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Everything You Need To Know About Transporting An Abnormal Load
So, you work in an industry that transports large, cumbersome loads from A to B.
In most cases, it’s perfectly possible to use vans and lorries to transport such goods – but it depends on the type, size and weight of the consignment in question.
Any long, heavy or wide goods, unable to be split into several loads without undue expense or risk of damage (commonly referred to as abnormal loads), can pose a problem.
If you’re new to the industry, you’re probably wondering what abnormal transport is and how it works, right? Well, you’re in luck.
Here haulage experts, JB Rawcliffe & Sons Ltd, explain everything you need to know about heavy haulage and abnormal loads – including the legislations currently in place, the costs involved, and the perks of enlisting the help of a haulage company.
What is an abnormal load?
According to GOV.UK, an abnormal load is a vehicle that has:
- a load that weighs more than 44,000kg
- an axle load of more than 10,000kg for a single non-driving axle (or 11,500kg for a single driving axle)
- a width of more than 2.9 metres
- a rigid length of more than 18.65 metres
This includes (but is not limited to) transporting new trains to stations, aircraft to airports, industrial machines to factories, motorhomes to caravan sites, yachts to harbours, and oil tanks to businesses up and down the country.
Who should you contact if you need to transport a wide load?
If you need to transport any type of heavy haulage – either in the UK or internationally – you must notify the authorities.
Make sure you give early warnings to the police, highway authorities and bridge and structure owners, such as Network Rail, as you’ll need to allow time to get the necessary clearances. For instance, a Special Order application form must be completed 10 weeks before the scheduled date.
Highways England’s electronic service delivery for abnormal loads (ESDAL) is a brilliant tool to use. It allows you to plan your route and notify the relevant authorities of your proposed movements, find out about any potential route problems in plenty of time, and save vehicle details and routes for future reference.
Another great thing about ESDAL is it ensures safety for drivers, enabling them to prepare for possible restrictions that may occur along the way.
What is the legislation for moving an abnormal load, and why is it in place?
The legislation that covers the movement of wide loads is the Motor Vehicle (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order 2003, or STGO for short.
The STGO stipulates that hauliers planning on transporting abnormal loads are responsible for informing the highway, bridge and police authorities of their intentions.
Why? Well, pre-notifying bridge owners will allow them to check that the movement of a long, heavy or wide load will not place undue stress on structures being crossed. Plus, the transportation of said loads must not cause a hazard or harm to other road users.
Is a vehicle escort necessary?
The simple answer is it depends on the width, length and weight of the load, the proposed route, and the haulage company.
Generally, loads below 4.12m wide, 30m long and 100t don’t need a vehicle escort on roads.
Loads up to 4.6m wide, 30m long and 130t in weight can be transported on motorways without a police or private escort, although some haulage companies will request one or opt to self-escort – especially if there are mitigating circumstances.
For more guidance, refer to the Highways England voluntary code of practice.
How much does heavy haulage cost?
One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to heavy haulage and abnormal load transport is the cost.
Of course, no two haulage companies are the same and their initial quotes and prices will vary, depending on:
- The size, weight and length of the load – with large, long and unwieldy goods being more expensive to transport than smaller and lighter items.
- The length of the journey – the further haulage trucks have to travel, the more you’ll pay.
- The current cost of fuel – heavier items burn more fuel, meaning vehicles will need refuelling more frequently.
- Any additional services – should you require an escort vehicle or permit, this will add to the overall cost too.
It’s worth noting that abnormal loads will be more expensive than other heavy haulage services, purely because of the dangerous nature of transporting wide loads, and the need to notify the authorities.
To find out how much it will cost you to transport consignments safely and efficiently, contact a couple of haulage companies, preferably those that offer abnormal load transport and have vast experience. Request a quote from each, and make comparisons between their services and pricing.
Here at JB Rawcliffe, we’d be more than happy to discuss your haulage needs in more detail and offer a fair price. Get in touch to find out more.
What are the benefits of hiring a haulage company?
Transporting abnormal loads is never easy and can lead to various potential issues if not executed correctly.
That’s why, when you come to JB Rawcliffe for abnormal load transport and haulage, you can trust that we will assist you with notifying the authorities and keeping proceedings safe. Ensuring your consignments reach their end destination on time and in one piece.
Our haulage specialists have an abundance of experience when it comes to transporting all manner of goods – from expensive equipment to priceless parts and irreplaceable industrial machines. Whatever you need to transport, we can assure you it will be handled with great care and transported using only the most dependable vehicles.
To find out more about our abnormal load transport service, don’t hesitate to call us on 01695 737 880.
Transporting An Abnormal Load FAQs
We've provided unrivalled transport and heavy haulage services across the UK for over 45 years - so we know a thing or two about transporting abnormal loads.
There have been many challenges we have helped customers overcome in our more than four decades in heavy haulage, so you can rely on our experience.
An example would be our successful transportation of two heavy mill house castings from Sheffield to the Port of Goole. This was no easy task – our specialists faced challenges such as weight limits, night-time movement, bridging of structures and motorway contraflow.
Extensive planning and groundwork went into the operation before the haul was executed.
To combat the obstacles posed, our team of experts planned the route, bridged structures, organised special orders, police escorts, council liaisons and street furniture removal.
This enabled the abnormal loads to be moved without incident or damage.
We conduct this level of planning and careful execution for all of our clients, regardless of the load.
Not necessarily - an abnormal load requires an escort vehicle if it exceeds the dimensions and weights set out in the National Highways code of practice.
An abnormal load will require an escort vehicle if;
• The load width exceeds 4.1m for standard roads and 4.6m for motorways.
• The load reaches beyond 30.5m in length, except on the motorway.
• If the load weight exceeds 100 tonnes on standard roads and 130 tonnes on motorways.
Regional police forces may vary these measurements - JB Rawcliffe ensures they follow the requirements outlined by National Highways and local police.
Heavy haulage for abnormal loads is a specialist area and requires additional levels of qualifications and experience, as well as the correct equipment and more detailed logistical planning.
Always hire professionals with years of experience in transporting abnormal loads.
Equipment
Heavy lifting and abnormal vehicles are specialist machines designed to move heavy and awkward loads.
Heavy haulage companies have competent operators to control these machines and know what loading equipment to use depending on the load.
Planning
A knowledgeable firm such as JB Rawcliffe will evaluate and plan a haul from start to finish, addressing any hazards or challenges that may endanger loads.
From route planning to vehicle escort organisation, we ensure your load reaches its destination without incident.
Also known as a heavy or oversized load, abnormal loads can’t be taken apart like normal loads and are legally too weighty for lorry transportation. Instead, they must be lifted, loaded, and transported using specialist machinery and vehicles.
The standard criteria used to classify an abnormal load are as follows:
• A mass including and beyond 44,000 kg
• A diameter of 2.9m or more
• 27.4m or beyond in length
JB Rawcliffe uses hydraulic cranes or jacking systems to lift abnormal loads. Length, weight, and height are factored in when conducting a lift.
As for transportation, we use heavy-duty trailers and hauliers to carry your abnormal load to its destination.
Interested in our abnormal load transportation services? Call us on 01695 737880 or email us at enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com for more details and quotes.
Keeping Things Moving Over The Festive Period
Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But with the national lorry driver shortage, many Brits have already faced problems with low stock, long delivery times, and price rises.
At JB Rawcliffe & Sons, we are all about spreading yuletide cheer. That’s why, as heavy haulage specialists, we’re pulling out all the stops to ensure our customers’ consignments reach their end destination on time and in one piece.
Here we look at what makes us different from other haulage companies in the UK and what we can do to help you during the festive season and well into the new year.
Meeting increased demands at Christmas time
Excellent organisation
All retailers rely on drivers to transport goods to depots, stores, and customers’ homes.
Although many shoppers have witnessed gaps appearing in supermarket shelves as firms struggle to find drivers to collect produce from suppliers, the team at JB Rawcliffe can assure you that we plan every job from start to finish.
We execute the logistics and plan all routes to ensure every aspect runs as smoothly as possible. When you opt for heavy haulage with us, you can also trust that you’ll be kept in the loop at all times.
Maximum efficiency
If Christmas is your busiest time of year, like the majority of our customers, you can count on us to provide an efficient heavy haulage solution to match your tight timescales.
No task is too big or too small for our team. Our extensive fleet of vehicles is readily available to transport your goods and we can help to navigate even the most difficult of routes.
Much like Chris Rea’s Xmas jingle, many of our drivers will be driving home for Christmas too, so we will always allocate time for breaks to ensure the safety of your goods, and our fleet drivers and heavy haulage trucks.
Top-quality
During the festive period, our staff will be working quickly to ensure we meet your deadlines and the last post for Christmas. But that doesn’t mean we’ll compromise on quality or safety.
Something that sets us apart from other heavy haulage companies is that we are continually striving for excellence.
Our no.1 priority is to deliver a service that’s second to none – ensuring professionalism and efficiency. We also regularly invest in our heavy haulage trucks to ensure you (our customers) have the best choice of vehicles for your haulage requirements.
Want to know how we can help you?
The team at JB Rawcliffe has vast experience when it comes to heavy haulage and abnormal load transport. We have been offering our services to customers across the length and breadth of the country for many years and show no signs of stopping any time soon.
Whether you’re looking to recruit a new haulage company due to the driver shortage or you need a hand sending consignments at the busiest time of the year only, we are confident we can help.
To discuss your requirements in further detail, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Either call us on 01695 737 880 or email enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com, and we’ll get back to you.
How Can Heavy Haulage Benefit Your Industry?
If you need to transport heavy loads and oversized cargo, we can help.
JB Rawcliffe & Sons is a family-owned business with over 45 years of experience moving abnormal loads throughout the UK and beyond. Based in Skelmersdale – with excellent transport links to ports across the country – we are perfectly placed to meet our customers’ heavy haulage needs.
Heavy haulage can be an attractive option for businesses that would rather transport their goods in one big move, as opposed to hiring several smaller loads to make several journeys.
Whilst most industries can benefit, we thought we’d share some of the sectors we regularly provide our heavy haulage services for and the benefits. This way you can make an informed decision as to whether it’s right for you.
Aviation and aerospace
Need to transport heavy, sensitive, and irreplaceable aerospace components?
No job is too big or too small for the team at JB Rawcliffe, and we guarantee a dependable haulage service for defence, aircraft manufacturers, and aviation and space industries.
We work hard to ensure all parts and equipment are delivered on time and in one piece.
Construction
Heavy haulage is frequently used in the construction industry, and for good reason.
Employing the expertise of an experienced haulier not only provides peace of mind that your goods will be delivered safely and efficiently, it also allows every other aspect of the transportation process to run as smooth as possible.
With an extensive fleet at our disposal, we are delighted to be able to move all types of construction, plant, and oversized equipment used in the civil and infrastructure sector.
Oil and gas
Orchestrating the transportation of hazardous materials and pressure vessels between ports and factories requires specialist equipment and meticulous planning.
Luckily, as one of the UK’s leading heavy haulage companies, we are equipped to handle cargo of all shapes and sizes and carefully plan and execute the logistics.
In fact, we use vehicles that are specifically designed to carry petrochemical cargo, ensuring it reaches its end destination safely.
Power
Often, power generation companies seek help from heavy haulage specialists to move wide and heavy modular generators throughout the UK and Europe.
Here at JB Rawcliffe, you can be confident that our team is always on hand to assist. We offer a variety of jacking and skidding solutions for large and cumbersome generators, transformers and other power machinery, and do everything we can to keep costs and risks to a minimum.
Wind
Over the years, JB Rawcliffe has been working with renewable energy companies – providing heavy haulage for the delivery and logistics of wind turbines, components, and towers.
Our team appreciates that most sites are difficult to reach. However, we can offer a tailored transportation solution and draw on our expert strategies.
Could you benefit from heavy haulage?
At JB Rawcliffe, we understand that every industry is different.
Whilst some need help transporting abnormal loads and navigating difficult routes, others require an efficient solution for moving heavy machines and equipment from A to B.
That’s why we tailor the planning and execution of logistics to suit your specific heavy haulage requirements.
Find out more
If you would like to know more about heavy haulage or discuss your industrial needs further, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Always on hand to help, we would love to hear from you. Simply give us a call on 01695 737 880 or email enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com.
What is the process of our Heavy Haulage service?
Without the correct equipment, moving industrial machines and heavy equipment is an arduous task. But relax, JB Rawcliffe and Sons Ltd have a fantastic reputation for heavy haulage transport and take care of everything from planning and transportation, right through to installation.
Heavy haulage is a process – relied on by many industries to get oversized products to their end destination on time – that involves many safety and logistical factors. As an experienced heavy haulage company in the UK, JB Rawcliffe provides specialist haulage equipment and trained staff – offering a service that’s second to none.
How it works:
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Survey
Our heavy haulage services are great for transporting, installing and handling bulky items that are difficult to move – be it generators, turbines, cooling towers or industrial machines.
When transporting abnormal loads, even the slightest miscalculation can have severe consequences, so we need to make sure that we get every aspect of heavy haulage just right. We’ll work closely with you, conducting a detailed survey and inspection before preparing the transportation plan.
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Planning
Planning is key to a successful move, and here at JB Rawcliffe, we plan and execute logistics in intricate detail. We assess the potential security and environmental challenges that could be faced en-route – including obstructions, such as bridges, flyovers and overhead cables – and apply for permits and arrange vehicle escorts wherever necessary.
We’ll also consider the scale of the job, specific dimensions and weight of the equipment that needs transporting – ensuring our team uses the optimum heavy haulage truck for the job.
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Transportation
As a heavy haulage specialist, safety is crucial for us. Our haulage trucks are only ever operated by a fully qualified driver who has a wealth of experience in the industry.
For particularly challenging routes, we can draw on our 45 years’ experience and provide vehicle escorts to ensure the safe transit of your industrial equipment – making sure it arrives smoothly. We also incorporate the recommended ‘rest periods’ into the transportation plan to ensure maximum safety – especially for cargos being transported across the country.
By opting for JB Rawcliffe for heavy haulage in the UK, you can relax knowing that your machinery is being safely handled by highly trained personnel, using the latest equipment.
Contact us
If you’d like to take advantage of our heavy haulage services, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Always on hand to help, we will be more than willing to discuss your requirements in more detail. Either call us on 01695 737 880 or send an email to enquiries@jbrawcliffe.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to transport heavy goods throughout the UK or overseas?
Many industries use heavy haulage to execute their transportation needs – from renewable energy companies to farmers, oil and gas engineers and clients in the civil and infrastructure sectors.
Whatever industry you work in, the JB Rawcliffe team can partner with your business to ensure your consignments reach their final destinations safely and on time.
Our heavy haulage services can effectively save you money by reducing the need to hire or purchase haulage trucks outright while making processes more streamlined.
To find out more about heavy haulage and how JB Rawcliffe can help you, call 01695 737 880.
When it comes to heavy haulage you can expect to pay somewhere in the region of £1.50 per mile, but this can vary depending on numerous factors.
For example, if you need goods to be transported on the same day or overnight, you’ll likely be charged more – but you can trust that they’ll arrive promptly.
Similarly, longer journeys, larger vehicles and heavier loads will bump up the price considerably. This is to cover fuel costs and travel time, as well as the provision of a specially trained driver.
If you’d like to know how much heavy haulage will cost you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the JB Rawcliffe team. We’ll take your specific requirements into account and offer a fair yet competitive price.
By law, abnormal loads don’t need to be escorted.
However, the police often encourage the use of an escort vehicle when transporting an unusually large, long or heavy load for safety reasons.
An escort can alert other road users to the presence of an abnormal load, allowing them to give a wider berth when overtaking.
An escort can travel either ahead or behind the vehicle transporting the abnormal load. This way, if there are any potential obstructions (i.e. low bridges, tight bends, narrow roads, etc.) they can check clearance and help them to navigate the route safely.
If you require an escort vehicle for your heavy haulage, this can be arranged by the team at JB Rawcliffe. We’ll make sure your goods are transported as smoothly as possible.
There are several ways in which you can benefit from using a heavy haulage company – one of the main ones being expertise.
A reputable transport company will have vast experience in the industry, like ourselves at JB Rawcliffe. Our specialists are more than capable of providing a tailored solution to suit your transportation needs.
We will transfer your goods in a cost-effective way – saving you the need to hire or purchase haulage vehicles. On top of this, we will handle the entire process – including the planning and logistics – for an agreed rate.
Our professional team has knowledge in abundance. We know exactly how to operate the latest technology, ensuring your goods are handled safely and efficiently.
If you’d like to benefit from our heavy haulage service, please feel free to contact us. We’re always on hand to help and will happily discuss your requirements in further detail.