Caterpillar Equipment Transport

Hauling Caterpillar Equipment Nationwide

Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, and it's the brand we move most frequently. From a compact Cat 308 excavator headed to a landscaping contractor to a Cat D11 dozer bound for a mine site, R&RM LLC has been transporting Caterpillar machines safely across the continental United States since 2011.

Every Cat machine presents its own transport requirements — different weights, dimensions, ground clearance considerations, and loading procedures. Our experience with the Caterpillar product line means we know which machines can drive onto a standard RGN, which require lowboy configurations for legal height, and which need oversize permits regardless of trailer choice. We handle all of it, including permit coordination, route planning, and pilot car arrangement when required.

Caterpillar Excavators

Cat excavators are the backbone of North American construction and mining operations. We transport the full range of Cat excavator models:

Mini & Compact Excavators (Under 10,000 lbs)

• Cat 301–305 Series: Mini excavators typically weighing 2,000–12,000 lbs. These compact machines often fit on a flatbed or standard trailer but still require proper securement and, in some states, permits based on combination weight.
• Cat 308–318 Series: Mid-compact models in the 8,000–42,000 lb range. RGN transport is standard for this class, especially when combined with other jobsite equipment on the same load.

Standard Construction Excavators (20,000–130,000 lbs)

• Cat 320–330 Series: Among the most commonly transported excavators in North America. Operating weights from 46,000–74,000 lbs. RGN hauling with oversize permits for width when boom is attached.
• Cat 336–345 Series: Mid-to-large construction excavators at 80,000–110,000 lbs. Standard oversize configuration on an RGN with permits in most states.
• Cat 352–374 Series: Large production excavators typically requiring multi-axle RGN trailers, width permits, and in some cases route surveys for bridge clearances.

Large & Mining Excavators (130,000+ lbs)

• Cat 385, 390, 395 Series: Large mining excavators weighing 175,000–200,000+ lbs. These machines require disassembly (boom and stick removed, counterweight removed) before transport. Multi-axle lowboy configurations and full oversize/overweight permitting in every state transited.
• Cat 6015B, 6020B, 6040, 6060 Mining Shovels: Ultra-class mining shovels that must be fully disassembled for highway transport. These moves require extensive planning, specialized trailers, and multi-state permit coordination.

See our Cat 390F excavator transport case study for a detailed look at how we moved a large Cat excavator from Georgia to Texas.

Caterpillar Bulldozers & Track-Type Tractors

Cat dozers are among the most commonly transported pieces of heavy equipment. The D-series track-type tractors range from the light D3 to the massive D11, and each requires different transport handling:

• Cat D3–D5: Small to medium dozers in the 16,000–35,000 lb range. Typically transported on a standard RGN trailer, often combined with other equipment for efficiency.
• Cat D6–D7: Mid-size production dozers at 45,000–70,000 lbs. RGN hauling is standard; width permits may be required depending on blade configuration.
• Cat D8–D9: Large dozers at 80,000–115,000 lbs. These machines require oversize permits in virtually every state. Track width, blade width, and overall machine width are all factors in permit requirements.
• Cat D10–D11: The largest production dozers in Cat's lineup, with the D11 weighing over 230,000 lbs operating weight. Highway transport requires partial disassembly (blade and ripper removed), heavy-duty multi-axle trailers, and full oversize/overweight permitting with route surveys.

Our RGN hauling service is the preferred method for nearly all Cat dozer transport, enabling drive-on loading that minimizes handling time and reduces risk of damage.

Caterpillar Motor Graders

Cat motor graders are long machines with unusual proportions — their articulated frames and long wheelbases create specific transport challenges. The 12M through 18M series, along with the newer 120–160 lineup, are all frequently transported for road construction and grading projects nationwide.

• Cat 120–140 (formerly 12M–14M): Mid-size graders weighing 28,000–48,000 lbs. The long wheelbase makes RGN loading important for proper weight distribution across the trailer.
• Cat 150–160 (formerly 16M–18M): Large production graders at 55,000–68,000 lbs. Width permits are typically required due to blade overhang, and the length of the machine must be accounted for in state-specific length limit compliance.

Caterpillar Wheel Loaders

Cat wheel loaders range from compact models to the massive 994 series used in mining and quarry operations. Transport requirements vary significantly by model size:

• Cat 906–930 (Small Wheel Loaders): Compact to small loaders at 12,000–40,000 lbs. Easily transported on RGN trailers, often alongside other equipment.
• Cat 938–962 (Medium Wheel Loaders): Mid-size loaders at 40,000–65,000 lbs. Standard oversize transport with permit requirements varying by state and bucket width.
• Cat 966–982 (Large Wheel Loaders): 70,000–130,000 lbs. Multi-axle RGN configurations; oversize permits required in all states for width.
• Cat 988–994 (Mining Loaders): The 994K and 994H are among the largest wheel loaders manufactured, weighing up to 400,000+ lbs in operating configuration. These machines require disassembly, heavy-lift cranes for loading, ultra-heavy trailers, and full engineering support for each transport.

Caterpillar Articulated Trucks & Off-Highway Haul Trucks

Cat articulated dump trucks (ADTs) and off-highway haul trucks are purpose-built for mine and quarry sites, but they must travel on public roads to get there. Transport requirements for these machines are demanding:

• Cat 725–745 Articulated Trucks: 45,000–80,000 lbs empty weight. The articulated frame presents unique securement challenges; RGN transport is standard.
• Cat 770–785 Off-Highway Trucks: These rigid-frame haul trucks range from 120,000–200,000 lbs empty. Body, truck bed, and front axle must often be transported separately from the main chassis.
• Cat 789–798 Mining Haul Trucks: Ultra-class mining trucks with empty weights exceeding 300,000–400,000 lbs. Full disassembly and multi-load coordinated transport is required. These are among the most complex transport projects we take on.

Other Caterpillar Equipment We Transport

• Backhoe Loaders (Cat 415–450): Common on small construction sites; generally transported on flatbed or RGN without oversize permits for highway-legal configurations.
• Compact Track Loaders & Skid Steers (Cat 225–299 series): Small machines easily stacked or grouped on a flatbed for efficient multi-unit transport.
• Compactors & Rollers (Cat CS/CP/CB series): Soil and asphalt compactors require careful attention to width, as drum widths can exceed standard legal dimensions.
• Motor Scrapers (Cat 613–637): Push-pull scrapers and elevating scrapers are long, complex machines requiring RGN transport and, for larger models, oversize permits for length and width.
• Pipelayers (Cat PL72–PL87): Modified track-type tractors with side booms; transport as a standard dozer for weight but may require permits for boom configuration.
• Telehandlers & Forklifts: Cat telehandlers are generally within legal highway dimensions but still require proper securement for transport, typically on flatbed trailers.

Transport Methods for Caterpillar Equipment

• RGN (Removable Gooseneck) Hauling: The preferred method for most Cat construction and mining equipment. The detachable gooseneck drops to ground level, allowing machines to drive directly onto the trailer — eliminating the need for cranes or ramps and reducing loading time significantly.
• Lowboy Trailers: For taller Cat machines that would exceed 13'6" height on a standard RGN, a lower deck height trailer may be needed to maintain legal or permit-required height limits.
• Multi-Axle Configurations: Very heavy Cat equipment — large dozers, mining loaders, haul trucks — requires trailers with additional axles to distribute gross weight within per-axle legal limits set by each state.
• Oversize Transport: Most medium and large Cat machines exceed at least one legal dimension (width, length, or height) on public roads and require state-issued oversize permits. We procure all required permits for every state on the route.

Why R&RM LLC for Caterpillar Transport?

R&RM LLC has transported Caterpillar equipment for construction contractors, equipment dealers, rental companies, and mining operators across all 48 continental states. Since 2011, we've built the expertise to handle everything from a single compact Cat machine to multi-load mining equipment moves requiring careful coordination.

We understand Cat equipment's loading requirements — where to chain, how to position the machine on the trailer for optimal weight distribution, and which models require counterweight or attachment removal before legal highway transport. That hands-on knowledge translates directly to equipment delivered safely and on time.

Get a Caterpillar Transport Quote

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