Material Handler Transport

Material Handler Hauling Services

Material handlers are specialized purpose-built machines that sort, lift, and move bulk materials in scrap yards, recycling facilities, ports, steel mills, sawmills, and waste processing plants. Unlike general-purpose excavators, material handlers are typically configured with high-reach booms, purpose-built grapples or magnets, and elevated operator cabs that give the operator a clear view over large material piles. This configuration — tall, heavy, and often equipped with wide attachments — makes material handler transport a task that requires proper planning and experience.

Since 2011, R&RM LLC has transported material handling equipment for scrap dealers, industrial facility operators, timber companies, port authorities, and rental companies across all 48 continental states. We understand the dimensional and weight considerations specific to these machines, including high cab configurations that must be lowered or removed for highway transport, extended booms that may require disassembly, and pedestal-mounted stationary handlers that require crane-assist loading.

Types of Material Handlers We Transport

Scrap and Recycling Material Handlers

Scrap yard handlers are among the most common material handlers in North America. These wheeled or tracked machines work continuous duty cycles sorting ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, loading shredders, and feeding furnaces. Major models we transport include:

• Sennebogen 820, 830, 835, 840, 860, 870 M Series: Sennebogen's green-cab material handlers are purpose-built for scrap and recycling duty. The elevating Maxcab gives the operator superior visibility; during transport, the cab is lowered and the boom is retracted to reduce overall height. Weights range from roughly 44,000 lbs for the 820 M up to 220,000+ lbs for the 870 M — spanning from flatbed territory well into RGN and superload territory.
• Liebherr LH 22 through LH 150 M Series: Liebherr material handlers serve scrap, timber, bulk material, and port applications. The LH 40 through LH 80 range covers most industrial scrap yard applications; larger LH 110 and LH 150 machines serve heavy-duty port and steel mill duty cycles. Many Liebherr handlers run on rubber tires with a rear stabilizer for increased stability — the stabilizer's transport configuration affects overall machine width.
• Fuchs (Terex) MHL Series: The Fuchs brand — now part of Terex — covers purpose-built scrap handlers from the MHL 320 through MHL 380 and larger custom configurations. These machines are well-known in Southeastern US scrap operations and frequently move between facilities as recycling companies consolidate or expand yards.
• Caterpillar MH3022, MH3024, MH3026, MH3040: Caterpillar's material handler lineup fills the gap between standard excavators and dedicated industrial handlers. The elevated cab and purpose grapple configuration is familiar to Cat dealers and rental companies. Weights start around 50,000 lbs and reach 90,000+ lbs for the larger MH3040.
• Doosan DX-MH Series: Doosan material handlers compete directly with the Cat MH series in the mid-range scrap and recycling segment. Tracked configurations transport similarly to conventional excavators with the cab lowered; wheeled models require attention to axle weights for overweight permit purposes.
• Volvo EWR Series material handlers: Volvo's EWR150 and EWR170 wheeled excavators are frequently configured as material handlers with grapple attachments for demolition and industrial scrap work.

Port and Harbor Material Handlers

Port material handlers move bulk commodities — coal, grain, aggregates, metal scrap, and containers — at marine terminals and inland waterway ports. These machines are some of the largest mobile material handlers built:

• Sennebogen 8130, 8170, 8200 EQ harbor cranes: Purpose-built for port duty with capacities reaching 100+ tonnes. Pedestal-mounted harbor cranes are typically disassembled on-site by a rigging crew and transported as several oversize loads. We coordinate the transport logistics from site teardown through delivery and re-erection.
• Liebherr LH 600 B and LH 800 B harbor mobile cranes: Liebherr's rubber-tired harbor cranes offer high mobility on port pavement. Their transport configuration involves lowering the boom and mast sections — which often still produces an oversize load by width and height.
• Mantsinen 90R, 120R, 200R cranes: Finnish-built Mantsinen harbor cranes serve bulk handling operations at ports and river terminals. Large Mantsinen machines require careful assessment of component weights and dimensions before transport planning begins.

Timber and Sawmill Handlers

Log handling equipment serves sawmills, biomass facilities, and timber operations. These machines move green timber — a dense, heavy material — and are configured with large log grapples or clam grapples that add width to the transport envelope:

• Sennebogen 730 and 740 timber handlers: Purpose-built log stackers and log handlers with high-capacity booms designed for continuous heavy lift cycles in log yards. The large log grapple is typically removed for transport and shipped separately or with the machine.
• Log loaders based on excavator carriers: Many sawmill log loaders are built on Caterpillar, John Deere, or Komatsu excavator carriers with purpose-built log grapples and elevated cabs. Transport procedure mirrors standard excavator transport with the grapple removed or secured close to the machine.
• Prentice, Barko, and Pierce Pacific log loaders: Purpose-built log loaders for sawmill log yard duty on wheeled or tracked carriers. Weights range from 40,000 to 100,000+ lbs for the largest sawmill handlers.

Material Handler Transport Methods

RGN Trailers for Tracked Material Handlers

Tracked material handlers transport similarly to excavators — the machine drives onto a removable gooseneck trailer under its own power after the boom is retracted and the cab is lowered to its minimum transport height. RGN trailers rated from 55 to 150+ tons are matched to the specific machine weight. For machines in the 80,000–150,000 lb range, a 3-axle or 4-axle RGN with a spread axle configuration distributes weight across enough axles to meet per-axle limits in most states without a superload permit.

Lowboy and Heavy Haul Trailers for Wheeled Handlers

Wheeled material handlers typically cannot drive onto a trailer the way tracked machines can. Instead, they are lifted by crane onto a step deck or RGN trailer, or driven carefully up a loading ramp if the machine's ground clearance allows. Stabilizer legs must be pinned in the raised position and the entire machine thoroughly blocked and chained during transport. Wheeled machines over 80,000 lbs operating weight usually require a 3-axle or 4-axle RGN configuration to keep axle weights legal.

Crane-Assisted Loading for Stationary Handlers

Fixed-pedestal material handlers used in scrap yards or steel mills are not self-propelled. Loading these machines requires a crane on site — either the customer's facility crane or a contract mobile crane that we can coordinate. The pedestal, boom sections, and operator cab ship as separate loads. Our team coordinates the rigging and transport logistics so all components arrive at the destination in the correct sequence for re-assembly.

Oversize Permit Requirements for Material Handlers

Material handler transport permitting depends heavily on the machine's transport dimensions and the attachment configuration. Key factors our permit coordinators evaluate include:

• Height: Even with the cab lowered to minimum transport position, many large material handlers load to 14–16 feet of total height on an RGN trailer. Heights above 14 feet require permits in most states; above 15.5 feet in some states requires route surveys and bridge clearance checks. Some machines require partial boom disassembly to achieve a legal transport height.
• Width: Grapple attachments often exceed 10–12 feet in width and must either be removed for transport or carried on a separate load. The machine itself is typically within legal width when the grapple is removed, but machines with outrigger stabilizers may still exceed 8.5 feet.
• Weight: Large material handlers in the 150,000–200,000+ lb operating weight class require multi-axle trailer configurations and superload permits in most states. Superload permits typically require advance notice of 10 or more business days and may restrict movement to specific time windows on high-traffic routes.
• Pilot cars: Material handlers that require oversize permits for width over 12 or 14 feet (thresholds vary by state) need front and/or rear pilot cars. Our team coordinates licensed pilot car operators who are familiar with the specific route.

Material Handler Transport Applications

• Scrap yard relocation and new facility start-up equipment delivery
• Recycling facility fleet repositioning and equipment upgrades
• Steel mill and foundry material handling equipment moves
• Port and marine terminal crane transport and installation logistics
• Sawmill and biomass facility log handler relocation
• Auction and dealer equipment transfers (IronPlanet, Ritchie Bros., and others)
• Equipment rental company fleet repositioning between service territories
• New equipment delivery from manufacturers and distributors

Material Handler Brands We Have Experience With

• Sennebogen: 820, 830, 835, 840, 860, 870 M Series material handlers; 730, 740 timber handlers; 8130–8200 harbor cranes
• Liebherr: LH 22 through LH 150 M material handlers; LH 600 and LH 800 harbor mobile cranes
• Fuchs / Terex: MHL 320, MHL 340, MHL 360, MHL 380 and custom configurations
• Caterpillar: MH3022, MH3024, MH3026, MH3040 material handlers
• Doosan / HD Hyundai CE: DX-MH Series material handling excavators
• Volvo: EWR150, EWR170 wheeled material handlers
• Mantsinen: 90R, 120R, 200R harbor material cranes
• Prentice, Barko, Pierce Pacific: Purpose-built log handlers and sawmill equipment
• Any other make or model: We assess each machine on its specific transport dimensions and weight

Material Handler Transport Pricing

Material handler transport rates depend on machine weight, transport dimensions, pickup and delivery locations, distance, permit requirements, and whether crane assist is needed for loading. Mid-size tracked handlers in the 50,000–80,000 lb range moving regionally typically run $3,500–$7,000. Large handlers in the 100,000–150,000 lb class with full oversize permits and pilot cars run $8,000–$18,000 for longer hauls. Harbor cranes and stationary pedestal handlers that require dismantling and crane-assisted loading are quoted individually based on the specific machine and rigging complexity. Contact us with make, model, estimated operating weight, and move locations for an accurate quote.

For industrial equipment transport of all types — material handlers, transformers, pressure vessels, and custom industrial machinery — R&RM LLC brings the permit expertise, heavy trailer equipment, and operational experience to move your equipment safely and on schedule.

Request Your Material Handler Transport Quote

Provide the make and model, approximate operating weight, pickup and delivery locations, and any known dimensional constraints (cab height in transport position, attachment width). We'll confirm transport requirements and provide a competitive, itemized quote.