Freight & Rigging: How Equipment Pickup Works
How we arrange freight and rigging for surplus equipment: dock vs crane loading, permits for oversize loads, oil-filled transport rules, and timelines.
"How does a 40,000-pound transformer get from my pad to your buyer?" Easier than you think — because we arrange all of it. This guide explains what actually happens between accepted offer and cleared site, so you know what to expect and what (little) we need from you.
The core promise: our offers are net to you. Rigging, crane service, permits, and transport are our cost and our coordination. You provide site access and a signature.
How Equipment Moves
| Breakers & small lots | UPS/LTL on our prepaid labels — you palletize, we book |
|---|---|
| Panels & dry types | LTL or dedicated box truck with liftgate where needed |
| Padmounts & gear | Flatbed with truck-mounted crane or rollback |
| MCC lineups | Sectioned, palletized, shrink-wrapped, flatbed |
| Large transformers | Crane pick + lowboy/RGN; permits and escorts as required |
| Oil-filled units | Licensed carriers; oil handling per DOT/EPA rules |
The timeline from offer to empty pad
Standard lots: pickup within 3-7 business days of acceptance. Crane jobs: 1-2 weeks to coordinate crane, carrier, and site window. Oversize power transformers: 2-4 weeks including state permits and route surveys. Turnaround and demolition deadlines get priority scheduling — tell us your drop-dead date and we plan backward from it.
What we need from your site
Truck access to within reach of the equipment, any site-specific safety orientation requirements in advance, and a contact who can sign the BOL. For crane picks we'll ask about overhead lines and surface conditions. That's the whole list — everything else is our problem, by design.
Ready to sell? Get your offer today.
Send photos and nameplate details — we respond with a firm offer, typically within 24 hours. Freight and rigging arranged nationwide, payment before pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who pays for freight and rigging?
- We do — every offer is net to you. There are no deductions at pickup for transport costs we quoted into the deal.
- What if my equipment is on an upper floor or basement?
- Tell us upfront. Our riggers handle elevator moves, stair crawlers, and window extractions — it just needs to be in the plan.
- Are you insured for pickups at industrial sites?
- Yes. COIs at your required limits, naming your entity, are issued before crews arrive.
Authoritative References
- FMCSA — Oversize/overweight load regulations — the federal carrier rules behind the permits and escorts required for large transformer moves.
- OSHA — Cranes and rigging in construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) — the crane and rigging safety standards our riggers operate under on every pick.
- PHMSA/DOT — Hazardous materials transport rules — the transport regulations governing oil-filled equipment and oil handling in transit.