I need to transport a few ****vators separately — some are smaller (around 1 Tonne) and the biggest I have is 9 Tonnes. Up to what tonnage is it worth using trailers, and at what point are trucks better at doing the job?
Trailers or Trucks
-
11-03-17 13:14Sorry not sure why that turned into asterisks, it's meant to say ****vators. I'll need to travel about 200 - 300 miles -
11-03-17 13:16It keeps converting to asterisks, not sure why. — I am talking about diggers (JCB's etc.)
-
11-03-17 15:08Trailers need something to tow them and you are not going to get a 9 tonne digger on a trailer behind a Range Rover.
You would be better to get a haulier with the right equipment and expertise to handle the work. There are other considerations like - Is this for yourself, or someone else and how will you get them loaded and unloaded. -
11-03-17 16:54Thanks Santa, yeah this would be for myself/a colleague. If it were a one off, we would probably go for a haulier, but as we may be doing this ideally we could buy something which might cover us up to 9T. Any brands you would suggest?
-
11-03-17 17:05OP, are you aware of the driving licence requirements for loads of that wight? Possibly operator's licence too.
-
11-03-17 18:04To carry 9 tonnes you need a 12 tonner. To drive that you need an HGV licence and to operate it, you need an operator's licence.
It's possible that you could carry the smaller ones on a trailer but you really have to be careful with the weight; anything more than a mini digger would be too much.
One option would be to buy a low loader trailer and find a self employed truck driver to haul it for you.
If you are serious about the idea, try posting your question on trucknet. http://www.trucknetuk.com Lots of expertise on there. -
12-03-17 12:07Just a business idea (doing some research for a colleague), but there would be likely 2 Minis (1T and and 4T) and then one Midi (8T). Thanks Santa, will have a look at Trucknet...
-
12-03-17 13:06In my region, the hirers of these machines go to collect them from the hire depot.
Most farmers have their own plant trailers, so no problem -
12-03-17 16:39Funny how 'Jack' has not yet once, in reply to any of my posts quoting him, commented along the lines of: "Eh? Dennis? What are you talking about?" I wonder why.....
-
12-03-17 19:30
Operators licence is easy enough to obtain.
With trailers and the weight you end up on tachometer regs.
A 7.5 or 17.5 tonne truck would be the way forward for heavier plant.
Or stick to lighter plant and use a trailer.
All depends on how much you want to spend on plant and transport equipment.
Have you added up all these costs plus operators licence and insurance policies? -
12-03-17 20:29When I was self employed I used a load-Luger rather than a van, as it's a lot cheaper, no overheads at all, and doesn't cost you a lot when it's not in use..........................I did have a van at first, but it worked too expensive, where as the Luger only cost me it's annual check over.
-
12-03-17 21:47Aye! it's like a caravan with no Windows, and a metal roller door on the back. It's got a very low loading height, which is really handy.................. ..............The best thing about it is, that it doesn't cost you anything when not in use.....................I even used to work on a bit of furniture if it was raining, as with the fibreglass roof it gave good light inside.
-
12-03-17 22:36
Are you sure? This 48-page guide suggests otherwise ....
https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...sing_Guide.pdf
Apart from anything else, you need a professionally qualified transport manager. -
12-03-17 23:27
Ok it's impossible,I don't know how other people do it.
"Apart from anything else, you need a professionally qualified transport manager"
Depends on licence as per your link. -
13-03-17 21:31Quote......."Apart from anything else, you need a professionally qualified transport manager."..........................Aye! as I can remember looking into buying a large truck for my businesss, way back in the 80s, but the amount of rules and regulations required put me off the whole idea?.......................A mate of mine said I could operate under his operators license and use the same HGV maintenance garage, but even that was too expensive!........................That why I ended up using the load-lugger.
