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Logistics Challenges For Heavy Machinery On-Site

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Getting heavy machinery to the site can be a challenge, as there are various logistical considerations to take into account.

Here at Sterling Access, you can rent a cherry picker for your site and have it transported with minimum effort, thanks to Sterling Access’s transport services. We provide a rollback or low bed that can transport any of your equipment to the site at a load of up to 70 tonnes.

However, with that said, here are some logistical challenges that you need to keep in mind when considering taking heavy machinery to the site (most of which we can assist with if needed):

Site Accessibility

Depending on the location of your site, access might be a challenge, with some sites located in remote or challenging areas. Urban environments might have very restricted space, while remote areas might have long distances involved or uneven terrain. Whatever the case, ensure that your heavy equipment can make it to the site safely. This means conducting a thorough site assessment to identify potential challenges and plan for them ahead of time.

When considering your unique site challenges, communicate clearly with the company providing your transportation services so that the necessary arrangements can be made to circumvent or overcome them.

Where necessary, for example, it might be required that you invest in temporary road construction or reinforce existing access routes to improve the safety of the route to site.

In addition, the heavy equipment might need to be disassembled to allow for smaller auxiliary equipment to transport the heavy equipment to the site in parts and be reassembled on site afterwards. This might be needed in locations with tight access routes, such as highly populated urban areas.

Equipment Compatibility

Given that heavy machinery has varying dimensions and compatibility with existing infrastructure, such as bridges and tunnels, it is necessary to do a thorough assessment of the route to the site to ensure that this won’t be a problem.

If needed, it might be required that you choose alternative routes to avoid low bridges and tunnels so that your equipment can make it to the site safely.

Ensure that you gather the detailed specifications of the machinery to be transported and do a thorough assessment of the infrastructure along the transportation route so that potential bottlenecks can be identified.

If needed, collaborate with the engineering teams involved so that temporary modifications or reinforcements can be designed for existing structures or for the equipment itself, thereby facilitating seamless transportation. However, this is generally a last resort and is only needed in extreme scenarios.

More common is that the equipment might need to be disassembled and reassembled on site to facilitate a smooth delivery.

Timing and Scheduling

The transportation of heavy machinery can be a complex affair, and it is necessary to take into consideration the project timelines so that any delays or unexpected issues can be incorporated into the plan.

To circumvent this challenge, draw up a comprehensive project schedule that includes the transportation timeline. Carry out effective communication with all stakeholders so that schedules can be aligned and potential delays can be anticipated. It is always advisable to build in buffer time to accommodate unforeseen challenges.

When transporting heavy machinery to the site, prioritise off-peak hours so that disruptions to regular traffic can be minimised and facilitate a smoother logistical operation overall.

Costs

In many cases, heavy machinery requires specialised transportation arrangements, which can be expensive. These costs include permits to ensure regulatory compliance as well as fuel, maintenance, and the potential need for escort vehicles.

Moreover, if you require heavy transport, the route should be carefully planned to minimise the distance, and the most cost-effective mode of transport should be arranged.

Importantly, regulatory issues should be addressed regarding weight limits, road restrictions, and specific permits so that fines or traffic control delays can be eliminated.

If you wish to rent a cherry picker or any other machinery for your next job, Sterling Access has the means to help you transport it to site safely and reliably and at a substantially reduced cost. Minimise your stress by contacting us today to secure the machine that would best suit your operational needs and to get it transported as well.