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Most people imagine container transport simply requires putting the container on a truck. On the contrary, the equipment used plays a major role in the move’s success, including container pickup and delivery. Getting it wrong can mean;
Having specialized equipment helps you avoid such complications. However, cranes, Landoll, and side loaders are not always available to all carriers. Some specialize in;
In such cases, the carrier subcontracts the work or arranges for additional equipment. Note that selecting the right equipment is not necessarily a matter of personal preference but also of site conditions. Key evaluations include;
For instance, warehouses with loading equipment need standard chassis, while residential properties mainly require tilt-bed trucks due to space constraints. Note that the container hauler may need photos and measurements to assess access and terrain.
A side loader or side lifter is a specialized trailer or truck with hydraulic lifting arms that can load, move and unload a shipping container without needing a separate crane or forklift. Its arms attach to the container, lift it vertically, and place it on the chassis or the ground. It ranks among the most versatile options for shipping container transport.
A side loader is the best choice within;
It’s a cost-effective option for customers needing a single vehicle for transport and placement.
Side lifters require specific conditions that may limit their utility depending on the location and requirements. That is;
Commercial side loaders mainly handle
However, some also handle high cube containers and loaded containers. The latter is dependent on the loaders’ lifting configuration and capacity.
A Landoll trailer is specialized equipment with a hydraulic tilting and sliding deck that allows heavy cargo and shipping containers to be loaded and unloaded from ground level. Its deck slides backward and tilts, unlike flatbeds or standard chassis, to achieve a shallow loading angle and enable easy handling of difficult-to-load equipment.
Landoll trailers are best for;
Despite their versatility, Landoll trailers do not suit all sites as they require;
A Landoll trailer presents multiple advantages beyond ease of loading and unloading. Its stable design and low deck height;
A Landoll trailer is designed to handle different challenges than tilt-bed trucks and standard chassis. Choosing either of the above requires understanding how the shipping container will be loaded and unloaded, its weight, the distance it covers, and the available space at pickup and drop-off.
Cranes are preferable when a shipping container cannot be handled safely using standard trucking equipment. They provide precision, making them best when containers need;
Yes, cranes require a separate team of professionals. They include;
Using cranes over self-loading equipment such as side loaders and Landoll trailers is often more costly. However, in some cases, it’s the only option. The additional cost of using cranes is a result of;
In addition to the total cost, coordinating the crew, crane, and truck personnel can be cumbersome because they must arrive within a specified window.
Before committing to a crane for loading, transporting, and unloading a shipping container, consider the following factors;
Cranes, though costly at times, can be the safest and most secure way of moving a shipping container. Container Transport helps you thoroughly assess the site before determining whether a crane is necessary.
Feature | Side Loader | Landoll Trailer | Crane |
Relative Cost | Moderate | Moderate – High | High |
Site Prep Needed | Needs flat and stable ground plus side clearance | Needs room behind the trailer for the sliding deck and tilting | Needs firm and level ground for outriggers and overhead clearance |
Container Size limits | Handles 20- and 40-feet standard containers | Handles 20- and 40-foot containers whether loaded or empty | Handles all container sizes depending on the crane’s capacity |
Speed of delivery | Fast delivery done by driver only | Takes moderate duration | Slower delivery as it requires a crew |
Before settling on an individual service provider, it’s important to ask the right questions to gain insight into their experience. Some of the most important queries should be set around;
Container Transport is a trusted shipping container moving company across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. We have experience handling various container types and loads with specialized, well-maintained equipment. Our team is built by professionals who effortlessly match our resources to the client’s exact needs for safety and timeliness. We evaluate your site and recommend cost-effective and dependable solutions. Reach us for a direct quote.
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