Professional Excavator Hauling Guide 2025

For lifting substantial amounts of soil, an excavator is the perfect piece of equipment. And when you want to relocate it, you may ask yourself a bunch of questions. We will help with that in our article.

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Welcome to Compare the Carrier, where your heavy equipment transport needs, particularly for excavators, are expertly handled. Whether you’re planning a cross-country move or need to ship your excavator overseas, navigating the complexities of such a task can be daunting. That’s where our expertise comes into play.

Our article is designed to guide you through the nuances of excavator hauling, offering insights into effective transportation strategies, rates, and essential considerations for a seamless experience. We’re here to simplify the process, whether you’re moving cars, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, trucks, golf carts, RVs, trailers, or heavy equipment. Dive into our guide for comprehensive knowledge and dependable solutions in excavator hauling and heavy equipment transportation, ensuring your machinery reaches its destination safely and efficiently.

What is Excavator hauling?

How does excavator transportation work? Cross country and overseas hauling

Excavator hauling rates for cross country and overseas transportation

What to pay attention to when hauling an excavator?

FAQ

What Is Excavator Hauling?

Excavator hauling is the specialized transportation of excavators, essential heavy machinery used in construction and excavation. These powerful units play a critical role in digging, landscaping, and site preparation. The hauling process is vital for safely moving these large machines for local projects or long-distance relocations.

Professional excavator hauling services are indispensable for ensuring the safe transit of these large and complex machines while adhering to transportation regulations. From urban construction sites to remote project locations, efficient and secure hauling of excavators is crucial in keeping projects on schedule.

It’s an integral part of the broader field of hauling services, catering to various machinery transport needs in the construction industry.

How Does Excavator Transportation Work?

Cross Country Excavator Shipping

Having your excavator transported cross country is very easy with Compare the Carrier. You only need to request a quote by providing the pick-up and drop-off locations, model of the equipment, and your email (or phone number), so we could send you the details of shipping.

You will then receive a few quotes from the best US shipping companies that we collaborate with. Once you choose one, you need to provide the exact dimensions of the excavator if any modifications were made.

Your shipping manager will analyze the details, check the drivers, and assign one to transport your vehicle. They will also plan the route and take care of all the details like checking load restrictions, loading the vehicle on the trailer, and hiring an escort service (if needed).

Once the shipping date comes, the driver will negotiate the pick-up time with you, load the excavator, make sure it’s properly secured and head to the destination point.

Overseas Excavator Hauling

If you need to ship an excavator overseas or internationally, the process will be a bit more difficult: besides having your equipment shipped from port to port, it also needs to be transported to the port location.

So once you choose the shipping company, the manager will plan the transportation in 2 steps: decide what type of overseas shipping is required for your equipment (container, RoRo, or Flat rack) and book the shipping dates accordingly. After that, they will also schedule a driver to transport the excavator to the port.

Also when shipping any kind of vehicle overseas, you need to have additional documentation on file and your shipping manager will help you to take care of all these details.

Excavator Hauling Rates

Cross Country Excavator Transportation Rates

The weight of an excavator may vary from 8,000 lbs to 1,000 tonnes and the dimensions of the equipment affect the shipping rate, as well as mileage and transportation time frame. Besides that, transportation of a small vehicle differs from the transportation process of a large one as extra precautionary measures are required (like escort service). In the table, we offer you the average rate for shipping an excavator.

Mileage	Time in transit	Cost
up to 500 mi	1-2 days	$4 per mile
500 – 900 mi	3-4 days	$3.5 per mile
900 – 1500 mi	4-5 days	$2,5-3 per mile
1500 – 2000 mi	6-8 days	$2 per mile
more than 2000 mi	8-12 days	1.75 per mile
Get Your Exact Hauling Rate

Overseas Excavator Hauling Rates

As well as the rate for cross-country shipping, the overseas shipping rate depends on the vehicle dimensions (height, length, width, and weight) and also on the transportation type that is required. Unfortunately, there are no fixed rates for shipping different types of excavators, but we can provide you with the cost of some of the latest shipments.

	Transport Type, Distance	Cost
Caterpillar 300.9D	Container Kent, WA to Juneau, AK	$2980
Caterpillar 320	Ro-Ro Los Angeles, CA to Kahului, HI	$5945
John Deere 670G LC	Ro-Ro Anchorage, AK to Kent, WA	$9780
Get Your Exact Hauling Rate

Caterpillar 300.9D – Container transportation from Kent, WA to Juneau, AK – $2980

Caterpillar 320 – Roll-on/Roll-off, from Los Angeles, CA to Kahului, HI – $5945

John Deere 670G LC – Roll-on/Roll-off, from Anchorage, AK to Kent, WA – $9780

If you are planning to transport any kind of excavator overseas, we advise checking the rate in advance by requesting a quote here. It’s very simple as you only need to mention the name of the equipment and pick-up and drop-off places.

What To Pay Attention To
When Hauling An Excavator?

what to pay attention to when transporting an excavator

When shipping an excavator and preparing it for transportation, we advise you to pay attention to the following details:

1) Make sure you provided the accurate dimensions of the equipment as it affects the type of trailer or type of transportation required. Besides that, any load with a height over 13ft requires a special permit for transportation and some drivers do not have them.

2) Before equipment is loaded, make sure that loose items are secured and also that the cab and storage compartments have no personal items.

3) After the excavator is loaded, lower its arm with a bucket to the trailer, so it touches the deck.

4) Do not forget to check that windows, hatches, and doors are properly closed.

5) Chain down the excavator to secure the front and rear positions.

When transporting heavy equipment, it may be complicated and rather time-consuming to find the right company. But here, in Compare the Carrier, we have a number of top US carriers specializing in heavy hauling. They are ready to provide you with a stress-free experience, so you can be sure that your equipment will be shipped in the best way.

Excavator hauling is a crucial service in the construction and excavation industry, requiring expertise and attention to detail. Whether it’s for a local project or a cross-country move, the safe and efficient transportation of these heavy machines is essential. Understanding the complexities involved in heavy equipment hauling is key to ensuring that your excavators arrive at their destination safely and on time.

At Compare the Carrier, we’re dedicated to providing top-notch service in this specialized field, ensuring your heavy equipment’s needs are met with the utmost professionalism and care.

FAQ

Is there a weight limit for excavator hauling?

Weight limits depend on the hauling equipment and regulations of the transport route. Generally, we can accommodate a wide range of weights, from small 8,000 lbs excavators to those weighing over 100,000 lbs.

How is the cost of hauling an excavator calculated?

The cost is based on factors such as the excavator’s size and weight, distance of the haul, and any special requirements like escorts or permits.

Are there any preparations needed before hauling an excavator?

Preparations include securing loose parts, ensuring the excavator is clean, checking for any operational issues, and making sure the dimensions are accurately reported for transport planning.

Can excavators with attachments be hauled without removing them?

It depends on the attachment size and the overall dimensions. In some cases, attachments may need to be removed to comply with transport regulations.

How long does it typically take to haul an excavator across the country?

The time frame varies based on distance, route, and transport conditions. Generally, cross-country hauling can take from a few days to a week or more.