What Is a Heavy Equipment Mover?

A heavy equipment mover transports machinery used in manufacturing, research, and medical settings. Large machines require careful handling to reduce the risk of damage, including the use of specialized equipment to load, haul, and unload equipment. Firms specializing in moving heavy equipment use trained personnel and may offer a range of other services to their clients, like assembly and storage, to allow people to meet all their needs through one company. Training is usually provided on the job, although applicants for open positions may find it helpful to have certifications in heavy equipment driving like licenses to drive big rigs and training on forklifts and other warehouse equipment.

When clients contact a heavy equipment mover, the origination and end destinations can be discussed to determine what kinds of services are needed. A full service move might include taking apart the equipment at the origin, loading it up, transporting it to the destination, erecting it, and testing it to confirm it is in good working order. Storage services can also be required if a facility isn’t ready for a move, in which case the firm might agree to handle the equipment in a warehouse or storage yard until the customer is ready for it.

Special skills are required to safely load and secure equipment for transport. The heavy equipment mover can work with rigging to carefully haul the equipment onto a flat bed or load it into containers. Ropes and other tools are available to strap it in place so it doesn’t move. Fragile components may also require padding and other measures to prevent breakage. Transit can include road, rail, and ocean, with periodic checks to confirm the equipment is still safely secured.

Job training for a heavy equipment mover usually covers topics like safety, proper loading technique, and handling techniques for the assembly and disassembly of heavy equipment. Firms may handle a variety of products ranging from magnetic resonance imaging machines for hospitals to production line equipment for manufacturers. They need to be familiar with the mechanical systems they handle in order to arrange for safe, reliable transportation.

Injuries can be a risk for a heavy equipment mover. This can include injuries from improperly secured equipment. Safety gear can be worn to reduce risks, and people may wear back braces to support their spines while they handle heavy and cumbersome machinery. Workplaces may have regulations like anti-drug requirements to limit the chances of impairment on the job, ensuring that personnel can work safely.