Bulldozer Transport Specialists
Bulldozers are among the most challenging pieces of heavy construction equipment to transport. Their wide blade assemblies, heavy track frames, and high ground clearance create oversize and overweight conditions on virtually every move. At R&RM LLC, we have been hauling dozers across all 48 continental states since 2011. Our RGN trailer fleet is purpose-built for drive-on dozer loading, and we handle every permit, escort, and routing requirement so you don't have to.
Whether you're moving a compact Cat D4 between construction sites or relocating a massive D11 mining dozer across multiple state lines, we have the experience to execute the move safely and on schedule. Call (404) 987-6225 or request a quote online to get started.
Caterpillar Bulldozer Hauling
Caterpillar is the benchmark brand in the bulldozer market, and we transport the full Cat D-series lineup — from compact utility dozers to the largest production machines Cat builds.
Cat D3 and D4 — Small Utility Dozers
The Cat D3 and D4 are compact machines weighing roughly 18,000–30,000 lbs with blade widths in the 10–12 ft range. Most moves stay legal-width on a standard lowboy or step-deck trailer with the blade removed. These machines are common in land-clearing, residential grading, and small site prep work, and they ship frequently between rental yards and job sites across the Southeast.
Cat D5, D6, and D7 — Mid-Range Dozers
The D5 through D7 series spans roughly 30,000–55,000 lbs operating weight. Blade widths on semi-U and full-U configurations can reach 14–16 ft, requiring oversize permits in most states. An RGN trailer is the preferred method — the detachable gooseneck allows the dozer to drive directly onto the trailer deck at ground level, eliminating the risk of damaging tracks on ramps. We advise removing rippers and wide-angle blades before loading to reduce height and width.
Cat D8 and D9 — Large Production Dozers
The Cat D8 weighs approximately 82,000 lbs and the D9 approximately 110,000 lbs, putting both firmly in overweight territory requiring superload or overweight permits depending on route. Blade widths regularly exceed 16–18 ft on full-U configurations. These machines power large earthmoving, mining, and landfill operations. Transporting a D8 or D9 requires careful axle spacing analysis to meet state bridge formula requirements, and pilot car escorts are mandatory in most states at these widths.
Cat D10 and D11 — Mining-Class Dozers
The Cat D11 is the largest production bulldozer Caterpillar manufactures, tipping the scales at over 230,000 lbs operating weight. Moving a D11 is a full project-cargo exercise: the blade, ripper assembly, and in some cases the push arms are removed for transport, turning a single-machine move into a multi-load project. Route surveys are required in advance. Multi-axle hydraulic platform trailers or specialized heavy-lift equipment may be needed in addition to an RGN for the main machine body. We coordinate all elements of these complex moves and handle permits in every state on the route.
Komatsu Bulldozer Hauling
Komatsu dozers are widely used in mining, coal, and large earthmoving operations. The D-series lineup spans a wide range of machine sizes.
Komatsu D37, D39, D51, and D61 — Small to Mid-Size
Komatsu's smaller production dozers in the D37–D61 class weigh between 20,000 and 45,000 lbs. These machines are popular in utility construction, pipeline work, and road building. Most transport on standard RGN or step-deck trailers, though blade width can still push into oversize territory on wide-blade configurations. We handle these regularly in states like Texas, Oklahoma, and the Midwest where pipeline and road grading contractors operate large dozer fleets.
Komatsu D65, D85, D155, and D275 — Large Dozers
The upper Komatsu D-series from D65 through D275 covers machines from roughly 50,000 to 175,000 lbs. The D275 in particular is a massive machine that rivals Cat's largest production dozers in weight and dimensions. These units require overweight permits, careful deck weight distribution on multi-axle trailers, and bridge-law analysis for every route. Blade removal is standard procedure on any of these machines before loading.
Komatsu D475 — Giant Mining Dozer
The Komatsu D475A is one of the largest bulldozers produced anywhere in the world, with an operating weight of approximately 330,000 lbs. Moving a D475 is a major engineering project requiring disassembly into multiple loads, specialized multi-axle hydraulic platform trailers, advance route surveys, and coordination with state DOT agencies. We have the contacts and experience to plan and execute these moves across state lines.
John Deere Bulldozer Hauling
John Deere's crawler dozer lineup covers the 450, 550, 650, 700, 750, 850, and 1050 series — machines built for everything from finish grading to hard-rock ripping. The larger Deere dozers in the 850 and 1050 class reach weights of 60,000–90,000 lbs and require the same oversize and overweight permitting as comparable Cat and Komatsu units. We're experienced transporting Deere dozers for construction contractors, land developers, and equipment dealers across the country.
Liebherr, Dressta, and Other Brands
We transport bulldozers from all manufacturers, including Liebherr PR series crawler dozers, Dressta (formerly International Harvester) models, and specialty machines from Shantui and XCMG. Many of these are purchased at auction or dealer inventory and need transport to job sites or repair facilities. Regardless of brand or age of the machine, we can assess dimensions, identify the right trailer type, and secure the correct permits.
Preparing Your Bulldozer for Transport
Proper preparation before loading saves time and avoids complications at weigh stations or bridge checkpoints. Here is what we recommend for most dozer moves:
- Remove the blade assembly: Blades are typically the widest point of any dozer and frequently push the load beyond 14 ft wide. Shipping the blade as a separate load or on the same trailer alongside the dozer body is the most common solution.
- Remove the ripper: Rear rippers add significant overhang and height. Removing the ripper reduces the overall length and lowers the transport height, which can eliminate the need for utility line lifts on some routes.
- Lower the blade if not removing it: On smaller dozers where the blade stays on, ensure it is pinned down in the lowest travel position to minimize height.
- Check for fluid leaks: Most states require that transported equipment not leak oil or hydraulic fluid. Address any known leaks before loading.
- Drain the fuel tank partially: For very heavy machines, reducing fuel load can bring the total gross weight below a permit threshold and save money on routing.
- Disconnect and secure loose components: Cab accessories, mirrors, and any attached tools or attachments should be secured or removed before transport.
RGN and Lowboy Trailer Options for Dozer Hauling
The right trailer choice depends on the dozer's size, ground clearance, and transport height. We match equipment to the best available trailer for each move.
- Removable Gooseneck (RGN) Trailers: The preferred choice for most bulldozers. The front gooseneck detaches and drops to the ground, creating a ramp. The dozer drives straight onto the deck under its own power, which protects the undercarriage and tracks. RGN decks sit 18–20 inches lower than fixed-neck trailers, which is critical for tall machines.
- Standard Lowboy Trailers: Used for smaller dozers when the machine can be safely craned onto the deck or when ramps are acceptable. Less common for large dozers with vulnerable track frames.
- Multi-Axle Heavy Haul Trailers: Required for mining-class dozers above 100,000 lbs. These trailers distribute weight across many axles to meet state bridge formula requirements.
Oversize and Overweight Permits for Bulldozer Moves
The vast majority of bulldozer transports require overweight permits, oversize permits, or both. Federal legal limits are 80,000 lbs gross weight, 8'6" wide, 13'6" tall, and 53 ft long. Most production dozers exceed one or more of these limits, especially with the blade attached. Our permit team obtains all state permits in advance, identifies restricted routes and bridge postings, and arranges pilot car escorts when required by width or weight regulations.
States with the most active bulldozer hauling activity — Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and California — all have distinct permit requirements and travel time windows. We know the rules in all 48 states and build compliant routing plans before your dozer ever leaves the yard.
Common Bulldozer Transport Applications
- Construction contractor fleet moves between major projects
- Equipment dealer inventory transfers and new-machine deliveries
- Auction purchases requiring transport from sale site to job site
- Mining company equipment deployment to new mine sites
- Land clearing and forestry operations requiring dozer repositioning
- Equipment repair transport to and from certified service centers
- Rental company fleet rebalancing between regional yards
Bulldozer Hauling Costs
Bulldozer transport costs depend on machine weight, blade configuration, origin and destination, and the number of states on the route. A compact dozer like a Cat D4 shipped 500 miles on a single lowboy typically costs $2,500–$5,000. A large production dozer like a Cat D9 or Komatsu D155 on a multi-state move may run $6,000–$12,000 or more depending on permits and escort requirements. Mining-class dozer moves are priced project by project. Contact us with your machine specs and we'll provide a detailed quote — there are no hidden fees.
You can also review our permit services page for more information on how we handle oversize and overweight permits for heavy equipment moves.
Request a Bulldozer Hauling Quote
To get an accurate quote, have the following ready: dozer make and model, approximate operating weight, blade configuration (blade width and type), pickup city and state, delivery city and state, and your target move date. We respond to all quote requests within one business day, and same-day calls are welcome at (404) 987-6225.