DOT Heavy Equipment Transport Regulations You Should Know

Tony Mers • August 10, 2023
DOT Heavy Equipment Transport Regulations You Should Know

Being on the road means encountering many potential dangers, including mismanaged heavy equipment. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) closely regulates heavy transportation to mitigate possible transportation dangers. While there are many DOT heavy equipment transport regulations you should know when trying to move your heavy equipment, One Call Logistics can help with most of those regulations. We put our focus primarily on the following three because the DOT does the same—below are some of the most frequently broken regulations.

Working Load Limits

All cargo has working load limits, which refers to the maximum cargo weight allowed based on how much the transport vehicle can safely carry. The general rule for calculating working load limits is dividing the minimum breaking load by a safety factor. Different transport vehicles and securements have different minimum breaking loads and safety factors. One Call Logistics will ensure that the calculations for working load limits are correct so your cargo is safe on the road.

Vehicle and Load Dimensions

One Call Logistics will also make sure your cargo fits properly on the transport vehicle. The DOT states that cargo cannot extend beyond the transport vehicle once it is properly loaded. Even if there is no overhang, the driver still needs to have clear visibility on all sides of the transport vehicle. If the driver cannot clearly see around the vehicle while in motion or parked, they could cause an accident. We want to protect your heavy equipment, so we follow this regulation closely.

Proper Load Securement

One of the most frequently broken DOT heavy equipment transport regulations is proper load securement. You should know about this rule and the fact that it’s regularly disregarded so you can find a logistics company that properly follows all necessary standards. The professionals at One Call Logistics understand the various load securement devices, such as steel strapping, grab hooks, and friction mats. Applying these security devices helps us meet the tie-down requirements for heavy equipment, meaning we meet DOT regulations and your cargo will arrive safely.

Your heavy equipment is important and One Call Logistics wants to ensure its safe arrival, which is why we follow all DOT regulations for heavy equipment transportation services. We will craft a customized solution for your transport needs to make sure your equipment arrives at its destination worry-free.

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