Using industrial, heavy-duty equipment can be hard, but moving it from point A to point B can be even harder. You have to make sure it gets there safely with no damage, and you have to get it there as quickly and efficiently as possible. As such, it can be strenuous and anxiety-inducing when you have to transport equipment. Luckily, there is a simple solution to all of this – trailers. You attach one to your car, put all the equipment on, and you’re on your way.
But as the equipment or items you have to move can vary, there are numerous types of trailers meant for specific purposes. Trailers can be meant for transporting cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers, industrial equipment and much more. That being, depending on your needs, you need to get a corresponding trailer. If you’re in the construction industry and you’re wondering which one to get, you’ve come to the right place. The focus of this article will be on the plant trailer. This trailer is perfect for moving bobcats, excavators, or many other types of construction machinery. There are two other types of machinery moving trailers – hydraulic and flat deck trailers. So what are the key differences between plant, hydraulic and flat deck trailers?
Features and Differences
If you’re looking into plant trailers and want to make sure you make the right choice, you need to look at what defines them and how they differ. There are many factors at play here, like design, load capacity, material, and extra features.
Design
What does design have to do with anything? Aside from the aesthetic value, which isn’t of importance to us, it determines the uses of a trailer and it’s the first noticeable difference between different models. Furthermore, the design can make your job less complicated. And it’s where a plant-type trailer differs the most.
The first difference is that hydraulic and flat deck trailers have floors, while plant trailers don’t. Plant trailers only have two panels on which you position the machine’s wheels, where you can also fasten it so that it’s stable and secure. Also, these trailers have two heavy-duty fold-down ramps so that you can easily roll any machinery on the panels.
Trailers that have floors come in various designs. Hydraulic trailers always come with high sides, which keep your transported material stable. As you use hydraulic trailers for transporting materials instead of machinery, they must be stable. On the other hand, flat decks don’t need to have high sides as you use them to transport pellets and equipment.
Material and Load Capacity
As the weather in Australia can be harsh, it’s important to make sure the trailer is made from durable materials. Fortunately, most plant trailers are made of galvanised steel. Galvanised steel is durable and looks great. Furthermore, these trailers are corrosion resistant and can bear the Australian conditions.
That said, the material can also determine how much load capacity the trailer can bear. The stronger the material is, the more it can handle. Another factor to look into for determining loading capacity is aggregate trailer mass or ATM for short. This characteristic is also a sign of how much it can hold. While all types of trailers come in various ranges, plant trailers are more versatile as they have more options. For instance, you can get one that can carry 4500 kilograms, while others have a maximum carrying capacity of 3500 kilograms.
Extra Features
Finally, this is where the main differences lie between the three types of trailers, and how optimised they are to make your job easier. As previously mentioned, some plant trailers for sale have heavy-duty fold-down ramps. This piece guarantees that you’ll be able to safely and optimally load the machine without the ramps being damaged in any way. You also have the rocker roller suspension, which is one of the best systems to have. This is helpful, especially if you’re driving on a rocky road.
Benefits
Of course, it’s not just the many technical characteristics that make plant trailers great. They offer many benefits to you in all types of situations.
Preserving your Vehicle
This is something that I particularly relate to, as when I was growing up, I helped my dad move equipment every now and then. When we did this, we had to load it all in the car, which let me tell you, wasn’t pleasant. Even worse, my dad’s car got damaged. So in my opinion, the best benefit of a plant trailer is that it preserves your vehicle from any damage and ensures that it’ll last longer.
Efficiency and Time Saving
As with any work, we want it done quickly and in the most efficient, safe way. Instead of having to worry about the transportation of the machine, you’ll feel assured. You’ll know that the work is being done properly, with great care as trailers allow you to load machines securely and move them faster.
Motivation and Worker Safety
Two more benefits that strike me personally are motivation and worker safety. I remember how, when helping my dad, we all loathed the idea of moving heavy equipment. Even worse, we were all afraid that we could get hurt if we don’t do it properly. And this is where a plant-type trailer would have helped us the most due to its integrated safety features, such as a heavy-duty loading ramp.
