How to Ship a Bobcat or Excavator in Florida: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Measure and Weigh Your Equipment

Before booking transport, you need three numbers: operating weight, transport width, and transport height. These determine what trailer is required and whether permits apply.

A standard bobcat S650 weighs 7,885 lbs and is 6 feet wide with the bucket. A Kubota KX040 mini excavator weighs 9,370 lbs and is 5 feet 7 inches wide with the tracks retracted. A CAT 305 mini excavator weighs 11,574 lbs and is 6 feet 5 inches wide. All three fit on a 7×16 dump trailer within standard Florida highway dimensions — no permits needed.

Check the manufacturer spec sheet for transport dimensions, not operating dimensions. Many machines are wider with attachments than in transport position. Retract tracks, fold mirrors, lower booms, and remove any aftermarket attachments before measuring. The transport width is what matters for permit thresholds — Florida's limit is 8 feet 6 inches without a permit.

Step 2: Choose the Right Trailer

Three trailer types handle equipment in the Tampa Bay market.

A dump trailer (7×16 or 7×14) handles equipment up to 12,000 lbs payload. Ramp loading from the rear. Best for: bobcats, mini excavators under 14,000 lbs, riding mowers, ATVs, vehicles. This is the most cost-effective option for local moves because the same trailer that hauls junk and materials also hauls equipment — no dedicated equipment trailer sitting idle between jobs.

A flatbed trailer handles equipment up to 20,000 lbs. Drive-on from the rear with beaver-tail ramps. Best for: larger excavators, compact track loaders, and vehicles. Flatbeds offer more deck space for wider machines but require a truck with higher towing capacity.

A lowboy trailer handles equipment from 20,000 to 80,000+ lbs. The deck sits lower than a flatbed, reducing overall height for tall machines. Best for: full-size excavators, dozers, wheel loaders. Lowboys require CDL drivers and typically cost $500 to $1,500 for local Tampa Bay moves.

Step 3: Secure the Load Properly

Florida law requires all loads to be secured against movement in any direction. For equipment transport, this means four-point tie-down minimum using chains rated for the load weight.

Chain Grade 70 (Transport Chain) is the standard for equipment hauling. Working load limits: 3/8-inch chain = 6,600 lbs, 1/2-inch chain = 11,300 lbs. Use a minimum of four chains — two on the front attachment points and two on the rear. Each chain should be rated for at least the equipment weight divided by four, multiplied by 1.5 for the safety factor.

Chain binders (lever or ratchet type) tension each chain. Ratchet binders are safer — lever binders can release violently if they slip. Every chain crosses the equipment at a 45-degree angle or less from horizontal. Steeper angles reduce the effective holding force.

For rubber-tracked machines (mini excavators, CTLs), block the tracks with wheel chocks or lumber in addition to chain tie-down. Tracks can walk on smooth trailer decks during transport, even when chained, if the road is rough enough.

Step 4: Plan the Route

For local Tampa Bay equipment moves, route planning is straightforward but worth the two minutes it takes. Check for construction zones on I-75, I-4, and US-301 — Florida's FDOT road conditions site (fl511.com) shows active closures and lane restrictions.

Avoid routes with low bridges if your loaded height exceeds 12 feet. The lowest commonly-used bridges in the Tampa Bay area are on secondary roads, not interstates, so stick to highway routes when possible. I-275, I-75, and I-4 all have minimum 16-foot clearance.

For delivery to residential jobsites, confirm that the street can handle a truck and trailer combination — minimum 40 feet for a straight approach, 60 feet for backing. Cul-de-sacs in subdivisions like Panther Trace and FishHawk are tight for long trailers. If access is questionable, do a drive-by before committing to a delivery time.

Step 5: Loading and Unloading Safely

Loading accounts for the majority of equipment transport injuries. A 9,000-lb mini excavator on a ramp that slips sideways is a deadly situation.

Position the trailer on level, firm ground. Set the parking brake on the tow vehicle and chock the trailer wheels. Lower the ramp and confirm it sits flat — no gap between ramp edge and ground that could catch a track or tire. Walk the ramp surface to check for grease, mud, or debris that reduces traction.

Drive the machine onto the trailer slowly and centered. Track machines should approach straight — never at an angle. Once on the deck, lower the boom, blade, or bucket to the deck surface. Turn off the engine. Set the machine's parking brake. Then chain down before moving the trailer.

At the delivery site, reverse the process. Unchaining before positioning the trailer is a common mistake — always position and stabilize the trailer first, then unchain, then start the machine and drive off. The operator should walk down the ramp alongside the machine if visibility is limited backing down.

What It Costs to Ship Equipment Across Florida

Local Tampa Bay moves (under 30 miles): $250 to $600 depending on equipment size. This covers pickup, transport, and delivery with tie-down and insurance included.

Cross-county moves (30 to 100 miles — Tampa to Lakeland, Sarasota, or Ocala): $400 to $900. The per-mile cost drops on longer runs because the fixed costs (loading, unloading, tie-down) are spread over more miles.

Cross-state moves (Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami): $800 to $2,500. At this distance, broker platforms like Heavy Haulers and uShip become competitive because they aggregate carriers running established routes. For one-off long-distance moves, compare broker quotes against a local hauler's direct rate — brokers add 15 to 25 percent markup but may have a carrier already running that route with open deck space.

These prices are for equipment that fits standard dimensions. Oversize loads requiring permits, escorts, or route surveys add $200 to $1,000+ to the total depending on the permit class and escort requirements.