company
866 524 8805

LTL Freight

When shipping freight, you have a large number of shipping companies to choose from and the selection process can be daunting. LTL freight shipping can be even more challenging.

LTL freight is a shipment that is too large for a small package carrier such as Fedex or UPS to handle, and too small for a dedicated truckload. Typically LTL freight is packed on pallets but they can also be packed in crates, boxes, drums, rolls or other types of pacakging. Generally speaking, if the package is larger than 150 lbs it is best to ship it with an LTL shipper.

Cost is only one consideration when selecting an LTL shipper. Some LTL carriers will only offer certain services which may or may not meet your needs. If your business does not have a dock, if you are shipping or picking up at a residence, if your LTL freight requires an inside delivery, then some LTL companies may not be able to service your needs. Additional charges may apply for these services. They are called accessorial charges.

If your LTL shipment has special requirements such as a non-standard shape, you will need to know which LTL company will be able to handle this type of shipment.
The cost of shipping your LTL shipment is determined by a number of factors including distance, density of the freight, type of commodity, and value of the shipment. Density is the amount of space the shipment takes up on an LTL truckrelative to its weight. Depending on the value of your shipment, you may want to consider purchasing additional insurance. Although loss or damage likelihood is low, LTL carriers usually will only insure shipments up to a certain amount. If your shipment is of high value, be sure and check to see what amount the shipment is insured for. You can request additional insurance for a small fee if necessary.
Expedited LTL shipments are also possible. Same day or next day service is available but will carry a premium.

A company that specializes in LTL freight such as RM Logistics will be able to determine the best and most cost-effective way to ship your LTL cargo. Additionally, a good LTL company will have excellent negotiated rates in place with numerous LTL carriers so they can pass the savings on to you, whether you are an occasional or a large volume shipper.

Heavy Equipment Shipping Service in the United States

Construction season is upon us. Whether you are gearing up for that big summer job or it’s simply time for some fleet replacement, there are a few simple tips to follow when purchasing construction equipment and other types of heavy equipment shippers.

If you’ve been in the business for a while, then you know that the heavy equipment market is in a near-constant state of fluctuation, and are probably well attuned to today’s equipment prices and market value. Perhaps it’s been a while since you purchased your last bulldozer, excavator, crane, loader, grader, or roller, and haven’t dedicated a lot of time to market study. If that is the case, you will need to give yourself a little crash course in the economics of construction and heavy equipment sales. Drive around to your local dealers, take note of what machines are on their lots, and in what quantity. Research the latest machines from each prospective manufacturer to discover if new technologies and capabilities have been added since your last purchase. Used equipment auctions are also a great place to search for construction equipment shippers if your budget is tight.

Living in a rural area, you may not have access to a vast number of heavy equipment dealerships, so the internet is a useful tool for not only researching the latest and greatest equipment innovations, but also tracking market prices. Classified advertisements and auction sites like eBay.com, liquidation.com, and ironplanet.com paint an accurate picture of current market conditions. The amount of inventory of prospective equipment on the aforementioned sites is indicative of the overall availability and market saturation for the desired type of equipment.

After conducting your background research, you will want to thoroughly explore each prospective machine so as to find the one that will best suit your company’s application as well as allocated funding. Are there additional options, accessories, or attachments that are integral to the function of the machine in its future role? When all of these questions are answered, you will be able to further screen your search such that you are comparing apples solely to apples.

When purchasing construction equipment or other heavy equipment shippers, transport may also be a hefty concern, especially if the machine is to be purchased from a distant location. However, with a freight company like RM Logistics, transporting your new equipment need not be a worry, whether its final destination is across the country or just across town. Whether your new equipment is within the standard size shipping parameters or oversized, RM Logistics has the knowledge and capability to haul your machine safely and securely to its final destination.