How to Organise Float Transport for Heavy Equipment in Australia
6 min read · 1 September 2025
How to Organise Float Transport for Heavy Equipment in Australia
Most civil construction machinery can't drive itself to your site. Excavators, dozers, graders, rollers and dump trucks are designed for off-road or restricted-road use only — they can't legally travel on public roads between locations. Getting them to and from your site requires float transport.
Understanding how float transport works is essential when hiring through Rollout. This guide explains everything — what a float is, how to choose the right one, what it costs, and how Rollout's transport network makes it simple to arrange.
What is a float?
In Australian civil construction, a float is the truck and trailer used to transport heavy plant machinery. The combination typically consists of:
- Prime mover (semi-trailer truck): A heavy-duty tractor unit, typically with a powerful diesel engine rated to haul the combined weight of the trailer and the machine
- Float trailer (low-loader, drop-deck, or extendable): A trailer with a very low deck height — typically 800–1000mm above the road surface — so that the loaded machine fits within road height limits (typically 4.3m from road surface to highest point of the load)
The term "float" comes from the idea that the machinery is "floated" from one location to another — carried rather than driven.
Why do machines need a float?
Civil construction machines are typically not road-registered. They don't have number plates, CTP insurance, road-legal lights, indicators, or the tyre specifications required for public road use. More critically:
- Ground pressure: Steel-tracked machines (excavators, dozers) would damage sealed road surfaces under their weight
- Road width: Many machines are wider than legal road travel limits
- Speed: These machines travel at 4–12km/h maximum — impractical for road transport even short distances
- Legal restrictions: Unregistered plant on a public road without a permit is illegal and heavily fined
Float types — matching the trailer to the machine
Not all floats are the same. The key considerations are rated payload (how much the trailer can legally carry) and deck width (whether the machine fits within its platform or overhangs).
| Float Type | Typical Payload | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Tag trailer | Up to 12t | Mini excavators, small posi tracks, small rollers |
| Standard low-loader (semi) | 25–35t | Mid-range excavators (5–14t), medium dozers, graders |
| Heavy low-loader (semi) | 35–65t | Large excavators (20t+), large dozers, large rollers |
| Extendable / modular trailer | 65t+ | Oversized plant, large dump trucks, cranes |
Always ensure the float's rated payload exceeds the machine's operating weight — not just the machine weight on paper, but actual loaded weight if the machine carries fuel, attachments, or ballast.
Road permits for heavy haulage
Some machinery transport requires road movement permits from the relevant state road authority:
- Mass permits: Required when the combined mass of the prime mover, trailer, and load exceeds standard axle mass limits
- Width permits: Required when the load width exceeds 2.5m (standard) — many mid-size plant exceeds this
- Height permits: Required for loads exceeding 4.3m above road surface
- Escort requirements: Very wide or heavy loads may require pilot vehicles (lead and/or rear escort) to provide warning and clear the road
Rollout's transport partners are experienced in obtaining the correct permits for the machines they carry. When you request float transport through Rollout, permit requirements are factored into the quote and timeline.
Who organises the float?
When hiring through Rollout, you have two options:
Option 1: Request through Rollout
When you submit your hire request, tick the float transport required option. Rollout's network of approved transport partners will be contacted, and you'll receive a transport quote based on:
- The machine being hired (operating weight, dimensions)
- Pickup location (the owner's address)
- Delivery location (your site address)
- Any special access requirements at either end
The transport quote is a separate line item from the hire rate — you'll see both clearly before confirming.
Option 2: Arrange your own
If you have a preferred transport contractor, or your own float capability, you can arrange transport independently. Simply collect the machine from the owner's location — details coordinated directly through Rollout's messaging system.
When self-arranging, ensure your float is rated for the machine's operating weight and that you have the correct permits if required.
What does float transport cost?
Australian float transport pricing varies based on machine size, distance, and any permit or escort requirements. As a rough guide:
| Float Type | Typical Payload | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Tag trailer | Up to 12t | Mini excavators, small posi tracks, small rollers |
| Standard low-loader (semi) | 25–35t | Mid-range excavators (5–14t), medium dozers, graders |
| Heavy low-loader (semi) | 35–65t | Large excavators (20t+), large dozers, large rollers |
| Extendable / modular trailer | 65t+ | Oversized plant, large dump trucks, cranes |
These are indicative only. Actual quotes depend on current fuel costs, permit fees, access conditions, and transport partner availability. Always get a confirmed quote before committing.
Site access requirements
Before arranging float delivery, consider your site access:
- Gate width: Will the float trailer fit through your site access point? Standard floats are 2.5–3m wide; wider if the machine overhangs.
- Weight limit: Is there a bridge or weak pavement between the road and your site that may not support the float's gross mass?
- Overhead clearance: Low bridges, power lines, or tree overhangs along the access route?
- Ground conditions at the drop-off point: The machine needs to be able to drive off the trailer. A soft, muddy drop zone is risky — the machine may slide or the trailer may become stuck.
Communicate any access constraints to your transport partner before dispatch so the right equipment can be arranged.
Preparing the machine for float transport
This is typically the owner's responsibility — they know their machine. Standard preparation includes:
- Removing or retracting any overhanging attachments
- Securing the boom, arm, and bucket in the travel position
- Checking that the machine's weight is within the float's capacity
- Ensuring tracks or tyres are clean (mud and debris on tracks is illegal to carry on public roads in most states)
The float driver will chain and binder the machine to the trailer — this is a specialised task and must be done by a qualified person.
Float transport for return
Don't forget to factor in return transport at the end of your hire. The float brings the machine to your site at the start — it needs to go back. Rollout's transport partners can arrange both delivery and collection in a single booking, often at a reduced total cost.
FAQ
What is a float? A truck and trailer combination used to transport heavy plant — the trailer has a low deck height to keep the loaded machine within road height limits.
Can Rollout arrange float transport? Yes. Request it when submitting your hire request. Rollout's transport network provides quotes based on machine size and distance.
How much does float transport cost? $300–$600 for short hauls under 50km for small machines. Larger machines over longer distances can be $3,000+. Get a confirmed quote for your specific situation.