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Heavy Haulage – low-loaders up to 200 t with permit and escort

A heavy-haulage transport becomes necessary as soon as the load bursts 40 t gross weight or the standard dimensions (over 2.55 m width or 4 m height). Speed Logistics organises low-loaders up to 200 t payload including permit management, route checking and BF3/BF4 escort; the permit procedure takes 5 to 21 days.

Heavy-haulage low-loader with an oversized vessel load

A heavy-haulage transport becomes necessary as soon as your load bursts the limits of standard transport: more than 40 t permissible gross weight or dimensions above 2.55 m width or 4 m height. Speed Logistics organises heavy-haulage traffic with low-loaders up to 200 t payload – including permit management per federal state, route checking and BF3/BF4 escort through to police escort.

Important for your planning: heavy haulage needs lead time. Depending on federal state, route and weight class, the permit procedure takes, from experience, 5 to 21 days. In return you get a complete solution in which transformer, press part or construction machine arrives at the destination safely, legally and on time – on request cross-border including customs clearance.

Typical heavy-haulage goods

Among the most frequent loads are transformers and generators from power engineering, presses, injection-moulding machines and machining centres from machine engineering, excavators, crawlers and crane components from construction and lifting technology, as well as vessels, apparatus and modules from plant engineering. Each of these types of goods places its own demands on lashing points, centre-of-gravity position and load securing – we clarify these points before dispatch with your technical contact so that loading and crane positioning run smoothly on the day. We also handle used machinery and dismantling projects – including advice on whether disassembly into transportable units can noticeably reduce the permit effort and the costs.

Equipment: the right low-loader for every weight class

We dispatch low-loaders and special trailers in the common classes up to 50 t, 100 t, 150 t and 200 t – from the semi low-loader for construction machines through drop-deck girder bridges for transformers to multi-axle module combinations. Which configuration fits results from weight, centre of gravity, dimensions and the conditions at the loading and unloading site. Axle loads and ground clearance we check before booking so that there are no surprises at ramps, curve radii and bridges.

Permits and escort vehicles

  • Permit and authorisation procedures: application per federal state and for every transit country on the route
  • Route checking: comparison with bridge loads, clearance heights and construction sites before the application is submitted
  • BF3/BF4 escort: private escort vehicles with variable message signs; where required we coordinate the police escort
  • Night runs and time windows: many heavy-haulage routes can only be driven at night or in officially set windows – we cadence accordingly

Process: from enquiry to unloading

You provide us with dimensions, weight, centre-of-gravity position as well as loading and unloading location. We check feasibility, plan the route and calculate a fixed-price offer – you receive the first response within a few hours. As non-binding orientation, heavy-haulage transports move, depending on weight class, lane and permit effort, often within a guide value of around €2,000–15,000. After release we submit the applications, organise escort vehicles and crane positioning and accompany the trip on the dispatch side through to unloading – with status updates on every critical section of the route.

Heavy haulage internationally and to non-EU countries

Cross-border heavy-haulage traffic requires permits in every transit country – we coordinate the procedures along the entire route, for example towards Türkiye or the Gulf region, and handle the complete customs clearance from EXW to DDP. So you have a single person responsible for permits, vehicle, escort and customs – and a deadline promise that takes every link in the chain into account.

When does a transport require a permit?
CriterionStandardOversized transport (over-dimension)Heavy haulage (overweight)
Widthup to 2.55 mover 2.55 m
Heightup to 4.00 mover 4.00 m
Lengthup to 16.5–18.75 mabove
Weightup to 40 tover 40 t (up to 200 t)
Permitnone1–3 weeks lead time5–21 days lead time

Frequently asked questions: Heavy Haulage

From when does a transport count as heavy haulage?

As soon as the permissible gross weight of 40 t is exceeded or the load clearly bursts standard dimensions, for example more than 4 m width or height. Then a permit under road traffic law, a checked route and, depending on the conditions, escort vehicles are required – Speed Logistics organises all of this completely.

How long does the heavy-haulage permit take?

From experience 5 to 21 days, depending on federal state, weight class and route complexity. The permit must be in place for every federal state driven through and, for international transports, for every transit country. Plan this lead time firmly – we start the procedure directly after your release.

Which weights can Speed Logistics transport?

We dispatch low-loaders and module combinations in classes up to 50 t, 100 t, 150 t and 200 t payload. Besides the weight, the centre-of-gravity position, dimensions and the conditions at the loading and unloading site are decisive – we check these points together with you before the binding booking.

What does BF3 and BF4 escort mean?

BF3 and BF4 are private escort vehicles that secure the heavy transport; BF4 additionally has a variable message sign system for traffic guidance. Whether and how many escort vehicles are needed is set by the permit authority as a condition. Where police escort is required, we coordinate the appointments with the authorities.

What does a heavy-haulage transport cost?

Depending on weight class, lane, permit and escort effort the non-binding guide value is often around €2,000–15,000. We prepare a robust fixed-price offer after checking dimensions, weight and route – you receive the first response from our dispatch team within a few hours.

Are international heavy-haulage transports with customs clearance possible?

Yes. We coordinate the permits in every transit country and, for non-EU destinations such as Türkiye or the Gulf region, handle the complete customs clearance – on request door to door from EXW to DDP. You thus have a single contact for permits, vehicle, escort and customs.

What details and lead time are needed for heavy haulage?

For feasibility and vehicle choice we need dimensions, weight, centre-of-gravity position as well as loading and unloading location. The permit lead time of 5 to 21 days must be firmly factored in, since the permit must be in place for every federal state driven through and, for international transports, for every transit country. Axle loads and ground clearance are checked before booking so that there are no surprises at ramps, curves and bridges.

Why can disassembly into part-units reduce costs and lead time?

If a machine or plant is broken down into transportable units, oversize and overweight decrease – and with them often the permit effort including escort vehicles. This can shorten the lead time and noticeably reduce the transport costs. Speed Logistics therefore advises in advance whether disassembly makes economic sense in the specific case.

Request heavy haulage

Contact our dispatch team – fixed-price quote within hours, available 24/7.