Got an agency gig next week moving plant (i assume on a low loader but dont know) any body do this sorta thing regularly.
Hints and tips for load security would be appreciated there is meant to be a bod with me to drive machinery on and off but a) that might not happen you know how these things change last minute and b) i am responsible for the load and i dont want him taking advantage of my lack of knowledge and saying stuff like “oh thats alright like that it dont need strapping down” just so he can get back to the yard and home 10 mins earlier and then the first bend i go round a mini digger or road roller goes for a dive off the side but at the same time i dont want to extract the urine and take all day strapping chaining everything and anything…
First of all, ask Big Joe.
As to some basic rules
- Secure it both backwards and forewards, especially if it has wheels.
- If it has hydraulics secure to both sides anything that is moved by them, they can move all by themselves and not just down to movement of the truck. A JCB boom and bucket swung out sideways near Nottingham a few years ago and wiped out a bus. Dead and injured resulted.
- Then secure just as you normally would with any load that might be a bit top-heavy.
Salut, David.
As for securing the load I’d agree with everything Spardo says.
A couple of seasonal points to watch out for.
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Tracked machines, especially metal tracked ones, can slide about on the trailer deck and ramps very easily this time of year. Take special care when going over the pivot between ramps and trailer decks especially when coming off the trailer.
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Expect to turn up to collect a machine from site to find it still caked in mud. It’s your responsibility if any mud comes off while you are going down the road so be prepared to spend time digging out tracks or refuse to load it.
At the end of the day you’ve got to be happy with your load so chain down then take another walk round and if your not happy then add another chain. To the best of my knowledge nothing has ever fallen off a lorry as a result of having too many chains on.
Cheers
neilf
as you don’t have any experience i very much doubt you will be involved in anything big and heavy, you will probably be on small plant machinery like cherry pickers and mini diggers, even steam cleaners come under the veil of small plant equipment.
i assume you don’t have a plant operators licence either so will probably have to have the equipment loaded and off loaded for you, some places don’t get fussy but others will want to see your plant licence before you handle the equipment.
always secure everything and ask if there is any other parts for the machinery ie shuttering, buckets or chains etc.
Keep your face away from chain stretchers, they’ve a habit of suddenly springing open! I learned this the hard way - lost 11 teeth, broke my lower jaw in 4 places, broke my upper jaw in 4 places too, and split the roof of my mouth open!!!
johnny:
as you don’t have any experience i very much doubt you will be involved in anything big and heavy, you will probably be on small plant machinery like cherry pickers and mini diggers, even steam cleaners come under the veil of small plant equipment.
Probably correct its what i had in mind also
johnny:
i assume you don’t have a plant operators licence either so will probably have to have the equipment loaded and off loaded for you,
Correct again
johnny:
ask if there is any other parts for the machinery ie shuttering, buckets or chains etc
A very good point thanks 
brummie:
Keep your face away from chain stretchers, they’ve a habit of suddenly springing open! I learned this the hard way - lost 11 teeth, broke my lower jaw in 4 places, broke my upper jaw in 4 places too, and split the roof of my mouth open!!!
OUCH 
You don’t need a plant licence to load and unload the machines, only for operating them.
I have been loading and unloading plant for 2yrs now, for various large companies, who I hasten to add are very strict on all aspects of safety and have confirmed that with them.
Yes, a majority of times, the machine operator will be on site and will load it for you, but don’t bank on it. They will also advise you on how it is normally chained.
However, you are responsible for the load and if you feel extra chains are needed, do it. YOU CAN’T OVERCHAIN THE MACHINE.
John
PS… watch those tightners, as said above, they will fight back 
You don’t need a plant licence to load and unload the machines, only for operating them.
I have been loading and unloading plant for 2yrs now, for various large companies, who I hasten to add are very strict on all aspects of safety and have confirmed that with them.
Yes, a majority of times, the machine operator will be on site and will load it for you, but don’t bank on it. They will also advise you on how it is normally chained.
However, you are responsible for the load and if you feel extra chains are needed, do it. YOU CAN’T OVERCHAIN THE MACHINE.
John
PS… watch those tightners, as said above, they will fight back
Ok OK cornish i heard you the first time 
Some good points though thanks…
i used to work for hewden hire centers in cambridge, ■■■■■■ pickup and twin axle plant trailor with mini diggers, skip loaders, bomag rollers and loads of other stuff.
on 360 machines never trust the spin lock, they are worse than useless!! it only takes a few seconds to put a strap around the dipping arm and imobilise it. as has beeen said, a small 1.5t machine can do some serious damge a 30t machine is deadly if it moves and costly!!
goes the same as any load, secure the bugger so it cant move.
best of luck with it
chris