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How We Move Agricultural Machinery and Products

How We Move Agricultural Machinery and Products

How We Move Agricultural Machinery and Products

Today’s agricultural machinery has come a long way from the ox and plow, and modern farm equipment now includes huge pieces of machinery, including tractors, combine harvesters, and swathers, as well as the many large implements that can be attached to tractors, such as plows, harrows, seeders, balers, fertilizer spreaders, and so on. 

These implements make modern agricultural operations much more efficient, enabling even smaller, non-corporate farms to cultivate large tracts of land quickly and efficiently. But the need to use these huge machines comes with a problem that must be solved: getting them transported to your farm so that you can use them. When you purchase large pieces of agricultural machinery, many of them are too large to fit on standard trailers. Instead, they require more specialized transportation arrangements.

At The Logistics Guys, we are experts in getting difficult things transported, including large items of farm machinery. We can manage every aspect of your shipment, from picking it up from the production line at the factory, or, if it is a used item, from an auction house or from another farm, and get it delivered to your operation. We guarantee that your shipment will get to you on schedule, and that the shipment will be undertaken in full compliance with both federal and state Department of Transportation regulations. 

Moving Agricultural Machinery

There are a variety of logistical issues to consider when transporting large shipments. For large farm machines, you have to decide whether rail or truck is better depending on what you are shipping and where it is being shipped.

Rail occasionally has advantages in that rail flatbeds are often larger than truck trailer beds, and rail flatbeds can handle tremendous amounts of weight. Rail is especially efficient when machinery has to be shipped a long distance. In some cases, however, there may not be rail service available near either the shipping point or the delivery point. In that case, trucking will be the most efficient option. Moreover, even if you are able to use rail, at some point, you will have to truck your equipment for parts of the trip: from its pick-up point to the rail and from the rail drop-off point to the delivery site. For this, you won’t be able to just hire a standard trucking company and expect it to be able to handle your load. 

Heavy machinery must be transported by specialty haulers. It must be put on the right type of trailer to be able to handle the weight and dimensions of the load. There are regulations that govern width, height, and load overhang. You have to pay attention to making sure the machinery is properly secured. If it is oversize – that is, the machine will take up more room than the allowable lane width of a road, you will have a variety of regulations in place governing the hours in which you can travel. It will be critical to evaluate the routes to ensure they allow the weight loads and that you will not encounter any obstacles to transport, such as low bridge heights or bridges that cannot withstand the loads. The load will have to be properly marked and lit, and you will most likely need special permits from the states you are bringing the load through.

Moving Agricultural Goods and Livestock

When it comes to handling the shipment of your agricultural products, the logistics are a bit more straightforward. In most cases, farming produce can be packed in crates or bales that will easily fit in standard trucks or on trailers. If you have livestock, there are transport trailers and carriers specifically designed and operated to carry livestock from your farm or ranch to processing plants, stockyards, or wherever else they may need to go. 

Most agricultural operations depend on outside carriers to transport their goods. Again, when transporting agricultural commodities, whether livestock or produce, it is important to comply with all federal and state regulations. Many of these regulations deal with the distance/time traveled, as livestock must be treated humanely, and produce must be protected from spoilage.

Trust The Logistics Guys to Handle Your Shipment

With The Logistics Guys, you don’t have to sweat the details. We know that many agricultural operations depend on outsourced transportation to move machinery and goods. Our specialty is taking major transportation challenges and providing turnkey service in handling them for our clients, from packing and pick-up to final delivery. When it comes to complex transportation projects, where your expertise ends, ours begins. 

At The Logistics Guys, we will work with you to find the most efficient and cost-effective solution to meet your needs and timeline. We ensure that your material will get to its destination safely, in compliance with all regulations, and fully insured. If your agricultural operation has a specialized transportation challenge, contact The Logistics Guys today.

5 Tips For Safely Transporting Valuable Electronic Items

5 Tips For Safely Transporting Valuable Electronic Items

You cannot be too careful when shipping electronic components, especially if they are very sensitive and expensive. While you may be able to send small consumer-grade components through standard carriers, you need specialized shipping when you have specialized equipment.

Typical examples of electronics that need special handling are extremely high-end audio and video equipment, particularly those used for professional recording; medical technology, such as imaging machines and robotics; and IT systems. Shipping high-end or special-application electronic cargo requires a great deal of care. But when done correctly, it can be accomplished without incident and worry. 

At The Logistics Guys, we are experts in transporting unique and large-scale items when you absolutely cannot risk something going wrong with your shipment. We handle the transportation from packing and pick-up to final delivery, including specialized packaging, regulatory

compliance, customs paperwork, and point-to-point transport. 

Here are five issues that should receive special attention for successfully shipping sensitive and expensive electronic equipment. You can count on The Logistics Guys to work with you to ensure these items are addressed.

  1. Preparation

Before even packing your equipment, it is essential to take careful stock of it. Ensure that everything you intend to ship is there, including all components, cords, cables, accessories, and attachments. Sometimes, parts need to be disassembled prior to shipment to prevent potential damage, such as power supplies, boards, or special batteries. 

Test the equipment to make sure everything is in working order, so there’s no doubt whether, on arrival, any problems were pre-existing or occurred during shipment. Similarly, take note of any marks or scratches (if it is used equipment) before packing it up, so you won’t be surprised if a mark you did not notice before is suddenly present when the shipment arrives.

  1. Packaging Materials

The right packaging materials will help ensure that your shipment arrives safely at its destination. Many specialty components require special packaging to cushion and absorb the small jolts, vibrations, and shifts that inevitably occur whenever you transport something. Also, some components require unique packing materials. Packing peanuts, bubble-pack, and styrofoam are notorious for holding a static charge, so they are not suitable for sensitive electronics. In addition, you may need a moisture barrier and some desiccant to protect your electronics from water vapor damage. 

For large components, you may even need custom-cut conducting anti-static foam inserts. Depending upon what you ship, you may need custom-designed corrugated cardboard boxes, double-walled containers, or wooden crates to ensure your electronic equipment is sufficiently protected. If the equipment is especially heavy, loading it onto pallets may be necessary so that it can be loaded and unloaded safely by forklift.

  1. Packing and Loading

Once you have a pick list of every item that needs to be shipped and you have the appropriate packaging materials, it is time to pack your equipment. All the crates should be accounted for. This can be done by coding the containers with letters, numbers, and other markings and carefully documenting to ensure you track what parts should be together. On the receiving end, you want to be sure that the components of your system will go back together correctly and in the correct configuration. 

All packed items should be securely sealed with tamper-resistant seals. All the boxes and crates should be properly loaded using ramps or a forklift and positioned and tied down, with no ability for your items to fall or slide. Fill any gaps with appropriate padding to prevent unnecessary falls and shifts.

  1. Carrier Choice

Work with a carrier that knows how to handle electronic equipment. You don’t want your expensive and sensitive equipment treated like a load of dog food. A good carrier will offer: 

  • Credentials: check that your carrier is legitimate and has all their licenses and paperwork in order. Unfortunately, hijacking and piracy do occur, particularly for expensive shipments. Check the background of your carrier and your drivers.
  • When possible, single-point pick-up and delivery without the need to load and unload repeatedly. Sometimes, this cannot be done if, for example, part of the trip is by plane or ship. Verify the transport methods to ensure the shipment is as direct as possible. 
  • Real-time tracking of your shipment. 
  • Knowledge of shipping regulations for every jurisdiction through which your shipment will travel. This is especially important for international shipments.
  • Security: Today, trailer theft is a reality, and you cannot afford to risk that your shipment will be vandalized or stolen. Ensure your carrier provides sufficient security for your load, including team drivers, escorts, and tighter transport schedules, which give would-be criminals less time to plan and execute a theft.
  • Environmental protection: many electronic components do not respond well to extreme cold or heat. Take note of the time of year and transit routes. Ensure your carrier knows how to protect your equipment from environmental damage using heaters, cooling, dry ice, or moisture barriers when necessary to ensure your sensitive components don’t suffer environmental damage.
  1. Insurance

Even with the best preparation and service, things can go wrong. An unexpected accident, an unusual weather event, or any other random occurrence can spoil even the most diligent planning, so purchasing insurance is prudent when shipping expensive items. You can often buy insurance through your shipper, logistics company, or even as a rider on an existing insurance policy. Alternatively, you can arrange for the receiver of the goods to insure the shipment. Whatever the arrangement, look into different types of insurance plans available through various providers depending on how much risk you’re willing to accept and how much the insurer is willing to insure. 

These steps are essential to give you peace of mind when shipping expensive electronic equipment. If you have a special transportation project and need expert assistance, you can trust The Logistics Guys to get your shipment right. Give us a call today!  

5 Tips For Safely Transporting Valuable Electronic Items