Transporting heavy machinery requires precision, planning, and the right equipment. From construction diggers and forklifts to generators and industrial gear, every move comes with unique safety and compliance requirements. Knowing how to prepare your machinery before collection saves time, reduces risk, and ensures a smooth delivery.
OTS Group has been New Zealand’s trusted specialist in heavy machinery and equipment transport for more than 50 years. Here’s our practical checklist for preparing your machinery for safe, compliant transport across both islands.
1. Inspect and Document the Equipment
Before the truck arrives, perform a full visual inspection. Record the current condition of your machine and take clear photos of key areas — panels, attachments, hydraulics, and tyres or tracks. This documentation provides a reference in the unlikely event of damage during transit.
2. Secure or Remove Loose Attachments
Anything that can move or detach during transport should be secured or removed. This includes buckets, blades, arms, forks, and accessories. If detachable parts are removed, store them safely or ask your transporter to secure them separately on the truck.
Our Construction Equipment & Machinery Transport team uses purpose-built tie-down systems and heavy-duty restraints to keep attachments stable throughout the journey.
3. Clean the Machine Thoroughly
Excess mud, debris, or oil can make machinery slippery and unsafe to handle. Cleaning your machine before transport helps operators identify anchor points, inspect hydraulics, and prevents contaminants from spreading between regions — especially important for biosecurity compliance.
4. Check Fluid Levels and Battery Connections
Inspect hydraulic lines, fuel caps, and battery terminals for leaks or damage. Ensure that fuel tanks are no more than a quarter full to reduce weight and fire risk. For long-distance hauls, disconnect batteries if recommended by the manufacturer.
5. Prepare for Loading and Access
Make sure the pickup location is accessible for large transport vehicles — ideally with flat, stable ground. Remove obstacles such as pallets, fences, or parked cars that may restrict manoeuvring space.
Our operators may use hydraulic tilt-trays, low-loaders, or tracked transporters depending on machine size and weight. Learn more about our Tracked Machine Transport fleet built specifically for heavy industrial moves.
6. Confirm Weight, Dimensions, and Permits
Oversized machinery (over 2.5 m wide or 20 t) may require a special permit or route approval under NZTA regulations. Providing accurate weight and dimensions in advance ensures your transporter can plan safely and avoid delays at checkpoints or bridges.
OTS Group’s logistics team handles permits and compliance documentation as part of our Generator & Industrial Equipment Transport and Forklift & Scissor Lift Transport services.
7. Communicate Site Conditions Clearly
Let your transporter know about access constraints — narrow driveways, soft ground, steep gradients, or construction site hours. Clear communication helps our operators plan the correct vehicle and ensure safe loading conditions on arrival.
Summary — Safe Machinery Transport Starts with Preparation
Taking time to prepare your equipment properly makes every transport job safer and faster. By cleaning, inspecting, and securing your machinery in advance, you reduce the chance of damage and downtime on site.
OTS Group provides fully insured, nationwide transport for construction, industrial, and agricultural machinery. With depots in Auckland and Christchurch, we move everything from forklifts to large excavators anywhere in New Zealand.
Call 0800 22 00 33 or Request a Quote to discuss your next machinery move.