Heavy Equipment Shipping
Construction and industrial equipment needs a different kind of transport than a car. It's built around weight, width, and specialized loading, and the cost depends heavily on whether the machine fits a standard trailer or needs oversize handling.
Matching the Machine to the Trailer
The right trailer depends on the machine's size and weight:
Standard flatbed or step-deck trailers
Handle legal-size loads. A mini excavator in the 6,000 to 10,000 pound range, or a compact dozer around 15,000 pounds, can often ride a standard flatbed pulled by a heavy-duty truck.
Lowboy trailers
Used when a machine is too tall or heavy for a standard trailer and needs to stay under bridge height limits. Mid-to-large excavators typically need one.
Removable gooseneck (RGN) trailers
Including multi-axle versions, carry the heaviest and most oversized machines. A large dozer in the 80,000-plus pound class exceeds standard legal limits and needs this kind of equipment.
Dozer Weight Class Reference
For reference, dozers range from compact units under 30,000 pounds, through medium models at 30,000 to 60,000 pounds, to large units at 60,000 to 100,000 pounds or more.
Oversize Loads, Permits, and Escorts
A load wider than 8.5 feet, or heavier than legal weight limits, is classified as an oversize load. That triggers costs that don't exist for a standard shipment:
State permits
Generally $50 to $500 or more per state the truck passes through.
Pilot or escort vehicles
For very wide or tall loads, generally $1.65 to $2.25 or more per mile, or a flat $400 to $800 per day.
Fuel surcharges
Which most carriers stack on top of the base rate, typically adding roughly 15 to 30% to the final invoice.
Cost-Saving Tip: Detachable Attachments
One practical way to reduce this: wide blades and rear attachments add width and weight, and some operators detach them and ship them separately to avoid an oversize designation altogether.
What It Costs
Rates are generally quoted per mile, and the range is wide because machine size drives everything:
Excavators
Roughly $2 to $5 per mile.
- •Local moves (under 100 miles): Run about $200 to $500 for mini excavators and $500 to $1,500 for larger models.
- •Medium hauls (100 to 500 miles): Run about $1,200 to $2,000 for a medium excavator.
- •Long-distance moves (over 500 miles): Run about $2,500 to $4,500 or more, and massive commercial units can run far higher.
Bulldozers
Roughly $2 to $8 per mile for standard models, rising to $5 to $15 or more per mile for large, oversized units that need specialized trailers, permits, or escorts.
Operational Condition Factor
Whether the machine runs matters too. A bulldozer or excavator that can be driven onto the trailer loads quickly. A non-operational one needs a carrier equipped with heavy winches or cranes, which costs more.
Getting an Accurate Quote
Because every machine is different, an accurate quote needs the specifics:
Weight & Model
Make, model, and operating weight
Exact Dimensions
Length, width, and height as it will sit on the trailer, including any attachments
Running Condition
Whether it runs and can be driven on
Location & Access
Pickup and delivery locations, including any site access limits
Measuring the machine and checking the route for bridge weight limits and low overpasses before shipping saves real time and cost.
Shipping Internationally
Heavy equipment can also ship overseas, including to the Gulf, though the method depends on the machine's size and the destination. If you're moving equipment internationally, reach out directly so we can walk through what applies to your specific machine.
Who It's Best For
This applies to construction companies, equipment dealers, and anyone relocating excavators, bulldozers, or similar machinery that can't move on a standard vehicle trailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship an excavator?
Generally $2 to $5 per mile. Short local moves run roughly $200 to $1,500 depending on size, and long-distance moves over 500 miles run roughly $2,500 to $4,500 or more for standard equipment.
How much does it cost to ship a bulldozer?
Generally $2 to $8 per mile for standard models, and $5 to $15 or more per mile for large, oversized units requiring specialized trailers, permits, or escorts.
Do I need permits to ship heavy equipment?
If the load is wider than 8.5 feet or exceeds legal weight limits, yes. Permits are required for every state along the route, generally $50 to $500 or more per state.
Can attachments ship separately?
Yes, and it's often worth considering. Detaching a wide blade or rear attachment can reduce the machine's width and weight enough to avoid an oversize designation.
Can I ship equipment that doesn't run?
Yes, but it requires a carrier with heavy winches or a crane to load it, which adds to the cost.
Shipping Heavy Equipment?
Get a quote with the make, model, weight, and dimensions so we can confirm what's involved.