Transporting large and/or heavy machinery like rendering machines and screed pumps is now more frequently done by towing them on the back of a van or truck, as these machines have become larger and heavier over time, making this the fastest and most convenient method of moving them. However, with equipment and machinery towing comes a lot of safety aspects and responsibilities for the tower.
Ensuring that your vehicle is suitable for towing heavy machinery is crucial. Verify that the engine is sufficiently powerful to handle the trailer and load, and that the brakes are capable of safely stopping both the vehicle and trailer. Attaching a loaded trailer to a vehicle will significantly impact its performance. Starting, especially on hills, can become more strenuous; stopping may require longer distances; and extra caution is needed when cornering and navigating sharp turns. There are also speed limits you must not exceed when towing construction machinery and that depends on the weight, the vehicle and the road and it is the drivers/towers responsibility to check this. You should refer to both the vehicles and the machines manufacturers booklet and recommendations for further advice.
Loads must be firmly secured or restrained and correctly secured. No part of the load should extend beyond the trailer, as this could pose a risk to other road users.
When transporting uneven loads, it is essential to ensure that each wheel and axle is not overloaded. Additionally, all lights should function properly, and the number plate must be correctly fitted. The tyre pressures should be accurate, and all tyres must be free from cuts, bulges, and have sufficient tread. Additionally, the wheel nuts/bolts need to be tightened to the appropriate torque. The trailer should then be properly attached to the tow ball or pin.
It is also important that tow bars (for road towable units) are checked since a damaged tow bar could harm the driver, other road-users and pedestrians if they were to fail.
CES Hire offers everything you need for towing your rendering machines and screed pumps, along with expert advice from our team members, especially our driver who loads and then delivers the machines to sites! We can prepare your machine for attachment to your vehicle, all ready to go, if you are collecting a machine, and also demonstrate how you can do it yourself in the future. We also sell the other attachments and accessories you may require for towing, including the Tow Lighting cable 3m long 7 Pin to connect your lights, as well as the lighting boards, break away cables, tow bar heads and spare wheels for the machines themselves. Somebody here will be able to let you know the correct accessories for your particular machine- contact us on sales@ces-hire.com or 01494 715472 if you want to know more or order anything to go with your machine.