A low loader is a trailer attached to a prime mover used to haul equipment, machinery, or materials long distances. It is a heavy haulage attachment that helps the commercial, civil, and mining industries move throughout the country. These large machines provide essential haulage services to keep projects moving and safely and securely transport heavy items across long distances.

Low loader hire rates aren’t a set-in-stone cost; there are elements of hauling that can increase prices dramatically. Often suppliers may only be able to haul particular cargo that does not exceed a particular width, come under a particular category of machinery, and so on. So, how do you find the best low loader hire cost to suit your haulage needs?

Discover rates for a wide range of machinery and equipment in our comprehensive machine hire rates guide.

When is low loader hire needed for haulage?

Low loaders are used across multiple industries, and their purpose varies based on specific transport requirements. They are flatbed trailers with a deck that sits around 1 metre off the ground. This low height allows for easy loading and unloading from the prime mover and easy access to secure a load. They are long trailers that can suit irregular-sized items like large pipes, heavy equipment, and other possibly obscure materials.

The industries that low loader hire may be used in include:

• Marine transportation
• Heavy machinery for commercial and infrastructural construction (excavators, backhoes, etc.)
• Large mining equipment and machinery
• Portable building transportation
• Emergency haulage (express transportation of machinery or equipment)

What are typical low loader hire rates?

• Regular low loader or machine float (with driver): $165+GST per hour*
• Large or oversized low loader of machine float (with driver): $215+GST per hour*

*These prices vary depending on the state, supplier, and other factors. These two costs act as a range.

Low loaders are principally used for transporting heavy machinery to and from a site. Low loaders come in a diverse range of configurations, with carrying capacities from 5 tonnes to 50 tonnes. There are also widening variants (for dozers and scrapers), extendable variants (for machines like graders that are long and skinny), there are ‘tilt-and-slides’, goosenecks, and drop decks.

There are many low-loaders available, and the trailer required is specific to the machine, its weight, size, and shape. Most plant hire companies have their favourite suppliers, so they organise the float of their machines (at their expense) using specialist trucks that are specifically suitable to their gear. They also tend to standardise their float costs so it’s a standard price within a certain distance from their depot and is a flat fee.

4 Factors that affect low loader hire costs

1. Low loader weight limits

Every low loader and prime mover has different weight requirements that can affect the low loader hire cost. While most low loaders can carry heavy loads from 5 tonnes to 50 tonnes, exceeding weight limits may increase costs due to supplier restrictions.

2. Oversized loads

If the machinery or equipment qualifies as wide loads and extends beyond the width of the low loader tray, extenders must be added to ensure safe transport. Having these extenders put on can increase the price, but this varies from supplier to supplier and their specifications for haulage.

3. Low loader dry hire

For most suppliers, their low loaders will be offered with a wet hire option, so an experienced operator to haul your cargo for you. If you require low loader dry hire, the cost may increase with respect to insurance policies from the supplier. There may also be requirements surrounding heavy rigid licencing and any other competency checks that may need to be requested by the supplier.

4. Emergency transportation

Many low loader suppliers offer emergency haulage services if you’re in need of a piece of machinery or other equipment last minute, they can get it to you express. However, this may increase the price of their services. As it is last minute and most often a fast-tracked process, added costs may be included because of the urgency of the service required.

How to find the best supplier and the best low loader hire cost

Choosing a supplier with a well-maintained fleet is essential for reliable low loader hire. This ensures safe and efficient transport while reducing the risk of delays and equipment failures. Calling and searching on the internet across multiple pages can be a pain and extremely time-consuming. iseekplant takes the hassle out of searching, listing all the possible low loader suppliers near you in one place for you to select from.

As Australia’s largest online construction marketplace, we connect you with suppliers that offer an extensive fleet of low loaders for various haulage needs, with thousands of suppliers accepting jobs. If you’re looking for more expert advice, email projects@iseekplant.com.au and get the best recommendation, or head to our marketplace if you’re in need of other services like prime mover hire and more.