If you're moving a piece of heavy machinery on a flatbed trailer, that jobs requires a lot of care and concentration. However, if the wind is blowing hard, you need to be even more careful. Here are some tips you may want to consider if you want to get your heavy equipment to its new location safely and without injury.

1. Use Extra Ties on Your Load

Typically, the state or territory you are driving through will have explicit rules on how you need to secure a heavy haulage load. To be on the safe side, you should always use extra securements on your load if it is windy. For example, if you normally use three ratchet straps, consider using six. On the other hand, if you normally use straps, consider using chains instead to hold down your load.

2. Lower All Tools & Attachments

Also, be sure to lower or remove any extraneous attachments and tools. To illustrate, imagine you're hauling a JCB backhoe loader. The load will be destabilised if the bucket is extended. Rather, the ideal position is down and as close to the rest of the machine as possible. This is also true for forklifts or any other machinery that has attachments — that can be very destabilising for the equipment and that is amplified in very windy conditions.

3. Consider Covering the Equipment

You may also want to cover the equipment before you move it. Heavy duty tarps can smooth out the lines of the heavy equipment you are moving, allowing the wind to move more easily over those items and helping to reduce friction. However, you need to make sure that you fasten and refasten any tarps. You don't want to risk them blowing off and causing an accident.

4. Slow Down

Once you finally get on the road, you need to take it slow and steady. In most cases, the faster you go, the more likely the wind is to affect your load. In times of extreme gusts, you may just want to pull over and wait until the wind passes.

5. Know When to Expect Gusts

As you are hauling a heavy load, you should also pay attention to areas where the wind is likely to gust. For example, if you drive past a tree line, the wind will be likely to hit you hard once you pass the tree line and the road is running along an empty field. Similarly, when you come out from under bridges or overpasses, the wind will also tend to be more concentrated. You need to brace yourself for these spots.

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