Heavy Haul & Crane Transport: How Titan Worldwide Logistics Gets It Done
Moving a 90-ton crawler crane body across 8 states isn’t a standard freight job. Neither is coordinating port authority access for a 79,000 lbs oilfield rig or navigating California’s oversize regulations with a directional drill mounted on a Komatsu base machine.
These moves require more than capacity. They require planning, regulatory fluency, and accountability when the cargo is worth more than the trucks carrying it.
At Titan Worldwide Logistics, heavy-haul and crane transport isn’t a service we outsource or approximate.
Our logistics team handles this daily: planning routes around bridge ratings and overhead clearances, selecting the right trailer configurations for component weight distribution, and pulling permits across multiple jurisdictions.
We stay in direct communication from origin to final delivery and never hand off responsibility.
This page walks through how we handle complex crane and heavy equipment logistics, using real jobs we’ve executed. You’ll see the equipment we moved, the challenges we solved, and the methods we used to deliver high-value freight safely and on schedule.
Table of Contents
Featured Case Study: Crawler Crane Transport
Case Study: Moving Two 90-Ton Demag Crawler Cranes from Texas to Washington
The Equipment (What We Moved)
Crane Model: Demag CC 2500 lattice boom crawler crane
- Quantity: 2 complete units
- Lifting Capacity: 550-ton
- Max Boom Length: 275 feet
- Estimated Value: $3M for both cranes
- Heaviest Component: Carbody (approximately 180,000 lbs per unit)
The Client’s Challenge (Why They Called Titan)
A West Coast piling company needed both cranes moved from Corpus Christi, TX, to their job site near Seattle, WA. Handling a move of this scale in-house wasn’t cost-effective or operationally realistic.
They needed a logistics partner who could coordinate 52 separate truckloads, manage superload compliance across 8 states, and keep the project on schedule without compromising safety or equipment integrity.
Key Client Pain Points Addressed:
Lack of internal capacity for multi-load heavy haul coordination: Moving two complete crawler cranes meant managing different parts, including carbodies, crawlers, counterweights, boom sections, and hydraulic components, across dozens of shipments.
The client’s internal team lacked the resources required for coordination at that scale.
Regulatory complexity across state lines. Each state along the route had different superload thresholds, escort requirements, and permitting timelines.
High-value cargo requiring accountability and communication. With nearly $3 million in equipment on the move, the client needed real-time visibility and a single point of contact who understood both the technical requirements of crane disassembly and the regulatory environment.
Titan Worldwide Logistics' Approach (How We Handled It)
Quote-to-Execution Speed
From initial contact to project kickoff, it took us only one month. Our team conducted an on-site visit in Corpus Christi two weeks before the first load moved to assess crane disassembly status, staging area layout, and loading infrastructure.
We returned during active loading operations to maintain direct oversight and address any field-level adjustments in real time.
Equipment & Trailer Selection
We matched trailer type to component characteristics, prioritizing weight capacity, load stability, and permit classification across the route:
Crane Bodies (carbodies):
At 90-ton (180,000 lbs) each, these were the heaviest components of the entire move. Each carbody qualified as a superload in every state along the route and required a removable gooseneck (RGN) trailer to handle the concentrated weight.
Due to superload classification, each carbody traveled with two escort vehicles to maintain safe clearance and manage traffic interaction on interstate corridors and state highways.
Boom Sections, Jib Components, and Lattice Structures:
These components varied in length but fell within manageable weight ranges. We used standard flatbed trailers for shorter sections and step-deck configurations for longer assemblies that benefited from a lower deck height.
The step-deck option reduced overall transport height while keeping the freight secure and accessible for inspection during transit.
Superload Permitting & Route Planning
We pulled permits in all 8 states, accounting for:
- Superload designation thresholds (components exceeded 120,000 lbs in multiple states)
- Time-of-day travel restrictions (California and Washington imposed specific hours for oversized moves)
- Bridge and overpass clearance verification (coordinated with state DOT offices to confirm structural ratings)
- Mandatory escort requirements (some loads require front, rear, and police escorts depending on jurisdiction)
Route planning wasn’t drawn from mapping software alone. We contacted state authorities directly to verify temporary restrictions, construction zones, and seasonal weight limits.
Communication & Client Relations
The client received:
- Daily progress updates during the permit acquisition phase
- Pre-move confirmation before each pickup
- Real-time location updates during transit for high-value components
- Delivery confirmation with documentation for each load
Our project manager served as the single point of contact throughout the entire move, coordinating with multiple carriers, escort services, and state authorities on the client’s behalf.
Results
The project spanned 8 states and return routing variations. All components were delivered on schedule without incident, protecting $3 million in crane assets that were transported without incident.
Closing Thought
Crawler crane logistics isn’t about showing up with a truck. It’s about understanding disassembly sequences, superload classification, escort requirements, and the state-by-state permitting landscape.
It’s knowing that a 90-ton carbody requires different load securement and that route planning means verifying bridge ratings manually, not relying on automated tools.
This project is one example of how we approach complex heavy haul with planning, presence, and accountability at every stage.
Job Spotlight: Real Moves, Real Details
#1. Industrial AGG Batcher
Route: Tompkinsville, KY to Sun City, AZ
Industry: Industrial Manufacturing
Specifications:
- Freight: Complete aggregate batching system with integrated conveyor assembly and control housing
- Dimensions: 17 feet long, 11.3 feet wide, and 10.2 feet tall
- Weight: 35,000 lbs
- Trailer: A step deck trailer to maintain a lower deck height and ensure the load travels within height restrictions
Classifications: Oversized load in multiple states, requiring state-specific permits.
The Challenge:
The client needed the batching system moved intact to avoid field reassembly costs at the destination. The 11.3-foot width and 10.2-foot height meant the load exceeded standard limits in every state along the route.
Several states along the route, including Arizona, require oversize permits and restrict travel times for overwidth loads, which had to be factored into scheduling. The integrated conveyor assembly made the load top-heavy, requiring careful securement to prevent shifting during transit.
How We Handled It:
We coordinated permits across several states, accounting for varying overwidth thresholds and escort requirements. Our team scheduled the move to avoid state travel restrictions and coordinated with certified pilot car services in each jurisdiction.
The Step deck trailer kept the overall transport height under most bridge clearances, but we verified specific overhead constraints on the planned routing through manual DOT verification.
Result:
The batching system was delivered intact to Sun City, AZ, on time. The client avoided a hefty expense of in-field reassembly labor and equipment downtime.
#2. Caterpillar 330 Hydraulic Excavator
Route: Los Angeles, CA to Midland, TX
Industry: Construction
Specifications:
- Freight: Caterpillar 330 Hydraulic Excavator, operational condition
- Dimensions: 33 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 12 feet tall
- Weight: 60,000 lbs
- Trailer: RGN trailer with a 33-foot well
- Classifications: Oversize requiring multi-state permits and detailed route coordination
The Challenge:
The excavator needed to be transported to a project site in Midland, TX, in support of active construction operations. California’s oversize permitting process is among the most stringent in the country, sometimes requiring 5 to 7 business days for approval.
The client had a firm delivery window tied to a contracted drilling project start date. Missing the window meant penalties.
How We Handled It:
We initiated the California permit application more than a week before the planned move date to account for Caltrans processing times. The RGN trailer allowed the excavator to load at a height that cleared most overpasses, but we verified clearance on CA-60 and I-10.
We coordinated delivery timing with the client’s job site manager to ensure the excavator arrived as scheduled.
Result:
The excavator was delivered to Midland on time for the client’s project. California permit approval took 6 business days. The client met their contractual obligations without delay.
#3. Oilfield Service & Workover Rig
Route: Cashion, OK to Port of Freeport, TX
Industry: Oil & Gas
Specifications:
- Freight: Complete service and workover rig
- Dimensions: 41 feet long, 10.6 feet wide, and 12 feet high
- Weight: 79,000 lbs
- Trailer: An 8-axle RGN extendable trailer
- Classifications: Oversized requiring a state permit and strict adherence to DOT regulations
The Challenge:
The rig was being shipped long-distance and needed delivery to the Port of Freeport with precise timing to meet the vessel loading schedule. Port authority access for oversize loads requires advance notification, approved routing within port infrastructure, and coordination with port security and operations teams.
How We Handled It:
Our heavy haul team managed the entire process, starting with loading coordination in Cashion. The rig’s 79,000 lb weight required precise load distribution across the 8-axle RGN trailer to comply with bridge formula weight limits in various states.
We calculated axle spacing and load positioning to stay within legal limits for each axle group, documenting weight distribution before departure.
We coordinated permits across Oklahoma and Texas, accounting for varying overwidth thresholds and escort requirements. Our team ensured all route restrictions, bridge clearances, and state-specific requirements were met without issue.
Result:
The rig delivery was timely, allowing our client to meet their operational schedule and workflow.
#4. Directional Drill Mounted on Komatsu PC130LC-11 Base Machine
Route: Loomis, CA to Stockton, CA
Industry: Energy and Infrastructure
Specifications:
- Freight: Directional drilling attachment mounted on Komatsu PC130LC-11 excavator base with tracks
- Dimensions: 36.4 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and 11 feet tall
- Weight: 42,700 lbs
- Trailer: An RGN trailer with 29 feet in the well and an additional 6 feet on the rear deck
- Classifications: Oversize in California (exceeds 8’6″), requiring a Caltrans permit
The Challenge:
This was a short-haul move within California, but Caltrans regulations apply to any load exceeding 8’6″ in width, regardless of distance. The drilling attachment added width and height to the base machine, creating clearance concerns on several routes between Loomis and Stockton. The client needed same-week delivery to meet a utility infrastructure project timeline.
How We Handled It:
We applied for the California oversize permit and received approval. The RGN trailer allowed the machine to self-load using its own tracks, eliminating the need for additional loading equipment and reducing staging time at both origin and destination.
To ensure safety, we secured the load using DOT-compliant tie-down methods. We also maintained communication from pickup through delivery to ensure coordination at both locations.
Result:
The directional drill arrived on time, keeping the client’s infrastructure project on schedule.
What These Jobs Have In Common
Every move we handle follows the same core principles, whether it’s a 90-ton crawler crane or a directional drill moving about 75 miles within California.
Right Trailer for the Freight
We don’t assign trailers based on availability. We match trailer type, axle configuration, and deck capacity to the specific dimensions, weight distribution, and loading requirements of the freight.
An RGN trailer works for tracked equipment that can self-load. A multi-axle heavy haul configuration is required for concentrated weight over 100 tons.
A double-drop lowboy reduces transport height for loads with overhead clearance constraints. The trailer choice affects permitting classification, securement method, and route viability.
Permit Coordination Across Jurisdictions
State oversize and overweight regulations are not uniform. A load that requires only a standard permit in Texas may trigger superload status in California.
Escort requirements differ. Time-of-day restrictions vary. Weekend travel bans exist in some states for specific load types. We don’t rely on automated permitting tools alone.
We verify current restrictions and coordinate with permit services that maintain relationships with local authorities. This is especially critical for multi-state moves where one delayed permit can halt the entire shipment.
DOT-Compliant Securement
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations under 49 CFR Part 393 establish minimum requirements. However, proper securement depends on the freight’s center of gravity, weight distribution, and transportation mode.
Crawler crane counterweights require different tie-down configurations than those of excavators with extended booms. We use a combination of binders, straps, and blocking based on the specific load, and we document securement methods with photo records at the time of loading.
Route Planning with Real Constraints
Mapping software provides a starting point, but it doesn’t account for bridge weight ratings, seasonal road restrictions, or temporary construction closures. We conduct on-site visits to verify routes.
This is particularly important in states like California, where infrastructure age and urban density create routing challenges that aren’t reflected in standard GPS tools.
Communication from Pickup to Delivery
Our clients receive pickup confirmation, in-transit updates, and delivery notification with documentation. For high-value or time-sensitive moves, we provide real-time location sharing and direct contact with the driver or project manager.
Additional Heavy Haul & Planning Information
These examples represent a cross-section of the heavy haul and crane transport projects we document internally. Each move involved specific regulatory requirements, equipment considerations, and route planning variables that may be relevant to your own logistics planning.
If you’re currently planning a heavy haul move and want to discuss specific logistics variables, permitting timelines, trailer configurations, or route feasibility, our team is available to answer technical questions.
View our contact information or reach out through our inquiry form.