What Makes an Excavator Different From Other Equipment
Most construction equipment sits low and stays within standard dimensions. An excavator does not. The cab sits high. The arm and bucket extend well above the deck when the machine is in its natural position. The tracks are wide. On larger machines, the counterweight extends behind the cab and adds to the overall length.
A compact mini excavator in the 1 to 3 ton range is a different story. It fits on a standard flatbed or Landoll trailer with no permit in most cases. A 20-ton excavator is a different load entirely. The dimensions, weight, and prep requirements change significantly as machine size increases.
Big Frog Transportation hauls excavators across Florida and the Southeast under USDOT 3395422, MC-1105738. The company dispatches from Ocala and Jacksonville with 9 CDL drivers on flatbed and Landoll trailers. Call (352) 632-2041.
The Three Problems That Make Excavator Transport Complicated
Height
Florida DOT sets the legal height limit at 13 feet 6 inches from the ground to the top of the load. A large excavator sitting on a standard flatbed deck with the arm raised can push 15 to 17 feet. The arm must fold down and rest on the deck before the truck moves. Even with the arm folded, tall cabs on large excavators can run close to or over the legal limit depending on the trailer deck height.
A lowboy or RGN trailer sits lower to the ground than a standard flatbed. That lower deck height gives more room for the equipment above it. For very tall excavators, a lowboy is often the right call specifically because it brings the overall load height down within legal range.
Width
Excavator tracks set the width of the load. Most full-size excavators run between 8 and 10 feet wide at the tracks. Florida's legal width limit without a permit is 8 feet 6 inches. Any excavator with tracks wider than 8 feet 6 inches needs an FDOT oversize permit before it moves on a public road.
Track width can sometimes be reduced by adjusting the track frame on machines with adjustable undercarriages. Not all excavators have this feature. Big Frog Transportation confirms track width before dispatch to determine permit requirements.
Weight
A compact excavator weighs 3,000 to 20,000 pounds. A mid-size machine runs 20,000 to 45,000 pounds. A large excavator in the 50-ton class weighs 100,000 pounds or more. Florida's legal gross vehicle weight limit is 80,000 pounds. Any load that puts the truck and trailer combination over 80,000 pounds requires an overweight permit in addition to any oversize permit.
The trailer weight counts toward the total. A flatbed trailer weighs roughly 12,000 to 15,000 pounds. A lowboy weighs more. Add the tractor weight and the equipment weight together to determine the gross vehicle weight before assuming the load is within legal limits.
Which Trailer Is Right for an Excavator
The right trailer depends on the size of the machine. The table below covers the three most common options and when each applies.
| Trailer Type | Best Excavator Size | Loading Method | Permit Likely Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landoll | Mini and compact excavators under 20,000 lbs | Drives on under own power. Deck tilts to ground. | Sometimes. Depends on track width. |
| Flatbed | Compact excavators within legal dimensions | Crane or winch required for non-self-loading machines | Often. Width and height are common triggers. |
| Lowboy / RGN | Full-size and large excavators over 20 tons | Detachable neck. Machine drives over the gooseneck. | Almost always. Size and weight both trigger permits. |
Big Frog Transportation runs flatbed and Landoll trailers. For excavators that require a lowboy, the company can confirm trailer requirements and refer to the right carrier for that trailer type. Call (352) 632-2041 to discuss your specific machine.
How to Prep an Excavator for Transport
Proper prep before the truck arrives reduces loading time and avoids violations at weigh stations. These steps apply to most excavator hauls.
Fold the arm and bucket to their lowest position. The arm should rest as flat as possible on the deck or folded back toward the cab. The bucket should point down. This reduces the overall height of the load.
Retract the tracks to their narrowest setting if the machine allows it. Adjustable undercarriage excavators can reduce track width by several inches. That reduction can bring the load under the 8 foot 6 inch permit threshold in some cases.
Remove attachments that add width or height when possible. Hydraulic thumbs, buckets, and other attachments may add to the load dimensions. Removing them before transport and shipping them separately can simplify the haul.
Check for fluid leaks before loading. A machine leaking hydraulic fluid or fuel creates a hazard on the trailer and may result in a citation at a weigh station. Leaks should be addressed before the machine gets on the trailer.
Have an operator on site for Landoll and self-loading hauls. The machine must be driven onto the trailer. If no operator is available, the hauler cannot load it without additional equipment.
Securement note: Big Frog Transportation secures excavators using DOT-approved chains and binders rated for the equipment weight. Tracked equipment is chained at the front and rear of each track. The arm is pinned or supported to prevent movement during transport.
Florida Permit Requirements for Excavator Transport
Most full-size excavator hauls in Florida require at least one FDOT permit. The permit type depends on which dimension exceeds the legal limit.
Loads wider than 12 feet require a pilot car escort. Loads wider than 14 feet require pilot cars front and rear at the same time. Big Frog Transportation files single-trip FDOT permits and arranges pilot car escorts for all hauls that require them.
For a full breakdown of Florida permit thresholds, travel time restrictions, and pilot car rules, see the Florida DOT oversize permit guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a standard flatbed haul a large excavator?
A standard flatbed can haul a large excavator in some cases, but the load will almost certainly require an oversize permit for width or height. For very large machines, a lowboy is often the better trailer because the lower deck height keeps the overall load height within legal limits. Big Frog Transportation runs flatbed and Landoll trailers and can confirm the right trailer for your specific machine.
How much does it cost to haul an excavator in Florida?
Short hauls under 100 miles typically run $500 to $1,200 flat for compact machines. Larger excavators on permitted oversize hauls run $5.00 to $8.00 per mile. A pilot car escort adds $1.50 to $2.50 per mile per car when required. Call (352) 632-2041 with your machine size and route for a flat quote.
Does the excavator arm need to be removed for transport?
The arm does not need to be removed in most cases. It needs to fold down and rest as low as possible on the deck. The bucket should point down. This reduces the overall load height. On very large machines where the folded arm still pushes the load over the legal height limit, a lowboy trailer with a lower deck height is the right solution.
What size excavator requires an oversize permit in Florida?
Any excavator with tracks wider than 8 feet 6 inches requires an FDOT oversize permit. Most full-size excavators in the 10-ton class and above exceed this threshold at the tracks. Mini excavators in the 1 to 5 ton range often fall within legal dimensions depending on the specific model. Big Frog Transportation measures the loaded truck before filing the permit to confirm exact dimensions.