Tractor & Heavy Equipment Shipping — Flatbed, Step-Deck & Lowboy Transport

Most states limit a load's total height to about 13′6″, so the trailer's deck height decides how tall your equipment can be.

Flatbed: A deck about 5 feet off the ground, so cargo up to roughly 8′6″ tall rides without a height permit. The go-to trailer for compact tractors, skid steers, ATVs, and smaller machinery.

Step-deck: A lower rear deck, about 3½ feet high, fits cargo up to roughly 10 feet tall. Common for mid-size tractors and taller equipment.

Lowboy (RGN): A deck just 18–24 inches off the ground, with a detachable front so equipment can drive on. Lowboys carry the tallest and heaviest machinery — excavators, dozers, and large farm tractors.

Lowboy trucking is the standard for equipment that's too tall or too heavy for a flatbed. The removable gooseneck (RGN) lets the front of the trailer detach and drop to the ground, forming a ramp so tracked or wheeled machinery can drive straight onto the deck.

Standard lowboys typically carry around 40,000 pounds, and multi-axle trailers carry much more. Lowboy delivery takes more planning than flatbed delivery: the truck and trailer are long, so the delivery site needs room to maneuver and firm, level ground for unloading. Share photos of both locations when you book so the carrier can plan access.

Equipment that exceeds legal limits needs a permit from every state on the route.

Width: Loads wider than 8′6″ need an oversize permit. Many states also require pilot or escort vehicles once a load passes about 12 feet wide.

Height: Loads taller than about 13′6″ overall need a height permit and a route that avoids low bridges and overpasses.

Weight: Loads that push the truck over 80,000 pounds gross need an overweight permit.

Travel restrictions: Many states limit oversize loads to daylight hours and restrict weekend and holiday travel, which can add time to the trip.

The carrier obtains the permits, and their cost is included in your quote. Accurate dimensions matter — a load that's measured wrong can be stopped at a weigh station.

Every heavy haul is quoted individually because the equipment varies so much. The main cost factors are:

• Trailer type: a flatbed costs less than a step-deck, and a lowboy costs the most
• Dimensions and weight: oversize and overweight loads add permit and escort costs
• Distance and route: longer routes cost more overall, and each extra state adds permits for oversize loads
• Loading: self-propelled equipment drives on; non-running machines need a winch, forklift, or crane
• Timing: flexible dates let a carrier combine your equipment with other freight

A compact tractor that fits on a standard flatbed costs far less to ship than a combine that needs a lowboy and escorts. Call us with your equipment's make, model, and dimensions for an exact quote.

• Measure length, width, height, and weight with attachments installed, and send the numbers before booking
• Lower buckets, booms, and loaders, or remove attachments and secure them separately
• Remove or tie down loose parts, tools, and anything that could blow off at highway speed
• Close and latch cab doors and windows
• Take photos of the equipment from all sides
• Leave the keys for the driver and note any quirks in starting or operating the machine
• Make sure both locations have room for a long truck and firm ground for loading