Getting a Backhoe Shipped

[TractorGuy]

I guess this is the right section for this topic.

I am looking into purchasing a used backhoe that is 155 miles away. I have no way to haul a 13000 lb machine so I will have to arrange to have it shipped. I figured going through uShip. They estimate $398. Anybody use them? Are their estimates accurate? Any special requirements I should ask for?

 

[schmism]

you can search for uship on the forums. I think the best advise ive seen given is making shure the person shipping has adequate enough equipment to do the job. From the talk it sounds as if there is a way to specify this like (min 15K lb GN deckover trailer) or some such.

Back when gas prices were twice as high as they are now my buddy was hauling for $4 a loaded mile so figure $3 today and that ballparks well with the estimate.

 

[smstonypoint]

You could try posting a "hauling wanted" ad over at Hauling Ads - Yesterday's Tractor Co..

Steve

 

[flusher]

I guess this is the right section for this topic.

I am looking into purchasing a used backhoe that is 155 miles away. I have no way to haul a 13000 lb machine so I will have to arrange to have it shipped. I figured going through uShip. They estimate $398. Anybody use them? Are their estimates accurate? Any special requirements I should ask for?

I've had several things shipped by uShip (IH Little Genius plow, JD 71 row planter). No problems with the shipper. $2.56 per mile is not too bad a price that you were quoted.

You can do better if you check around. I had a 1949 JD B tractor (about 4500 lb) shipped 400 miles for $1 per mile. Shipper was a retired couple with a Dodge Ram dually and a twin axle gooseneck trailer who specialize in shipping tractors up and down the West Coast. They were dead heading home from Seattle when I contacted them to pick up my load near Portland, OR. Worked out fine for both parties in the deal.

Good luck

 

[davesl708]

Have you looked at Freight Quote? They link truckers with shippers to fill full loads or back haul. Might not hurt to get a second quote.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Check with your local rental yard and see who they use to move their equipment.

 

[dfkrug]

Check with your local rental yard and see who they use to move their
equipment.

I will second that. I have used rental yard shippers several times for local shipping. Very reasonable.

You should also consider other local shippers for that short of a distance. Make sure they are insured
to cover your load!

If a pal has a suitable truck and trailer, think twice. The cargo may not be insured if he does not
own the load.

 

[Stimw]

It cost me $450.00 to have this container moved 60 miles back in May.
You might check with local Heavy Haulers to see if they could bring it on a back haul.

 

[roadhunter]

I've shipped a few things with u-ship. It's a legit operation. Thier estimates can be way off +/-. HAve an auction and check it often. Drivers sills end you messages and you need to be able to answer quickly.

 

[Copperhead]

Right now, average flat bed rates as of late last week was at around $1.92 a mile. Into Florida will be higher than out of Florida. Florida is a "user" state, and trucks haul a lot in and and go begging for freight out, so outbound rates are normally in the toilet. To make up for that, inbound rates are a little higher than average. The rate you were quoted is probably in the target range. The broker (uShip) is taking their cut, which is usually more than they deserve. I would just contact a local cartage outfit and have a hotshot setup move the backhoe to you. You would get better service and maybe be able to negotiate a little bit better rate. As a trucker myself, I generally despise brokers, but I know they are a necessary evil to get loads matched up with trucks.