When is a transport considered heavy haulage?
There is both a legal and a practical answer
Legally speaking, the question of when a transport counts as heavy haulage is quite straightforward. This is the case when a transport exceeds the permitted dimensions and/or allowable weights. Technically, this is usually referred to as a dimension-exceeding or weight-exceeding transport. For example, this applies to transports over 40 tons or with heights over 4 meters. Comparable values apply Europe-wide for such heavy transports.
If a transport is legally considered heavy haulage for these reasons, additional permits are required because it interferes with normal road traffic and may even require modifications along the planned route (removal of traffic signs, use of normally restricted routes, etc.). Manufacturers usually try to avoid such efforts by considering them already during planning and production. Modularity is therefore pursued, but is not always achievable.
These obvious heavy transports are familiar to almost everyone when encountering convoys on the highway, such as with wind turbine components or large tanks. In practice, however, a heavy haul is somewhat subjective. A transport becomes heavy as soon as it can no longer be carried out using simple and conventional means.
Whether a transport counts as heavy haul often depends on the chosen service provider
Clients are usually only interested in the result. An object A must be moved to location B. While simple machines are often large and heavy, you might prefer not to entrust them to a regular shipping or transport company. The line between heavy haulage and specialized transport can quickly become blurred.
Clients cannot always directly assess how a transport will proceed. Can a large facility be dismantled so that it can be transported in several parts? Does the effort for dismantling and reassembly outweigh a dimension- or weight-exceeding transport? An expert can usually answer these questions quickly and easily.
Lanzell Heavy Transports – Fast and Professional Support
For over 30 years, we have been a specialized service provider for heavy and specialized transports in Berlin and Brandenburg. We provide fast and professional support for all logistics tasks involving heavy and sensitive goods. However, we do not transport goods that require low-bed trailers or similar specialized equipment. Our specialization lies particularly in complex installations and removals, i.e., transports under challenging environmental conditions.
We are happy to advise you quickly and easily on when your transport qualifies as heavy haulage, either in a detailed consultation or during an on-site inspection.
