Specialized Equipment

Drayage involves the transportation of standardized shipping containers, which often require specialized equipment for improved handling. Specialized equipment used by drayage services includes but is not limited to, container chassis, intermodal trailers, reach stackers, and terminal tractors. This equipment offers height and weight capacities to accommodate heavily loaded containers while complying with safety regulations. Additionally, specialized equipment for drayage is compatible with port cranes and rail yard infrastructure to ensure seamless transportation of goo

A triaxle chassis is a type of trailer or truck chassis equipped with three axles to increase load-bearing capacity and stability. Featuring a linear arrangement of three axles, the triaxle chassis effectively distributes cargo weight more evenly to prevent imbalance while transporting heavy loads.

Triaxle chassis guarantees safe and secure movement of:

• Heavy machinery

• Bulk construction materials (concrete blocks, steel beams)

• Oversized loads

• Trucks and other heavy vehicles

• Bulk cargo (gravel, sand, coal)

The 20/40 triaxle chassis features three consecutive axles for enhanced weight distribution and accommodates 20-foot and 40-foot shipping containers. This chassis is ideal for intermodal transport and for moving heavier loads that need reinforced stability.

An intermodal chassis is a wheeled structure that operates as a platform or base on which shipping containers can be moved over land. Its primary function is facilitating container movement between different transportation modes, such as trains, ships, and trucks.

Intermodal chassis are constructed from high-strength steel (HSS) to support standard container sizes, including 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot containers. Some intermodal chassis can be adjusted to accommodate other container sizes.

Capable of withstanding 550 MPa of tensile strength, HSS offers reliable support for excessive weight (up to 75,000 pounds) compared to standard steel. Intermodal chassis types include extendable, fixed-length, and tank chassis for specialized cargo.

Flatbed trailers are truck trailers with a flat, open deck unrestricted by a roof or sides. They also have a sturdy frame and tie-down points for securing various loads. Because they have no sides to obstruct container movement, flatbed trailers facilitate cargo loading and unloading using cranes, forklifts, and similar equipment.

Due to their open design, flatbed trucks can carry many types of cargo. They transport construction materials like steel beams and lumber, heavy machinery such as excavators, and bulk freight like steel coils and hay bales. In addition, flatbed trucks ensure secure loading and unloading processes for large or irregularly shaped materials.

Also called drop deck trailers, step deck trailers feature a two-level deck that streamlines the transport of taller items and offers greater flexibility for accommodating contrasting load heights. A higher deck occupies the front and rear of the step deck trailer, while the lower deck is in the middle, giving the trailer its step-like appearance.

The lower deck’s proximity to the ground allows taller cargo to be transported without breaching height restrictions. Oversized or taller loads incompatible with a flatbed’s dimensions can be easily moved using a step-deck trailer.

The primary differences between a flatbed and step deck are:

• Deck height: flatbeds have one level. Step decks have an upper and lower deck

• Height capacity: step decks are better suited for taller loads than flatbeds

• Loading flexibility: step decks are more adaptable for ramps and forklifts compared to flatbeds

Heavy haul services transport oversized and overweight loads that exceed standard shipping dimensions and weight limits. Essential for moving heavy cargo that cannot be transported using regular freight methods, heavy haul services utilize specialized equipment to safely and affordably transport materials across short and long distances.

In addition to step deck, multi-axle, and lowboy trailers, heavy haul companies also use various support vehicles, such as pilot cars that follow or lead heavy haul trucks, to help

drivers navigate unexpected issues during the transportation process. Cranes, forklifts, winches, and chains ensure heavy items are smoothly loaded, unloaded, relocated, and secured during transport.

Transporting oversized or wide loads demands compliance with state-specific regulations, which means permits must be obtained for each state that wide loads are expected to traverse. In addition, compliance with Federal Highway Administration (FHA) laws is necessary for interstate hauls.
Precise route planning is also essential for streamlining the transportation of wide loads. Road conditions, bridge clearances, and weather forecasts are factors we consider when planning routes for hauling wide loads in the U.S.

Refrigerated trailers, commonly called reefers, are modified transport vehicles with temperature control systems that maintain a specific temperature range for perishable goods. Depending on cargo requirements, reefers can regulate temperature settings ranging from -20°F. to over 70°F. Heavily insulated walls and forced-air systems ensure refrigerated trailers keep goods cool or frozen at pre-set temperatures.

Reefers provide reliable transportation of perishable goods like meats, fruits, vegetables, and pharmaceutical products. They are essential to cold chain logistics for maintaining specific temperatures from the production of the goods to their final destination to preserve product safety and usability.

Relying on specialized equipment for cargo transportation significantly enhances logistics efficiency, ensures that perishables and hazardous materials are handled appropriately, and maximizes compliance with state and federal transportation regulations.