Many freight companies specialise in hauling heavy equipment from place to place often interstate
, or from one side of Australia to the other. When transporting such things as graders and other heavy earthmoving equipment a low loader is required. Some low loaders are quite basic and will do the job, while others may have additional features such as hydraulic deck widening capabilities and suitable gooseneck dollies for the task.
Many freight services can provide low loader of various capacities from 30 to 60 tonne. However, when extra wide and heavy loads need transporting the low loaders may need to carry up to 100 tonnes. Extendable tilting and drop-deck trailers may be used for over-sized freight haulage such as buses or mining equipment.
The most popular size of low loader is around the 26 tonne mark with tri-axles. Many have suspension widening capabilities as well as deck widening as this provides a more stable platform for higher loads. Rear steering is optional and becoming more popular in Australia to give much better manoeuvrability and increased payload. A front deck may be included for extra carrying capacity, while the ramps are double-folding hydraulic.
Quad-axles low loaders will take haulage of 37-51 tonnes. They too, have features similar to the 26 tonne low loader.
There are also tandem axle low-loaders with an option for folding goosenecks for loads that need low approach angles. These are ideal for transporting houses.
Additionally, dog/tag trailers may be used for freight services. These can have either tri-axle or quad axles, and the mechanism for coupling includes ring feeder for dog trailers, the flying saucer, pintle hook or Bartlett ball for tag trailers. Hydraulic ramps on the back and also the front of the trailer may be necessary to enable the load to be transferred to the towing vehicle.