Heavy Haulage in Birmingham

Road Haulage Birmingham offers Heavy Haulage solutions to those in Birmingham and around the surrounding areas.

• Versatile
• Precise
• Dependable

Heavy Haulage in Birmingham

The West Midlands sits at the middle of the UK motorway network, which makes Birmingham a natural starting point for heavy loads going in every direction. We provide heavy haulage in Birmingham for loads that are too heavy for a standard 44 tonne lorry: large press frames and castings, fabricated steel, transformers and switchgear, heavy construction plant and industrial vessels. We plan the vehicle, the route and the paperwork, and we move the load when the rules allow it to move.

Heavy haulage is closely regulated. Every vehicle must run under a goods vehicle operator licence, and loads above normal weight limits travel under the Special Types rules, with advance notice to the police, highway authorities and bridge owners along the way. Our job is to get that right so the load arrives without delays, fines or damage.

When does a load need heavy haulage?

A standard articulated lorry and its load can weigh up to 44 tonnes. Above that, or where the weight on any single axle is above normal limits, the movement becomes a Special Types movement. These fall into three weight categories, up to 50, 80 and 150 tonnes, each with its own vehicle rules and notice periods. Loads beyond 150 tonnes need a special order. We work out which category your load falls into as soon as we have its weight and the vehicle we would use.

Heavy loads we move around Birmingham

• Press frames, castings and heavy machine tool beds
• Fabricated steelwork and bridge sections
• Transformers, switchgear and generator sets for energy projects
• Heavy tracked plant and cranes
• Tanks, vessels and process equipment
• Precast concrete units for civil engineering schemes

Planning a heavy movement

Planning starts with three numbers: the load's weight, its dimensions and the position of its centre of gravity. From those we choose a trailer with enough axles to keep each axle within its allowed weight, and then check the route. Birmingham's elevated roads, canal bridges and older railway bridges all have their own weight limits, and many routes that work for an ordinary lorry will not take a 70 tonne combination. Where a structure is marginal, we route around it or seek approval from its owner.

Timing matters too. Some heavy loads are not allowed on certain roads at peak times, and the police can ask for a movement to happen at night or with an escort. We agree the date and time with you once the route and notices are confirmed, and we keep you updated if the authorities ask for changes.

Loading and unloading

The heavier the load, the more the lift at each end matters. Most loads in this weight range are lifted by a mobile crane, a gantry or the customer's own overhead crane, not by the lorry. We agree with you who is lifting, when the crane will be on site and where the trailer needs to stand, so the vehicle arrives as the crane is ready rather than waiting on the street. Tell us about restricted working hours, weight limits on yard surfaces and anything overhead.

Size as well as weight

Many heavy loads are also wide or tall. If your load is over 2.9 metres wide or very long, the movement also needs to meet the abnormal load rules on dimensions. Our abnormal load transport in Birmingham covers that side. Tall loads often travel on a low loader with one of our drivers to keep them under bridges. Machines that are heavy but still within normal limits go through our plant machinery transport in Birmingham instead.

Areas covered

We handle heavy haulage from Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Walsall, Dudley, Solihull, Tamworth, Redditch and Telford, and to and from sites anywhere in Great Britain.

Why choose us for heavy haulage

• Category worked out from your load's weight before we quote
• Trailer and axle count chosen to keep within axle limits
• Routes checked against West Midlands bridge and structure limits
• Notices sent to police, highway authorities and bridge owners on time
• Escorts and night moves arranged when the authorities require them

Frequently asked questions

How much notice is needed for a heavy load?

Loads in the lightest Special Types category need two clear working days' notice. Loads in the heaviest category need five clear working days for highway and bridge authorities. Special orders take weeks rather than days.

Do you need the exact weight?

Yes. Notices and axle calculations depend on it. A figure from the manufacturer, a drawing or a weighbridge ticket is best. An estimate that turns out too low can stop a movement at the roadside.

Can heavy loads move during the day?

Often, but not always. Some roads and some loads are restricted to off-peak or night-time hours. We confirm the permitted times when the route is approved.

Can you lift the load on and off?

Very heavy items usually need a mobile crane or the customer's own lifting equipment at each end. Tell us what lifting is available and we will plan the transport around it.

What does a heavy haulage quote include?

Our quote covers the vehicle, the driver, route planning and the notices. Escorts, police supervision and out-of-hours working are included where the movement needs them, and we tell you if they apply before you book.

Get a heavy haulage quote in Birmingham

Give us the load's weight and dimensions, both addresses and the date you are working to. We will confirm the category, the notice period and the price. Phone us or send the details through our contact form.