Backhoe Transport From Pickup to Jobsite
Dobie coordinates backhoe transportation for contractors, equipment owners, dealers and auction buyers across the United States.
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We got your request. To deliver your real quote — legalization included — customs law requires us to validate the VIN and title. Send us a photo of both on WhatsApp and your quote goes out today.
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SEND VIN PHOTO NOW VIN ✗ · TITLE ✓The VIN is at the bottom corner of the windshield (driver side) or on the door-frame sticker. Send a photo of the VIN and the title on WhatsApp and your full quote — legalization included — goes out today.
SEND PHOTOS ON WHATSAPP VIN ✗ · TITLE ✗To quote with legalization included, customs requires both: the VIN (windshield or driver-side door sticker) and the title (your ownership document). Send a photo of each and we quote the same day.
SEND PHOTOS ON WHATSAPP NO VEHICLE YET · NURTURINGYou don't have the vehicle yet — that's the best time to plan. We'll send you typical costs for your route, the customs document checklist (VIN + title) and auction buying tips. Once you have it, your quote goes out the same day.
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How Is a Backhoe Transported?
Backhoe loaders (a CAT 420 or JD 310 class, ~15,000–25,000 lbs) drive onto step decks, lowboys or RGNs under their own power, with the loader bucket lowered and the hoe boom curled and pinned for transport height. Most stay within legal width, so permits are rare — height is the number to watch.
Backhoe Moves We Coordinate
- Contractors moving between jobsites
- Equipment owners buying and selling
- Dealer and auction pickups
- Municipal and utility fleet moves
- Ranch and rural property deliveries
How It Works
Tell Us About the Machine
Make, model, weight and dimensions. If you have a spec sheet or photos, even better.
We Plan Trailer & Permits
Our team matches the trailer — RGN, lowboy, step deck or flatbed — and coordinates any oversize permits the route requires.
Loading & Transport
The carrier loads, secures and hauls the equipment. Drive-on machines use ramps; inoperable units are winched or lifted.
Jobsite Delivery
The equipment is delivered to the yard, dealer or jobsite, offloaded and confirmed complete.
Height Is the Backhoe’s Gotcha
A backhoe’s transport height with the boom stowed typically runs 11–12′. On a step deck that total stays legal; on a standard flatbed it can push past 13′6″. That single check — machine height plus deck height — is why backhoes get assigned to the right trailer up front.
Cost Factors
Heavy equipment pricing is driven by the machine and the route. These are the factors our dispatch team checks before quoting:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Weight | Trailer requirement and axle configuration |
| Width & height | Oversize permit requirements |
| Distance | Line-haul cost |
| Loading capability | Whether ramps, a winch or a crane are needed |
| Route restrictions | Bridges, clearances and escort requirements |
How Long Does It Take?
Most equipment moves are matched with a carrier within a few days of booking — often faster on busy lanes. Transit time depends on distance, route and equipment: regional moves often deliver in 1–3 days, while coast-to-coast shipments average 7–10 days. Your logistics specialist confirms a realistic pickup window when you book and keeps you updated through delivery.
Insurance & Safety
Every carrier in the Dobie network is vetted for active operating authority and insurance before a load is assigned. Your equipment is covered by the carrier's cargo insurance from pickup to delivery, and our dispatch team verifies the certificate of insurance before every dispatch — not once a year.
Where We Coordinate It
Dobie coordinates heavy equipment transport across all 50 states, with deep operating experience in Texas, the South Texas border region and cross-border routes into Mexico. Wherever the pickup and the delivery are, one team manages the entire move.
Shipments Like Yours
Frequently Asked Questions
What trailer does a backhoe need?
Usually a step deck or lowboy — the drop deck keeps total height legal with the boom stowed. Weight rarely forces an RGN, but taller cabs can.
Does a backhoe need oversize permits?
Usually not: standard backhoes run under 8′6″ wide. Extended-reach models and added attachments can change that — we check the spec before dispatch.
How is the boom secured?
Curled, pinned with the transport lock, and chained — plus chains at the front bucket and frame points. The driver verifies the swing lock before rolling.
Can you pick up from an auction yard?
Yes — backhoes are constant auction movers and our carriers know the release and loading process at the major houses.
Last reviewed: August 2026 · Reviewed by the Dobie Transport logistics team
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