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Benefits Of Using Vehicle Escort Service For Abnormal Load Transport
Do you need to transport an abnormal load?
Whether it be a train carriage to a railway station, a new aircraft to the airport or an industrial machine to a factory, the team at JB Rawcliffe & Sons can help.
As a leading transport company in the UK, we will make sure that your load reaches its end destination safely and on time.
But the question is, do you need to take advantage of a vehicle escort service?
Let’s take a closer look at the importance of escort vehicles for abnormal load transport and their benefits.
What is an escort vehicle?
An escort vehicle often rides ahead of the vehicle transporting the load to check the route is suitable. However, in some cases, it may drive behind to control passing traffic – ensuring they give a wide berth when overtaking.
The purpose of a vehicle escort is twofold. It alerts road users to the presence of an abnormally large load so they can adjust their speed accordingly – reducing the risk of accidents – and allows the driver to navigate the route in the safest way possible.
Most escort vehicles are equipped with flashing beacons and they can drive for help or raise the alarm in an emergency.
Is a vehicle escort strictly necessary?
Abnormal loads don’t always need to be escorted. However, depending on the load you’re transporting and the route it will take, the police force and local authorities may suggest otherwise.
Arranging a private escort for your abnormal load will help to keep your goods that little bit safer, which is especially ideal if they need to be transported on busy motorways or areas with restrictions such as overhead cables, low bridges, narrow streets or parked cars.
3 reasons to use an escort for abnormal load transport
- Alert other road users – sometimes, it’s not always obvious that a vehicle is carrying an abnormal load. For example, it may hang slightly over into the second lane on the motorway or be slow-moving.
Without an escort, passing motorists can easily misjudge the space available and collide with it, causing damage to the load itself and/or the vehicle transporting it – not to mention damage to their own vehicle.
- An extra pair of eyes and hands – whether it be to identify potential challenges along the way, seek help in an emergency or stay with the load until assistance arrives, having a trained and experienced person close behind or just ahead can be a real boon.
When the load arrives at its destination, it’s also helpful to have an extra pair of hands to help with loading and unloading the goods – especially if they’re fragile or difficult to handle.
- Seek approval faster – often, the police and authorities will look favourably on your route if you take advantage of a vehicle escort service. This is because you reduce the risk of accidents and injuries by making sure the route is carefully planned out – factoring in any potential challenges or obstacles on the way.
Arranging for your abnormal load to be escorted will give you the peace of mind that it will reach its destination safely and efficiently too.
Contact JB Rawcliffe & Sons to find out more about abnormal loads
Here at JB Rawcliffe, our team are experts in abnormal load transport and will ensure that every aspect is taken care of properly.
We will work closely with you to establish the most suitable haulage solution for your needs – taking into account the goods you need to transport and your timescale.
To discuss your requirements in more detail with the team, and reap the benefit of a private vehicle escort service for abnormal load transport, give us a call on 01695 737 880 or email enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com.
Benefits Of Using Vehicle Transfer For Abnormal Loads FAQs
Yes, a vehicle escort is provided if required as part of our heavy haulage service, meaning you won’t have to hire an escort vehicle separately.
Our private escorts ensure other road users are alerted to the presence of a slow-moving load, make sure the driver is aware of tight bends and is on hand to call for help in the unlikely case that an accident occurs.
Not all abnormal loads require a vehicle escort to get from A to B safely – we will use the size requirements outlined by National Highways to determine if your abnormal load requires a private escort.
Loads below 4.12m wide, 30m long and 100 tonnes don’t legally require an escort vehicle.
We have over 45 years of invaluable experience planning vehicle escort routes and executing safe heavy haulage transportation - so you can be sure your load is in safe and knowledgeable hands.
Over this time, we have planned vehicle escorts for loads of all shapes and sizes that have reached their destination safely and securely.
The safety of our drivers, other road users and your load is incredibly important to us - this is why we rigorously plan all our routes.
We perform load movements according to the official guidelines for escort vehicles set out by National Highways, the body responsible for maintaining our roads.
For example, all our vehicles meet the lighting and signage requirements outlined in the code of practice.
JB Rawcliffe will notify local authorities and police forces that an abnormal load is being transported, increasing the likelihood that the haul gets approved.
There are several compelling reasons why you need an escort vehicle whilst hauling heavy loads across public roads.
1. Escort vehicles alert road users to the presence of a slow-moving abnormal load, reducing the chances of accidents - motorists can adjust their speed in plenty of time and are less likely to overtake dangerously on tighter country roads.
2. If an accident occurs, the escort convoy can raise the alarm and call for help if the lorry driver is hurt.
Whilst waiting, they can stay with the vehicle protecting the load and alerting other road users to the upcoming obstacle by placing cones.
3. Escort vehicles alert the load driver to upcoming dangers that must be approached carefully, such as tight and sharp bends. The vehicle also alerts oncoming traffic to the upcoming lorry with a flashing amber light, meaning they can approach cautiously.
4. Using a vehicle escort demonstrates responsibility and commitment to the safety of other road users to police forces and local authorities that are more likely to approve the haul.
It’s a legal requirement to have an escort vehicle if abnormal loads exceed particular dimensions and weights.
National Highways code of practice states that if an abnormal load meets the following criteria, it will require a vehicle escort;
• If the vehicle or load width exceeds 4.1m for roads and 4.6m for motorways, it requires an escort vehicle.
• Loads reaching 30.5m long will need a vehicle escort, except on motorways.
• If vehicle gross weight exceeds 100 tonnes for roads and 130 tonnes for motorways.
Police forces have the right to vary these measurements and have the final say on whether a load requires an escort vehicle.
For further information regarding our abnormal load transport services, feel free to call us on 01695 737880 or email us at enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com
What Is The Difference Between Haulage And Freight?
‘Haulage’ and ‘freight’ are often used interchangeably in the transport industry.
Whilst they both have something to do with transporting goods from one area to another – and are essential to the economy and society – they are not the same.
Here the heavy haulage experts at JB Rawcliffe & Sons take a closer look at the meaning of the two terms and outline the key differences between them.
What is haulage?
Haulage in the UK is the process of transporting items via road and rail, using trucks, vans, lorries, buses and trains.
Haulage services are typically employed by businesses to transfer goods from the production centre to a consumer or distributor. It could be anything from industrial machines and equipment to furniture, food, oil, and other supplies.
There are nine common types of haulage in the industry that are vital for keeping things moving. These include:
- Abnormal load haulage – used to transport unusually long, wide or high loads, such as wind turbines, bridge sections and cranes.
- Fragile load haulage – used to transport delicate and perishable items, such as glass and screens.
- General haulage – used to transport various goods for retail, healthcare, agriculture, construction and more.
- Hazardous haulage – used to move hazardous substances such as gas, chemicals and explosives.
- Heavy haulage – used to transport large or heavy loads safely without the expense of using multiple smaller vehicles.
- Plant haulage – used to transport plant machinery and vehicles, such as cranes, trucks and diggers.
- Parcel delivery haulage – used to move parcels and packages in bulk for major retailers, including (but not limited to) Amazon.
- Vehicle haulage – used to carry vehicles from one place to another (i.e. from a manufacturer to the showroom).
- Waste disposal haulage – used to dispose of waste and recyclable materials, including solid and liquid waste items.
What is freight?
Freight is where cargo and commodities are transported by land, sea and air, using trucks, trains, aircraft and boats. It’s usually associated with the bulk transportation of goods overseas.
Large companies use freight transport to forward goods over long distances – either to be processed, sorted or consumed.
There are three main types of freight transport, including:
- Air freight
- Sea freight
- Inland freight
Air freight delivery is the transfer and shipment of goods via an air carrier, travelling out of aviation gateways to virtually anywhere planes can fly or land.
The process of transporting large quantities of products via cargo ships is known as sea freight. Goods are loaded onto the vessel and sailed to their destination country.
Inland freight (or road freight) refers to the transportation of goods over land using motor vehicles. In some cases, road freight is the only way of transport in/to rural areas where other modes of transport are unavailable.
How do haulage and freight differ?
As we’ve already discovered, freight and haulage are very similar – but there are a few subtle differences between them.
Haulage uses roads and railways to deliver consignments, whilst freight uses road, rail, ships and aircraft.
Unlike freight where goods are transported over greater distances, across country borders and overseas, haulage generally refers to the national movement of cargo (in other words, it doesn’t leave the UK).
Want to know more?
If you have any questions about haulage and freight, or you’d like to take advantage of our professional haulage services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with JB Rawcliffe today.
As a leading transport company in the UK, we have vast experience when it comes to heavy haulage, airport cargo handling and boat port cargo handling. We ensure that all consignments reach their end destination safely and efficiently, whether it be here in the UK or overseas.
To find out more, give us a call on 01695 737 880 or drop us an email at enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com.
Why Are HIAB Cranes Used?
Need to lift heavy objects or large pieces of apparatus? Looking for a quick and efficient haulage solution?
When it comes to transporting items around a building site, propping up taller structures and moving materials long distances, you can’t go wrong with a HIAB crane.
Here we take a look at what HIAB cranes are, what they’re used for and the advantages of using these machines.
What is a HIAB crane?
HIABs, also known as lorry mounted cranes or lorry loaders in the haulage industry, are large trucks that are specifically designed to lift and transport goods.
‘HIAB’ is short for Hydrauliska Industri AB, a Swedish company that started manufacturing hydraulic cranes back in the mid-1940s. Today, the company still owns a wide range of loader cranes that are commonly used on construction sites and for various other projects.
A HIAB is made up of a truck and hydraulic crane combined, making the process of loading and unloading cargo more efficient than ever before. The truck’s engine powers the hydraulics of the crane, ensuring that materials are transferred smoothly without the need for additional equipment. And thanks to the lorry loader’s extendable arm, it can reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
When are HIABs used?
Lorry mounted cranes are powerful yet versatile machines that can handle different sized loads. Anything from cargo shipping containers to cumbersome materials for projects (e.g. stacks of bricks, bags of sand and timber frames).
HIAB cranes are also useful for lifting and transporting freight, including abnormal loads such as heavy machinery, portacabins, boats, trains, aircraft, etc.
Thanks to their excellent adaptability, lorry loaders can benefit many different industries, including (but not limited to) construction, agriculture, infrastructure, energy and landscaping.
Benefits of hiring a HIAB crane
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Ease of use
Whether you need to transport freight or load and unload cargo at ports, factories or warehouses, HIAB cranes are guaranteed to simplify the process for you.
They come with all the necessary equipment to lift and move goods – regardless of their size, shape and weight. Unlike conventional cranes, they can be easily moved and allow you to transport and deliver cargo quickly and safely without the need for a mobile crane, which also helps to save you money.
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Manoeuvrability
A lorry mounted crane is extremely manoeuvrable. It can transfer large, bulky objects in small or tight spaces on your site, including those harder to reach areas.
HIABs are also more compact than other machines, which makes them perfect for urbanised locations (i.e. city centres with high-rise buildings, narrow streets and parking restrictions). Most can rotate 180°, but some are able to rotate fully, allowing you to load and unload both sides of the vehicle.
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Versatility
What makes HIAB cranes stand out in the haulage industry is how versatile and hard-working they are.
These powerful machines can be used as a crane to move things from A to B and support larger structures, as well as transport items from one site to another and load and unload cargo. They’re multi-purpose.
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Efficiency
One of the biggest benefits of hiring a lorry loader is that it’s more cost-effective than buying one outright and having to find somewhere to store it.
When compared to other types of cranes, the HIAB can save time and money, as the site doesn’t need to be prepared before its arrival. Plus, you needn’t coordinate with a crane firm, allowing for quick turnaround times and smoother deliveries.
Why use JB Rawcliffe’s HIAB crane hire service?
Here at JB Rawcliffe, we have more than 45 years’ experience when it comes to HIAB crane hire and operate an extensive fleet throughout the UK.
Confident that we can offer a suitable solution for your project, our team will draw on their knowledge and expertise to determine the best lorry mounted crane. We can also provide Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) certified staff along with the machinery if required.
At JB Rawcliffe, we follow stringent safety measures and ensure that our systems are regularly inspected and serviced in-between rentals, giving you peace of mind that they are safe and reliable to use.
Get in touch
Want to know more about HIAB crane hire? Perhaps you’ve got a question about HIAB cranes in general? Or maybe you’d like to discuss your requirements with a member of the team?
Our specialists are always on hand to help and would love to hear from you.
Either give us a call on 01695 737 880 or drop us an email at enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Is A Machinery Handling Service Right For You?
Reconfiguring space at your worksite? Upgrading old industrial equipment for innovative machinery? Perhaps you’re relocating to new premises?
You’re probably wondering whether it’s really necessary to use a professional machinery handling service while you could shuffle equipment around yourself or ask a couple of colleagues to help.
Are we right?
Here we outline the reasons why many people choose not to employ the expertise of machinery handling specialists and the potential risks involved with handling machines singlehandedly.
Why do people opt to handle machinery themselves?
Businesses choose to keep handling operations in-house for several reasons – the most common being to:
· Make use of employees
Have you got a large workforce? Are some members of staff standing around doing nothing? Machinery handling could be the perfect job for them – ensuring maximum productivity and putting their muscles to good use.
Ideally, you’ll need someone on each side and the appropriate lifting equipment. However, the more people you ask to assist, the better.
Of course, you’ll need to provide them with clear instructions so they know exactly what they’re doing.
· Cut down on costs
As the rate of inflation continues to grow, many companies are having to tighten their purse strings – and that means reducing the number of services they outsource.
Instead of hiring an external team to handle machinery, they’re utilising their own workforce, which allows them to save money and invest it elsewhere.
Providing you’ve got enough staff to lend a hand, and they’re all trained on how to handle different types of equipment safely and efficiently, this can be a real boon.
· Speed things up
If your business is working to a tight deadline, it’s much quicker to handle the equipment in-house, rather than contacting machinery handling specialists and finding a date and time that suits you both.
For example, specialists might not have any availability until the following week, whilst your new machinery is being delivered in the next few days and you need to make space for it now.
Why you should seek professional assistance
Whilst it’s perfectly possible to handle equipment in-house, using trained personnel, some prefer to pass the responsibility of machinery handling to the professionals.
Having one less thing to worry about is one of the reasons why a machinery handling service is so appealing. But that’s not the only reason…
· Safety
Without the necessary expertise and equipment, lifting, moving and installing machinery can be extremely dangerous. For example, sharp edges could puncture the skin, people may become crushed between moving parts or you might end up pulling a muscle and seriously injuring yourself.
With that said, asking an expert to handle machinery on your behalf is the safest option and will help to mitigate the risks – both for your workforce and your equipment.
· Peace of mind
All businesses want to trust that machinery is installed correctly before they use it.
Although you could take machinery handling into your own hands, in a bid to save time and money, it’s crucial that you never skimp on safety when it comes to connecting and mounting new systems.
The team at JB Rawcliffe have the tools required for different types of heavy machinery and we follow all the stringent guidelines to ensure your goods are in the safest of hands. We’ll also make sure they’re safe and ready to use.
· Efficiency
Not got the tools to handle machinery? Not got the space to store them? That’s where our machinery handling service comes in.
Instead of having to fork out on special tools and find somewhere to house them, you can contact our specialists as and when you need us. We’ll always do our best to accommodate your needs and assist with your projects as soon as we can. What’s more, we pride ourselves on offering competitive pricing, ensuring you receive maximum value for your money.
Contact JB Rawcliffe & Sons
If you would like to know more about machinery handling or the other services we provide here at JB Rawcliffe, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We’re always on hand to help and would love to hear from you.
You can either give us a call on 01695 737 880 to discuss your requirements in further detail or email your queries to enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com.