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Machinery Transport – Heavy Cargo up to 200 t with Low-Loader and Crane Loading

A machinery transport moves capital goods from the compact unit to heavy cargo of up to 200 t on the low-loader – including crane loading, permits and BF3/BF4 escort. Decisive is planning that thinks loading, route and installation at the destination together from the outset.

Machine hall – machinery transport

A machinery transport requires more than a free truck: weight, centre of gravity, dimensions and loading method determine the vehicle type, route and permit need. Whether a CNC machining centre, injection moulding machine, transformer or complete production line – decisive is planning that thinks loading, route and installation at the destination together from the outset.

Speed Logistics organises machinery transports in Germany, Europe and to non-EU countries – from the compact unit on the flatbed articulated truck to heavy cargo of up to 200 t on the low-loader. You receive a fixed-price quote within a few hours and a personal dispatcher who accompanies the project from inspection to delivery.

Scope of service in machinery transport

  • Low-loader and semi-low-loader transports for high, heavy and over-wide machines up to 200 t.
  • Machinery transport with crane loading: loading and unloading by mobile or loader crane, including slinging gear and a lifting plan.
  • Load securing to VDI 2700: lashing points, squared timbers and anti-slip mats matched to the weight and centre of gravity.
  • Dismantling interfaces: coordination with your machine builder or rigger, so that transport dimensions and lifting points match.

Plan permits and escort vehicles realistically

If the transport exceeds the standard dimensions, licences and special permits under the German road traffic regulations (StVO) are required; depending on the federal state and route, the permit lead time is one to three weeks. We check the route in advance digitally by GIS-supported route inspection for bridge loads, clearance heights and roundabouts, apply for the permits and, if needed, provide BF3/BF4 escort vehicles or police escort. This lead time you should factor into project deadlines from the start – we give you the realistic timeline with the quote.

Process: from enquiry to installation

You send us the machine data (weight, dimensions, centre of gravity, photos), the loading and unloading situation as well as the desired date. We choose the vehicle, clarify the crane and permit need and calculate a fixed price – depending on the machine weight and distance, the non-binding guide price is around €1,499–9,999, and large projects we calculate individually. On the transport day, the dispatch team coordinates the crane, driver and receiving plant until the machine stands on its foundation.

Machinery transports to non-EU countries including customs

Used and new machines we run regularly to Türkiye, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. The customs clearance we take over completely – export declaration, proofs of origin such as EUR.1 and the coordination of the import formalities in the destination country – as a door-to-door transport from EXW to DDP.

Checklist: these details we need for your quote

The more complete the data, the faster and more robust the quote. For the vehicle choice and permit check we need: weight and dimensions of the machine (length, width, height), the position of the centre of gravity, existing slinging or lifting points, photos from several perspectives as well as the loading situation at both sites – crane available, ground conditions, access and manoeuvring area for the low-loader or mobile crane.

On this basis we decide whether a standard articulated truck is sufficient or a low-loader, crane and permit are needed – a difference of several thousand euros and several weeks of lead time. Unsure about individual details? For complex projects we inspect the loading situation in advance and clarify open points directly with your operating staff.

From a single machining centre to relocating a complete production line: the earlier we are involved, the better the permit lead time, crane positioning and production window can be coordinated with each other – ideally contact us several weeks before the desired date.

Frequently asked questions: Machinery Transport

How much lead time does a permit-requiring machinery transport need?

For transports over the standard dimensions, licences and special permits must be applied for – the lead time is one to three weeks depending on the federal state and routing. Speed Logistics checks the route in advance by GIS analysis and applies for all permits, but gives you the realistic timeline for your project deadline already in the quote.

Up to what weight are machinery transports possible?

With low-loaders and heavy-haulage combinations we move machines and plant parts up to 200 t. For standard machines up to around 24 t payload, a flatbed or mega trailer is often sufficient – this is decided based on weight, height and centre of gravity. We choose the most economical vehicle that carries your machine safely.

What do BF3 and BF4 escort mean?

BF3 and BF4 designate private escort vehicles for abnormal and heavy transports: BF3 secures the traffic with warning panels, BF4 additionally has a variable traffic sign system and can intervene to regulate traffic. Whether and how many escort vehicles are needed is determined by the permit authority – we organise them as part of the fixed price.

Does Speed Logistics also take over the crane loading of the machine?

Yes. We organise machinery transports with crane unloading and loading completely: mobile or loader crane, slinging gear, lifting plan and coordination with your hall staff. This way you have one party responsible for lifting and driving – and no interface problems between the crane company and the forwarder. The crane service is designed for the weight, reach and ground conditions and is shown transparently in the fixed-price quote.

What does a machinery transport cost?

Decisive are the machine weight, dimensions, distance as well as the crane and permit need. Depending on the lane and lead time, the non-binding guide price is around €1,499–9,999; heavy-cargo projects with police escort we calculate individually. You receive a binding fixed-price quote from Speed Logistics within a few hours with no hidden ancillary costs.

Can used machines also be transported to Türkiye or North Africa?

Yes, that is one of our core lanes. We run machines as a direct transport to Türkiye, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia – including the export declaration, proofs of origin such as EUR.1 and coordination of the import clearance. Door to door from EXW to DDP, with one contact for the entire chain.

Which details does Speed Logistics need for a robust machinery transport quote?

Required are the weight and dimensions (length, width, height), the position of the centre of gravity, existing slinging or lifting points, photos from several perspectives as well as the loading situation at both sites – crane available, ground conditions, access and manoeuvring area. The more complete the data, the faster and more robust the fixed-price quote; complex loading situations are inspected in advance.

Why does the loading situation determine the vehicle choice and costs?

From the weight, centre of gravity, dimensions and the conditions at the loading and unloading point it follows whether a standard articulated truck is sufficient or a low-loader, crane and permit are needed – a difference of several thousand euros and several weeks of lead time. That is why the loading situation is clarified before dispatch, not only on the transport day.

Request machinery transport

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