Over Dimensional Load

What is an Over Dimensional Load and How Do You Deal with It?

The equipment required to produce oil and gas in the petroleum industry come in a variety of sizes, from a small FloDrip® wellsite separator to large glycol dehydration units. They are often mounted on big skids to accommodate the auxiliary equipment required to operate the unit. Transporting them from the fabrication facility to the customer’s site requires specialized trucks and logistics planning.

When it comes to transportation logistics, it helps to consider the essential aspects of the equipment, including the weight, width, height, and length. Also, special transportation permits are required to move these units. The transportation departments for each province establish maximum vehicle weight and dimension limits. This ensures the safety of the public and helps to preserve highway infrastructure. The legal limits are applicable for any registered vehicle travelling on public roads. They also include provisions for the movement of oversize loads under permit. Read on to learn more about the over-dimensional loads.

  • Restrictions & Rules for Over Dimensional Loads in Alberta
  • What is an Over Dimensional Load and How Do You Deal with It?

What are Over Dimensional Loads?

An oversized load refers to any capacity or truckload that exceeds the allowable legal length, height, and width stipulated by each province. Generally, the maximum permitted dimensions are:

  • Load Width – 8.5 feet or 2.6 meters
  • Load Height – 13.5 to 14.5 feet or 4.1 to 4.4 meters

Any shipment that is within the specified dimensions and carried by a trailer with enough axles for the weight does not need any special permits. However, loads that exceed the limits must follow the additional requirements, such as having warning flags and warning lights, escort or pilot vehicles, and adhere to permitted travel routes and times.

What is a Pilot Car or Escort Vehicle?

A pilot car typically escorts a truck and trailer carrying an oversized load. The driver of the escort car works with the driver in the truck. The pilot driver travels in front of the load and the escort vehicle at the back of the load to warn the public about the obstacles or traffic changes.

Pilot Car Requirements in Alberta

It helps to keep in mind the following for loads over the legal limits:

  • Up to 8.5ft or 2.6m Wide – warning lights and flags are required, especially during adverse weather conditions or when it is dark
  • Between 8.5ft or 2.6m and 11ft or 3.35m Wide – a pilot car is a must
  • Between 11ft or 3.35m and 14.5ft or 4.45m Wide – a pilot car and a trail vehicle is required

British Columbia and Saskatchewan also have similar requirements. However, each load must be planned separately to consider the restrictions imposed by the local jurisdictions such as cities, towns, and rural counties.

Height Restrictions for an Over Dimensional Load

Transport heights are a safety consideration for the loads to clear bridges, traffic signals, power lines, and other overhead obstructions. It helps to know that you may need police escorts and power line crews for loads over the typical height of 13.5ft or 4.11m.

Fortunately, in Alberta, the provincial government has invested in creating a network of high load corridors to handle over-dimensional loads. It includes highways within the province that have raised overhead utility lines to accommodate any loads up to 9.0 meters high.

At Aspire Energy Resources Inc., we are connected to Alberta’s High-Load Corridor, which allows us to fabricate a variety of over-dimensional units.

Wide Selection of Production Equipment for The Oil & Gas Industry

We understand that transportation can be expensive, especially when it comes to transporting large equipment. This is why we have experts for designing each system, including dehydration units, oil treaters, and more, in a way that makes it easy to transport them to the site.

We have an experienced logistics team and strategic transportation partners to ship any size project from our facility to your site safely and efficiently. We know what it takes to plan, organize, and ship over-dimensional loads. For more information about our equipment line-up, call us at 403-314-5422 or toll-free 1-800-993-9958.

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