Shipping motors and switchgear on an open deck.

Electrical and industrial equipment is often heavy, top-heavy, expensive and sensitive to moisture, all at once. A switchgear lineup or a large motor can be ruined by a tip, a leak in a tarp or a strap in the wrong place. Most of that risk is decided before the truck arrives: by how the piece is packaged, marked and described.

This guide covers what manufacturers and suppliers should prepare when shipping motors, switchgear, transformers and control panels on a hotshot or flatbed. Your equipment manufacturer's shipping and handling instructions always come first.

Crating and skids

Most electrical equipment ships on a skid or in a crate built for it. A good skid:

• Is rated for the weight of the piece, with runners that allow forklift entry from the sides that will be accessible at both ends
• Bolts or fastens the equipment to the base, so the piece and the skid move as one unit
• Gives straps and chains something solid to secure against, without bearing on the equipment's housing

Crates add protection for panels with exposed doors, gauges, bushings or instruments. If the equipment ships unboxed, cover vulnerable components and remove or secure anything that could vibrate loose.

Mark the center of gravity

Switchgear, transformers and tall panels are often top-heavy, and their weight is rarely centered. Mark the center of gravity on at least two sides of the crate or skid. That tells the loader where to place forks or rigging, and helps position the piece on the deck so axle weights stay legal and the load rides balanced. Mark lifting points and "do not lift here" areas too.

Tilt and shock indicators

If the equipment must stay upright, attach a tilt indicator. For sensitive gear, a shock indicator adds a record of hard impacts. Neither prevents damage, but both make handling visible and remind everyone along the way that the piece is sensitive. Note on the bill of lading that indicators are attached, and ask the receiver to check them before signing.

Weatherproofing and tarps

On an open deck, weather is the main risk. Rain, road spray, dust and road salt can all get into electrical enclosures. Practical steps:

• Shrink-wrap or bag the equipment under the tarp, with desiccant inside if the manufacturer recommends it
• Seal openings, conduit entries and vents as the manufacturer instructs
• Request tarps on the quote, and say whether a smooth-sided tarp or extra edge protection is needed
• Pad sharp crate corners so tarps aren't torn on the road

If the manufacturer requires enclosed transport, say so up front. That changes the equipment choice.

Securement points

Straps and chains need somewhere safe to go. Identify the designated tie-down points on the skid or crate, and note any surface that must not be strapped across, such as doors, panels, bushings or radiator fins. Edge protectors keep straps from cutting into crates. Clear guidance here lets the driver secure the load properly the first time, instead of improvising at your dock.

Written handling instructions

Put the handling requirements in writing and attach them to the piece and the paperwork. Include:

• Must remain upright; maximum tilt if specified
• Lifting points and approved lifting method (forks, spreader bar, crane)
• Do not stack; do not double-deck
• Surfaces not to be strapped across
• Any storage or exposure limits from the manufacturer

Receiver unloading equipment

Open-deck freight is generally unloaded by the receiver. Confirm before shipping that the receiver has a forklift, crane or rigging crew rated for the weight, with enough reach to pull the piece from the side of the deck. A forklift that can lift 10,000 lbs at a short load center may not handle the same weight on long forks. If a crane is coming in for the delivery, its schedule and the truck's arrival need to line up.

Jobsite access and delivery windows

Construction sites, substations and plants often have restrictions a warehouse doesn't. Tell us about:

• Gate hours, check-in procedures and site safety requirements
• Road and ground conditions: paved, gravel, mud, grade, turning space for the truck
• Overhead lines or low clearances near the unloading area
• The delivery window and the name and phone number of the on-site contact

Documents to send

The fastest way to an accurate quote is to send the shipping drawing. It usually shows dimensions, weights, the center of gravity and lifting points in one place. Along with it, send the total weight per piece (crated), the packing list, the manufacturer's handling instructions and the declared value.

Example: complete vs. incomplete request

This is a fictional example for illustration only.

The complete version can be quoted accurately on the first pass, with the right trailer, tarps and delivery plan. The incomplete one leads to a round of questions, or a quote built on assumptions that may not hold.

Ready to move a piece? Start a quote, or see how we plan industrial and electrical freight.