Snow Removal Equipment Shipping

Snow removal equipment (particularly units that have been in active service) typically carries residual salt, ice melt chemicals, sand, and debris on its surfaces and undercarriage. These materials can be corrosive to the carrier’s trailer and tie-down equipment, and many states have regulations against transporting equipment with soil or organic debris across state lines. Clean the equipment thoroughly before pickup: pressure wash the undercarriage, clean the plow blade or blower chute, and remove any debris from the hopper or spreader box on salt-spreading units.

Beyond carrier and regulatory considerations, cleaning the equipment before transport is good preventive maintenance. Salt and chemical residue that dries and concentrates on equipment surfaces during a multi-day transport can accelerate corrosion on metal components, particularly on plow blades, cutting edges, spreader chains, and hydraulic fittings. A thorough pre-transport wash protects your investment as much as it protects the carrier’s equipment.

Before booking, measure the equipment’s overall width, height in transport position, and total length. For plow trucks, measure the height with the plow in the raised transport position and the width with the plow blade fully angled to one side (this is often the widest transport configuration). For snowblower units and commercial blower equipment, measure with all chutes and extensions in the transport position.

Accurate dimensions are critical for two reasons: they determine the carrier type required (open carrier, flatbed, or step-deck), and they determine whether oversize permits are needed on the route. A plow truck with a wide straight blade may be within standard width when measured from the truck’s cab but exceed 8.5 feet when the blade is factored in. Confirming the actual transport width prevents permit surprises and carrier mismatches on pickup day.

For spreader units and v-box spreaders being transported with residual salt or ice melt material in the hopper, drain or empty the hopper before transport. Salt and ice melt products add significant weight to the spreader unit. A v-box spreader fully loaded with road salt can add several thousand pounds to the transport weight. More importantly, salt and chemicals in a hopper can shift during transport and create an uneven load that affects the carrier’s stability.

For liquid de-icing systems, drain all tanks before transport. Liquid de-icing chemicals are corrosive, and even sealed tank fittings can weep during the vibration of highway transport. An empty tank weighs less, eliminates the leakage risk, and reduces the unit’s transport weight for accurate permitting. If the spreader or liquid system cannot be fully drained for mechanical reasons, notify your SAC coordinator at booking so the actual transport weight can be factored into the carrier selection.

For plow trucks being transported with the plow attached, raise the plow to the transport position and secure it in that position. Most truck-mounted hydraulic plows have a transport chain or mechanical lock that holds the plow in the raised position when the hydraulic system is not active. Engage this lock before the carrier arrives. A plow that drops during transport can contact the carrier deck or another vehicle and cause significant damage.

For plow blades that are being transported separately from the truck (either because the plow is being shipped alone or because the blade configuration is better transported off the truck), ensure the blade is positioned flat on the carrier and secured with chains or straps at appropriate anchor points. Plow blades have sharp cutting edges that must be oriented safely during transport. Your SAC coordinator will communicate the blade’s specific configuration to the carrier before loading.

For snow removal equipment that needs to be driven or maneuvered onto a carrier trailer under its own power (plow trucks, skid steers with snow attachments, large walk-behind blowers with drive systems), confirm the equipment is in operable condition before the pickup date. Check the battery, fuel level (keep at approximately a quarter tank), and confirm the drive system functions correctly.

For equipment that has been in off-season storage, check the battery charge and fuel condition before the pickup date. A unit that has been sitting since the previous winter may have a discharged battery or degraded fuel. A pre-transport test run a day or two before pickup confirms operability and gives time to address any starting or drive issues before the carrier arrives. Non-operable equipment requires specialized loading equipment that must be pre-arranged. Notify your SAC coordinator at booking if the unit has any operability concerns.

For plow trucks and skid steer attachments with hydraulic systems, confirm all hydraulic hose connections and electrical harness plugs are disconnected and secured in their transport positions where the plow or attachment has been removed from the vehicle for separate transport. Loose hydraulic hoses can snag during loading and create oil spills on the carrier deck. Electrical harness plugs that are left dangling can catch on tie-down equipment during loading.

For units being transported with hydraulic attachments still connected, confirm all hydraulic line connections are tight and that no fittings are weeping fluid. Hydraulic fluid on a carrier deck during transport creates a slip hazard and can damage other equipment on the same load. A quick inspection of all hydraulic connections before the carrier arrives takes five minutes and prevents one of the most common causes of equipment transport incidents.

The most important preparation step for seasonal snow removal equipment transport is booking early. Carrier demand for northbound snow equipment transport peaks in September and October as contractors and municipalities finalize their fleet positioning before the first snowfall. Booking in July or August for a September or October delivery is not too early. It locks in carrier availability before peak demand compresses it.

For equipment managers and contractors who move snow equipment annually between storage locations and service markets, establishing a SAC account and booking both the fall inbound move and the spring outbound move at the same time is the most efficient approach. Your SAC coordinator can schedule future pickup dates at any time, and having both legs of the annual move confirmed in advance eliminates the seasonal booking rush entirely. Call (866) 452-3657 before the fall rush to lock in your pre-season transport.