Transporting Equipment for Sale

Getting a machine from your place to the buyer's is where many accidents and legal troubles start. Plan the move as carefully as the sale.

Key points

Agree in writing who loads, hauls and pays for transport.
Know your weights and ratings, and inspect trailer and truck every trip.
Use rated tie-downs, and recheck them during the trip.
Check state rules on weight, width, lighting and permits.

Who is responsible for transport when you sell equipment?

Decide this before the sale and put it in writing. In many deals the buyer arranges and pays for transport, while some sellers offer delivery for a fee. Either way, be clear on who loads, who hauls and where responsibility ends.

If you deliver, tell your insurance agent. Your policy may not cover a sold machine in transit or your truck while hauling for hire.

If you are selling at a distance, ask the buyer to confirm in writing who is arranging the haul, so there is no question later about who dropped the ball. Keep a copy of the bill of sale and delivery paperwork with your records.

What should you check on your trailer and tow vehicle?

Know the weight of the machine and the ratings of both trailer and tow vehicle. Check your operator's manual for the machine's weight, and your vehicle and trailer documents for their ratings. Do not guess, and do not exceed them.

Inspect the trailer before every trip. A failure on the highway can hurt people and destroy the machine. If anything on the trailer is worn or doubtful, fix it before the move, not on the side of the road.

Tires, including the spare, and wheel nuts
Brakes and brake controller working
Lights, turn signals and reflectors
Hitch, coupler, safety chains and breakaway system
Deck, ramps and floor condition
Tie-down points and rated chains or straps

How do you load a tractor safely?

Use level ground and a ramp or loading dock rated for the load. Go slowly, in a low gear, with the seat belt fastened only if the machine has a ROPS. Tell everyone to stand well clear of the ramp and the machine.

Position the weight so the trailer tongue carries a proper share, as your trailer manual describes. A load placed too far back can cause dangerous sway.

Walk around the machine before loading and photograph it. Check for loose items, open doors and anything that could shift in transit. Never allow anyone to ride on the machine while it is on the ramp or the trailer.

How do you tie down equipment correctly?

Use chains or straps rated for the load, attached to proper points on both machine and trailer. Follow the manufacturer's guidance for the machine and your trailer. Use enough tie-downs, cross them where appropriate and keep them tight.

Lower loaders, blades and other implements to the deck. Secure the hitch and loose parts, and remove anything that could blow off.

Check the tie-downs again after the first few miles, because loads settle and straps loosen. Carry spare straps and a ratchet handle in case one fails.

What legal rules apply to hauling equipment on public roads?

Rules on weight, width, height, lighting, permits, licensing and securing loads vary by state. Check with your state DOT, department of motor vehicles or highway patrol before you go. Wide loads and heavy loads may need permits or escorts.

Do not rely on a friend's memory or a forum. Ask the agency, and write down the answer. Keep a copy of the agency's answer with the sale records.

What should you do before and during the trip?

Walk around the rig before you leave. Recheck the tie-downs after the first few miles, and again at stops. Plan your route to avoid low bridges, steep grades and tight turns, and allow extra stopping distance.

Weather, fatigue and night driving add risk. If a load shifts, pull over safely and fix it before going on.

Leave extra time for the trip. Hurry is the enemy of a safe haul, and a rushed driver misses a loose strap.

When is it worth hiring a hauler?

If the machine is heavy, the distance is long or you lack the right truck and trailer, a professional hauler is often the safer and cheaper choice. Ask for proof of insurance and for what is covered if the machine is damaged.

Take photos of the machine before loading, and note any existing damage on the paperwork. Check your own insurance and ask the buyer to confirm receipt.

Confirm the delivery details and get a signature on arrival, noting the condition of the machine at that moment.

When to get help: Check your state DOT, motor vehicle department or highway patrol for hauling rules, and ask your insurance agent about coverage in transit. For heavy or long moves, hire an insured professional hauler.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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