A friend of mine made a bucket-list purchase of an antique, forest green, Jaguar coupe. I can assure you he took every care to ensure it showed up at his door as spotless as the pictures he received from the showroom seven states away. When you purchase a machine, you are spending on average two to three times as much as my friend spent on his Jaguar – do you insist on a proven process so that your machine shows up in the condition you expected?
Nothing in life is ever guaranteed, but if we at least aim at the bulls-eye we have a chance of hitting it. In general, we have found our process enhances the likelihood of safety and limits disappointment:
- Make certain only fully bonded and insured vendors touch your machine (both the rigging company and the truck line).
- Require photos of your machine decommissioned, and prior to the day of loading, to ensure you are satisfied with the preparation of the machine.
- Request photos of the machine the day of load out so that you have something to compare to once the truck pulls into your lot (and before you sign the Bill of Lading).
Please do not go for the cheapest bid when choosing a rigger. Choose someone the seller knows or has had previous experience using. You can get lucky with a wild-card, but I prefer not to roll the dice. Know this: every rigging company and every trucking company can easily provide their insurance docs. If they protest, or insist they are great, have integrity, or are insured – but refuse to provide docs – they are not insured and will try to fool you on other issues as well.
Photos of a machine after decommissioning, and received prior to loadout, at least gives you a chance to request that the seller reposition a bracket or block on the chance you question the integrity of the packing job. They may complain (it’s rare), but it’s worth a shot and more times than not there is time to reposition or re-secure before the truck shows up.
Suggested photos at preparation stage:
- Brackets securing any axes (movable pieces inside work area) and controls, etc
- Padding and protection of CNC system and screen
- Potentially wrapping and padding of corners
Photos of the machine system secured to the truck are crucial for all your insurance purposes. (Important side note: many customers think that the rigging company is the responsible party who straps and chains the items to the truck bed, this is not correct. The rigging company has liability for your machine’s safety while it is in the air and on their forks. Once the machine is on the truck bed the truck driver now takes complete liability for the care of your machine.)
So once again it is critical that you hire a driver and a truck line that are a known commodity and can assure competency. THEY are the ones making the decisions whether or not to put a strap over the sheet metal of your Okuma LB-3000EXLY, or Doosan Puma TT1800SY. Some inexperienced drivers believe straps will hold that 20,000lb machine securely, regardless of hills, curves and sharp stops. If you need help finding reputable companies, check our Resource Center for recommendations.
Suggested photos at loading stage:
- Just after machines and ancillary items are placed on truck by rigging company
- Chained and strapped (PRIOR to tarps rolled on everything)
- Tarps fully placed and tied down, protecting your shipment from inclement weather
TRY AT ALL COSTS TO RECEIVE THESE PHOTOS BEFORE THE TRUCK DEPARTS THE LOT OF THE SELLING LOCATION. (We have been relieved when the truck broker acts on our concerns and gets the driver to pull over shortly down the road, tarp everything, document, send pics and continue down the road).
We hope the above equips you to know what expectations are reasonable and possible.
Here’s to your success!
 |  |  |