Utility pipes are responsible for many of the luxuries we enjoy today. Often it is easy to forget about the complex system of tubing for oil, gas, and the energy market. For companies focused on repairing and maintaining the electricity market systems, the concerns they present are all too common throughout the United States of America.
Replacing utility pipes or placing them in a new project is very difficult. It often presents logistical nightmares for utility projects and project management. After selecting the correct pipes and manufacturer, utility companies still must transport them to the job.
As you know, transporting utility pipes is no easy feat. it presents a myriad of challenges to overcome. But why exactly are these pipes so difficult to haul?
Here are some of the top concerns when it comes to hauling utility pipes post-construction:
Range
The range is the distance between the production site and the construction site. The space that the pipes will need to travel will impact the transportation options available as well as the costs. A cross-country trip will obviously have more implications than one across town.
Additionally, depending on the service you go with, distribution network distance may come into play.
The range will vary depending on your location and the specific project, but it presents a challenge either way.
Location
From truck traffic to weather, location can offer many variables. As it pertains to transporting pipeline developments, there are a few other considerations. This is especially true when dealing with oversized loads.
Consider the big difference between driving through North Dakota, Montana, California, Texas, or Florida.
Weather is one factor of location. Different weather conditions affect the hauling process. When hauling in wintry conditions you will face certain challenges. Likewise, when hauling these pipes in extremely hot, humid weather there will be other obstacles.
Additionally, the United States is a large country with many different local laws and regulations. Depending on where you are traveling, this could complicate the process. Some cities may even have local laws prohibiting or regulating your travel, adding more confusion to the mix.
Weight
The weight of a utility pipe can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. A cement pipe, for example, can weigh up to 1100 lbs per ft. Even at the lowest typical diameter for utility pipes, a cement pipe can weigh around 150 lbs per ft.
This means that even a 5 or 10-foot pipe could create a significant payload. In extreme cases, these may even result in the hiring of specialized equipment or additional “spotter car” drivers.
Size of the Project
Significant water gathering systems or other large pipeline projects could require many pipes at a time. This could result in the need for multiple loads or higher weight than anticipated for the travel.
When a project calls for large amounts of pipeline constructed at once, the logistics can grow more difficult.
Environmental Hazards
Some difficulties are beyond human control. Environmental concerns can disrupt the transportation of utility pipes on occasion. This includes snowstorms, wildfires, tropical storms/hurricanes, or anything else that impacts travel.
In most instances, the result of this is a simple delay in delivering the utility pipes. For times when it causes delays for the driver after they are already on the road, it may lead to an increase in cost.
Unloading
Once you have gone through the stages of construction and transportation, your pipes will still need unloading.
The unloading process for an item this large can be intense and require highly specialized machinery. Oftentimes, transportation companies leave this up to the customer.
When this happens, you will be on the hook for any expenses also related to getting your pipes off the truck. These can include expenses like additional staff and machinery. Both of which are often expensive, specialized ones at that.
Unloading may wind up being a significant additional investment in the transportation of your pipes.
Transportation Options
Each year there are around 500,000 accidents associated with trucking. Choosing the best option for your product is a task of tremendous importance. Many options available that seem more cost-effective may not be trucking companies at all.
Instead, they are often brokers who connect you with actual trucking companies. In doing so, they collect a commission on the amount you’re paid. While brokers seem to save time in the search for a trucking company, the results that you get may be unreliable.
The specialized nature of hauling utility pipes means that it is usually too important to leave up to chance. While a broker can quickly connect you with a trucking company that may help, contacting a company on your own is often better.
You Can Count on Blackwood Resources
Finding the right company to handle the logistics of hauling your utility pipes can take a tremendous amount of time. Having to communicate and vet the different options available is exhausting and complicated. The next time that you have to transport utility pipes, save yourself some time and hassle by starting the process with Blackwood Resources.
We are an asset-based trucking company with years of experience. That means that we own our trucks and we hire our own truckers to maintain the highest caliber of professionalism possible. Every person on our team is one that we stand by as a talented expert in the field, capable of taking on your task.
Our certified women-owned trucking company has experience hauling any and all needs that you may have. Regardless of what it is, we’ve likely had experience with it before!
Once we have safely delivered your pipes, we will also unload them for you, cutting down on your need to hire further help. We believe in creating a logistics system that makes your life easier, not more complicated.
Start the conversation today by calling us at 812-676-8770 or emailing us at jamie@blackwoodresources.com. We’ll give you a free consultation and discuss how we can assist you ins safely transporting your materials.
Remove these challenges from your mind and put the project into our hands today.