Ever wondered what was the largest load ever transported in the state of Victoria?

Clocking in at a massive 663 tonnes, the biggest load to travel on Victorian roadways in the past few years, was delivered from the Port of Geelong to the Haunted Gully in Lismore in 2019.

Heavy haulage involves far more than may seem apparent at first glace. Learn more in our deep-dive into what goes on behind the scenes to make sure that heavy loads are delivered all according to plan.

Starting Off on the Journey

The entire delivery was a significant operation, to move a 663 tonne energy transformer through Western Victoria.

Starting on the 7th of January, 2019, the transformer was unloaded from a ship at Corio Quay in Geelong. Its final destination was a project to build a wind farm in Haunted Gully, close to Lismore.

The enormous cargo was towed by three Lampson trucks on specialised trailers for heavy haulage. An enthusiastic audience gathered to see the cargo go past, in the early morning hours of the 8th of January in Geelong.

The cargo was 115 m long, 5.12 m wide and 5.5 m tall. Moving at a hauling speed of just 20 km per hour, it was a journey that took months of planning by experts in heavy haulage.

The Convoy on the Road 

As the cargo travelled along Saint Georges Road, traffic management vehicles from VicRoads and other institutions had to block off the Princess Highway, so that the cargo would have time to pass. First in the convoy was a truck with a measuring pole, to check for height clearances.

As with any operation this major, there were some unplanned occurrences to deal with along the way. Already travelling slower and arriving a couple of hours later than expected, the superload then started to drag on the road surface. In response, the road workers had to readjust the heavy haulage trailers so that the load would clear the road, and with this, the load was able to continue on its journey in short order.

Once having cleared the crossing of the Princess Highway, the superload regained its full speed to continue on its way along Cox Road. It met its first rest stop near Waurn Ponds as per the schedule.

All in all, no matter the unexpected, the traffic management experts saw the cargo arrived safely at its final destination.

H2 Why Expertise Matters for Heavy Haulage

Even when hauling a cargo smaller than the superload like this one, there are a number of factors to take into account when it comes to transporting oversized loads.

Depending on the weight limitations, you will need professional advice as to how to safely pack and load the cargo, as well as plan the journey from starting point to final destination. For example, heavy haulage experts will be able to interpret the regulations on your behalf about whether or not you need to use a pilot vehicle or a police escort -- depending on where in Australia you are transporting, the size and nature of the heavy haulage cargo, and the time of day of the journey.

And when it comes to solving any issues that may occur along the way, heavy haulage professionals are the same experts you'll rely on to keep your cargo safe. 

Trust in the Expertise at Shamick Transport  

Looking for the experts you can entrust your heavy haulage needs to?

Get in touch with Shamick Transport today. With the glowing reviews from our past customers, you can see that our range of services can meet your every need in transportation and haulage. For safe and efficient heavy haulage services, contact our team today.