Lowbed transport
The lowbed is the low-deck trailer that carries most heavy machinery: excavators, bulldozers, cranes or drilling rigs. The height gained compared with an ordinary flatbed keeps the transport below 4 m or close to that limit, and that often means fewer permits and less escort.
At a glance
- Used for
- tall machinery and equipment
- Variants
- semi-lowbed, lowbed, gondola
- Loading
- via ramps, with a winch or by crane
- Coverage
- Romania and Europe
Lowbed, semi-lowbed or gondola
A semi-lowbed has a low deck on one section only and suits machines of medium height. A lowbed lowers the deck between the gooseneck and the axles, for tall machines. The gondola, or well-deck lowbed, lowers the load between the beams, close to the road, for equipment where every centimetre counts.
See the full comparison, with capacities and uses, on the page about trailer types.
Lowbed: a low deck for tall machines.
Which machines travel on a lowbed
- tracked and wheeled excavators;
- bulldozers, graders and compactors;
- mobile and crawler cranes;
- drilling and foundation rigs;
- large loaders and backhoe loaders;
- tall industrial equipment.
Loading onto a lowbed
Machines that run drive up the ramps themselves, with an operator. Machines that do not start are loaded with the winch or by crane. After loading, the machine is lashed with chains and tensioners at the lashing points specified by the manufacturer, in line with standard EN 12195-1.
Lowbed with or without a permit? If the combination stays within 2.55 m width, 4 m height and 40 t, the transport does not need an AST. Many excavators over 20 t, however, exceed 2.55 m because of the width of their tracks. Check the dimensions in the size checker on the home page.
Lowbed hire?
We do not hire out trailers without a driver. We organise the complete transport: a lowbed with tractor unit and driver from our network, permits, escort and CMR insurance, so that you do not have to worry about any detail on the road.
- 3- and 4-axle lowbeds;
- semi-lowbeds and gondolas;
- transport in Romania and in Europe;
- a fast quote, based on the machine's dimensions.
From our transports
Frequently asked questions
How much does lowbed transport cost?
It depends on the distance, the dimensions and weight of the machine and the permits needed. A machine that stays within the legal limits costs much less than one that requires an AST and an escort. See what affects the price or request a quote.
How high is the deck of a lowbed?
It depends on the model. The deck of a lowbed is much lower than that of an ordinary flatbed, and on a gondola it goes even lower. In the quote we tell you the estimated overall height with the proposed trailer.
Can I transport two machines on the same lowbed?
If the combination stays within the legal limits, yes. If it exceeds them, an AST is granted only for indivisible loads, so as a rule each oversize machine travels on its own vehicle.
Read also
Have an oversize load?
Tell us what we are moving, from where and to where. We send you a tailored quote, for most requests in under 30 minutes during office hours.
- Phone+40 31 631 8931
- Emailcontact@transport-agabaritic.net
- Office hoursMonday–Friday, 09:00–17:30 (Romanian time)