What Does a Heavy Equipment Mover Do?

A heavy equipment mover transports machinery by tractor trailer or crane to a specified area. Tractor trailer transport is normally for moving construction machines between project sites, whereas a crane heavy equipment mover uses a stationary tower to lift machines to and from a flatbed truck. Most movers must be able to operate both the transport vehicle as well as the heavy equipment for a cost effective transport business.

Construction machines, such as motor graders, are often very large and cannot be driven down a typical street or highway. The heavy equipment mover is a critical job for a profitable construction company; this worker must make sure that the machine reaches the destination safely on a tractor trailer and in a reasonable amount of time. On a daily basis, the heavy equipment mover must examine and analyze each hauling trip's load for proper placement, effectively ensuring the safety of the driver and surrounding traffic.

Typically, the heavy equipment mover will drive the machine onto the tractor trailer. He or she will finely adjust the machine's wheels or tracks across the truck's flat bed area so that the weight is evenly distributed. Locks, straps, and chains are commonly used to secure the machine to the tractor trailer; it is the mover's responsibility to check each securing point for overall safety.

Height clearances of surrounding bridges and overpasses must be analyzed before deciding on a driving route to the next job site. The heavy equipment mover must be acutely aware of the machinery's height so that the load will not strike and damage overpasses during the transport trip. Improper height clearances can lead to costly damage for both the truck, machine, and infrastructure.

Movers who use a crane for transporting heavy equipment have slightly different job duties. The crane is normally positioned in a stationary area on a job site. Heavy equipment that cannot be driven onto a tractor trailer may be lifted onto the truck. Crane operators must gauge the equipment's weight and balance as it is lifted into the air; this profession requires a highly accurate touch with the crane controls for safe operation.

Many equipment moving businesses have limited budgets for employee payrolls. As a result, many heavy equipment movers must also operate the machine once they reach the destination. For example, a construction site may need a large hole dug by a backhoe. The heavy equipment mover will drive the fully loaded tractor trailer to the job site, unloads the machine, and performs the needed digging. Once the work is complete, he must place the machine back onto the tractor trailer after completing the work and return to the company's headquarters.