How to Prepare If You Need to Transport an Oversized Harvester
Posted on: 27 December 2019
If you own or operate a sprawling ranch, then you may produce a variety of different crops that will need to be harvested at different times. Your facility may be so large that you need to transport certain machinery from one part to other in order to cope with those diverse seasons. In this case, you might have to load a combine harvester on to a specially designed trailer and then transport it via the public road network to a remote part of your facility. However, in this case, you will need to have a concerted plan in place and involve others before you can go ahead. As this is the first time that you have attempted this exercise, what do you need to do?
Oversize and Overmass Permits
Much will depend on your state or territory as each jurisdiction may have broadly different rules but generally speaking, you'll have to apply for permission before you can transport what is classified as an "oversize or overmass" load.
Permits, Roads and Scheduling
Your harvester is much wider than the typical vehicle trailer and will, therefore, overhang on both sides. This means that it may encroach into another traffic lane when the load is in motion and you may find it very difficult to use certain roads due to the size differential. When you apply for a permit, you'll notice that certain roads are not available to you anyway, and you will need to plan your route via roads that have been passed as suitable for this exercise. You will, however, need to schedule the movement at a certain time of day so that it will cause as little disruption as possible and can be managed by the local authorities.
Escort Car Direction
You will definitely need the services of an escort car driver, or maybe more than one depending on the size of your load. This individual will have been trained and will have experience of such a movement. They will be able to advise you or your driver as the event unfolds.
Primarily, they will need to position their car to warn other road users and make sure that those other motorists do not enter a lane that may be obscured by the oversized load. They may also help to stop traffic if need be to allow the vehicle to drive through a more restricted area and will keep everything on track, to shorten the overall duration.
Teamwork
Don't underestimate the scale of this movement. Always bring in experienced planners and knowledgeable escort car drivers at the earliest stage. To learn more about escort vehicles, consult a resource in your area.
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