Getting a Backhoe Shipped

TractorGuy · Dec 8, 2015

I guess this is the right section for this topic.

I am looking into purchasing a used backhoe that is 155 miles away. I have no way to haul a 13000 lb machine so I will have to arrange to have it shipped. I figured going through uShip. They estimate $398. Anybody use them? Are their estimates accurate? Any special requirements I should ask for?

schmism · Dec 8, 2015

you can search for uship on the forums. I think the best advise ive seen given is making shure the person shipping has adequate enough equipment to do the job. From the talk it sounds as if there is a way to specify this like (min 15K lb GN deckover trailer) or some such.

Back when gas prices were twice as high as they are now my buddy was hauling for $4 a loaded mile so figure $3 today and that ballparks well with the estimate.

smstonypoint · Dec 8, 2015

You could try posting a "hauling wanted" ad over at Hauling Ads - Yesterday's Tractor Co..

Steve

flusher · Dec 9, 2015

JD855guy said:
I guess this is the right section for this topic.

I am looking into purchasing a used backhoe that is 155 miles away. I have no way to haul a 13000 lb machine so I will have to arrange to have it shipped. I figured going through uShip. They estimate $398. Anybody use them? Are their estimates accurate? Any special requirements I should ask for?

I've had several things shipped by uShip (IH Little Genius plow, JD 71 row planter). No problems with the shipper. $2.56 per mile is not too bad a price that you were quoted.

You can do better if you check around. I had a 1949 JD B tractor (about 4500 lb) shipped 400 miles for $1 per mile. Shipper was a retired couple with a Dodge Ram dually and a twin axle gooseneck trailer who specialize in shipping tractors up and down the West Coast. They were dead heading home from Seattle when I contacted them to pick up my load near Portland, OR. Worked out fine for both parties in the deal.

Good luck

davesl708 · Dec 9, 2015

Have you looked at Freight Quote? They link truckers with shippers to fill full loads or back haul. Might not hurt to get a second quote.

powerstroke444e · Dec 9, 2015

Check with your local rental yard and see who they use to move their equipment.

dfkrug · Dec 9, 2015

powerstroke444e said:
Check with your local rental yard and see who they use to move their
equipment.

I will second that. I have used rental yard shippers several times for local shipping. Very reasonable.

You should also consider other local shippers for that short of a distance. Make sure they are insured
to cover your load!

If a pal has a suitable truck and trailer, think twice. The cargo may not be insured if he does not
own the load.

Stimw · Dec 9, 2015

It cost me $450.00 to have this container moved 60 miles back in May.
You might check with local Heavy Haulers to see if they could bring it on a back haul.

roadhunter · Dec 9, 2015

I've shipped a few things with u-ship. It's a legit operation. Thier estimates can be way off +/-. HAve an auction and check it often. Drivers sills end you messages and you need to be able to answer quickly.

Copperhead · Dec 9, 2015

Right now, average flat bed rates as of late last week was at around $1.92 a mile. Into Florida will be higher than out of Florida. Florida is a "user" state, and trucks haul a lot in and and go begging for freight out, so outbound rates are normally in the toilet. To make up for that, inbound rates are a little higher than average. The rate you were quoted is probably in the target range. The broker (uShip) is taking their cut, which is usually more than they deserve. I would just contact a local cartage outfit and have a hotshot setup move the backhoe to you. You would get better service and maybe be able to negotiate a little bit better rate. As a trucker myself, I generally despise brokers, but I know they are a necessary evil to get loads matched up with trucks.

bdog · Dec 10, 2015

I have used uship a few times with good luck. Be careful though with something that size because there are lots of people on uship with trucks and or trailers not adequate for something that heavy that will try to haul it anyway.

I have a peterbilt and step deck and would haul it for $350 going that far but I am in Texas so that is no help to you.

It could be hauled safely on a tandem dual gooseneck behind a one ton dually.

CurlyDave · Dec 10, 2015

I have used uShip with good results.

I was honest with the weight of my backhoe and the cost was always exactly what they bid.

TractorGuy · Dec 30, 2015

Guess I'm fixing to find out. Just bought a BH that's 640 miles away. Seller says he has someone that will haul it for $2 a loaded mile. I went ahead and filled out a uship quote inquiry anyways just to see what comes back but the $2 figure sounds fair.

Barnbuilder · Dec 30, 2015

Find someone with a tandem rollback. The Bobcat dealer here has one. Maybe a rigging company. My JCB 212 weighed that and I used Uship when I sold it to ship it to Texas.

davesl708 · Dec 30, 2015

You might try Freight Quote. Ask about filling a back haul. They do the search for a truck.
Might save a few $$

wcampbell47 · Dec 30, 2015

JD855guy said:
I guess this is the right section for this topic.

I am looking into purchasing a used backhoe that is 155 miles away. I have no way to haul a 13000 lb machine so I will have to arrange to have it shipped. I figured going through uShip. They estimate $398. Anybody use them? Are their estimates accurate? Any special requirements I should ask for?

I am registered with Uship as a service provider. I don't haul much because I make more money with my tractor than hauling. As mentioned in the thread be honest with the weight. Check out the equipment the bidder has. Your backhoe is right on the edge of requiring a heavy duty equipment trailer or a tandem axle dual wheel mini float. I would not pull with less than a one ton truck. You can buy cargo insurance through Uship which may allow for a cheaper bid. Consider the haulers time in loading and chaining down the machine. In Texas I would have to chain down the tractor, the FEL and the backhoe separately to be legal. Doubtful his mileage is going to be much better than 6 to 8 mpg loaded. According to my calculations I would bid $2.40 per mile. That would pay me labor to chain it down, fuel, and a trip home with no back haul. Hope this helps.

JJZ 109 · Dec 31, 2015

Be ready for an email and telephone onslaught if you sign into any online services that promise to find trucks for your load. Brokers will inundate you and promise the moon.
I once had a 1997 F Super Duty (F450) bucket truck sold to someone in a neighboring state. Also thought I had a truck lined up within a certain time window through one of these outfits. Broker kept promising, truck never showed up. Buyer got frustrated and backed out after almost 3 weeks of waiting.

Copperhead · Dec 31, 2015

The big problem is layers between the shipper and the hauler. Brokers will try to come in lower to line up the load, and they offer it at a poverty rate to a hauler. When they do that, it takes a long time to line up a reliable hauler to do the load. Average flatbed rates for the SE U.S. is right now at about 2.18 a mile. Florida comes in at under $2 a mile. Tampa area is averaging $1.88. The broker is going to take a cut of the action, so the rate has to be higher than these numbers to the shipper. And the OP is asking for a short haul. That adds a premium to the price also. If my semi was pulling a flat, and I was doing the job, I would not even consider for less than $2.50 a mile, and probably not even take it at that rate unless I was desperate. I could be persuaded at $2.75-$3.00, but that is depending on the deadhead miles to come and get the load. I would have to be close by to make it worth it.