Farm machines are built for fields, not for highways. They are wide, they have parts that stick out, and they often sit down a dirt road behind a gate. Hauling them takes a plan for the machine and a plan for the ground.
We work out of Frostproof, in the middle of Polk and Hardee County farm country. This post covers what we ask about and what helps when you call.
Tractors on the deck: what we look at first
A tractor looks simple, but the details change the haul. Duals, wide tires, a front loader, or a cab with a roof beacon all change the width and the height.
We ask for the make and model, the weight, and what is attached. A tractor with a loader on the front is a different load from the same tractor bare.
Tractors also come with weights on the front and rear. Tell us if they stay on, since they add pounds and change how the load sits on the deck.
Our farm equipment transport page covers the machines we move for growers and ranchers.
Harvesters and tall, heavy self-propelled machines
Harvesters and similar machines run tall and heavy. Height is often the problem, since a tall machine on a deck can push the load toward 13 feet 6 inches.
That is where a low deck helps. Dispatch picks between the RGN and the lowboy from the machine details. We haul up to 82,000 pounds, and if a machine is over that, we say so on the first call.
Remove or fold the pieces that can come off, such as spouts, mirrors, and platforms. Ask the operator what can be taken off safely.
Send a photo of the machine from the side and from the front. It lets dispatch judge the height and the width before we pick the deck.
Wide implements, wings, and permits
Wide implements are where a permit is most likely. Florida needs one over 8 feet 6 inches wide, and width over 12 feet is the usual point where an escort is added.
Many implements fold. Fold the wings and secure them before we arrive. If the machine cannot fold, tell us the full width. We check the current FDOT permit rules for the route and plan an escort when the width requires it.
Wings, hitches, and booms that stick out past the deck count toward the width. Measure at the widest point, not at the body of the machine, and tell us if anything hangs over the edge of the trailer.
Grove roads, pastures, and soft ground in Polk and Hardee County
A lot of farm pickups are not on pavement. Sand, a wet pasture, and a narrow grove road can hold a loaded trailer back, and a gate that is too tight stops a truck at the entrance.
- Tell us about the ground and how firm it is after rain
- Say how wide the gate is and who has the code
- Describe the road in, including branches and wires
- Name a spotter if the lot is crowded
If the field is too soft, we can talk about meeting the machine at firmer ground. We cover Polk County and Hardee County from the Frostproof yard.
Moving machines between farms, dealers, and repair shops
Not every farm haul goes from one field to another. Machines also go to dealers for service, to auctions, and to repair shops, and they come back. A machine that cannot be driven on the road needs a truck.
We run from Frostproof, so many of these trips stay inside the region. A dealer yard usually has a hard pad and room to load, which makes the job simpler. A farm gate may not.
Give dispatch both addresses and tell us whether each end has a ramp, a dock, or just open ground. We plan the loading around that.
Booking a farm haul before the season starts
Farm work runs on a calendar. A machine needs to be at the field when the work starts, and it needs to be back when the work ends.
Call early if the date matters, and tell us what is firm and what is flexible. Dispatch answers 24 hours at 863-632-7302. A machine that has to be at the field by a certain day needs more lead time than one that can wait for a gap in the schedule.
Our post on how to prepare equipment for transport lists what to send, and you can request a quote online with the machine and both addresses.
Common questions about this
Do you haul wide implements?
Yes. Florida needs a permit over 8 feet 6 inches wide, and we check the current FDOT permit rules for the route.
Can you pick up from a grove or a pasture?
We can plan for it. Tell us about the gate, the ground, and the road in, since sand and soft spots can hold a trailer back.
How heavy a machine can you haul?
We haul up to 82,000 pounds. If a harvester or other piece is heavier, we tell you on the first call.
Related reading
Trailer Guide
Lowboy vs RGN: Which Trailer Does Your Machine Need?
Lowboy or RGN? See how the two drop-deck trailers differ on loading, height, and weight, and how dispatch picks one for your machine.
Prep Guide
How to Prepare Heavy Equipment for Transport
A short checklist for getting heavy equipment ready for a lowboy or RGN haul in Florida: measurements, attachments, site access, and permits.