Unconventional Equipment Relocation and the Improvisation Behind Heavy Moves

[MikePhua]

The Challenge of Moving Heavy Machinery Without a Trailer
Relocating heavy equipment is typically a job for lowboys, tilt-decks, or rollback trucks. But in the field, necessity often breeds creativity. When a trailer isn’t available, operators sometimes resort to unconventional methods to move machines short distances—methods that range from clever to downright risky. Whether it’s a loader pushing a dozer, a backhoe towing a skid steer, or a machine riding its own bucket, these improvised moves reflect the realities of tight schedules, remote sites, and limited resources.
Terminology annotation:

• Lowboy: A trailer with a low deck height designed for hauling heavy equipment.
  
• Rollback truck: A flatbed truck with a tilting bed used to load and transport machinery.
  

In a rural grading job in Montana, a crew used a compact track loader to push a dead excavator 300 feet to a service truck. The maneuver took 45 minutes and required constant communication between operators to avoid track damage.
Bucket-Walking and the Mechanics of Self-Propulsion
One of the most unusual but effective techniques is bucket-walking—a method where an excavator uses its boom and bucket to lift and push itself forward. This is typically done when the machine’s drive system is disabled or when navigating terrain that’s too soft or unstable for conventional travel.
Steps involved:

• Extend boom and bucket forward
  
• Lower bucket to ground and curl to lift front of tracks
  
• Retract boom while maintaining bucket curl
  
• Repeat motion to inch forward
  

Advantages:

• No need for external towing
  
• Useful in swampy or unstable terrain
  
• Allows repositioning for service or recovery
  

Risks:

• Stress on boom and bucket pins
  
• Potential for tipping if not balanced
  
• Slow and inefficient over long distances
  
• Requires skilled operator control
  

Terminology annotation:

• Bucket curl: The motion of rotating the bucket inward using hydraulic cylinders.
  
• Boom retraction: Pulling the boom toward the cab to shift machine weight.
  

In a flood recovery operation in Louisiana, an excavator stranded in mud used bucket-walking to reach a gravel pad. The process took over an hour but saved the cost of a crane recovery.
Push-Towing and the Art of Controlled Force
Another common improvisation is push-towing, where one machine pushes another using its bucket or blade. This is often done with dead machines that can’t self-propel due to engine or hydraulic failure.
Push-towing configurations:

• Loader pushing dozer from rear
  
• Backhoe pushing skid steer from side
  
• Dozer nudging excavator from undercarriage
  

Precautions:

• Use low gear and steady throttle
  
• Avoid pushing on fragile components like hydraulic lines
  
• Communicate clearly between operators
  
• Use chains or straps for added control if needed
  

Terminology annotation:

• Push-towing: Moving a disabled machine by applying force from another machine, typically without a trailer.
  
• Undercarriage: The lower structure of tracked equipment including tracks, rollers, and drive motors.
  

In a demolition site in Ohio, a wheel loader pushed a dead skid steer across a muddy lot using a tire sidewall as a buffer. The technique prevented damage and allowed the skid steer to reach a rollback truck.
Creative Coupling and Improvised Hitching
Sometimes, operators fabricate temporary couplings to tow machines using chains, ropes, or even welded brackets. These setups are rarely recommended but can be effective for short, low-speed moves.
Examples:

• Chain looped around loader bucket and dozer drawbar
  
• Tow strap connected to excavator blade
  
• Welded hitch plate on rear counterweight
  

Safety tips:

• Never exceed rated capacity of chains or straps
  
• Avoid sharp turns or downhill towing
  
• Use spotters to monitor alignment and tension
  
• Disconnect immediately after move to prevent entanglement
  

Terminology annotation:

• Drawbar: A rigid towing point on a machine, often used for pulling trailers or other equipment.
  
• Counterweight: A heavy mass mounted on the rear of a machine to balance front-end loads.
  

In a logging camp in British Columbia, a mechanic welded a hitch bracket to a broken skidder to tow it behind a dozer. The move was successful but required post-move inspection for frame stress.
When Improvisation Becomes Necessity
While these techniques may seem unorthodox, they reflect the realities of field work where time, terrain, and tools don’t always align. Operators often face pressure to keep projects moving, and creative problem-solving becomes part of the job. However, safety and equipment integrity must remain the priority.
Recommended alternatives:

• Keep a tow-rated chain and clevis in every service truck
  
• Train operators on safe push-towing techniques
  
• Use recovery mats or cribbing for soft terrain
  
• Schedule trailer access for known relocations
  
• Document improvised moves for future planning
  

Terminology annotation:

• Cribbing: Stacked blocks used to support or stabilize equipment during lifting or recovery.
  
• Clevis: A U-shaped fastener used to connect chains or straps to towing points.
  

In a municipal fleet in Georgia, documenting improvised moves helped justify the purchase of a tilt-deck trailer, reducing future risk and improving logistics.
Conclusion
Moving heavy equipment without standard transport isn’t ideal—but it’s often necessary. From bucket-walking to push-towing, these improvised techniques showcase the ingenuity and adaptability of field crews. When done with care and awareness, they can bridge the gap between breakdown and recovery. In the world of iron and dirt, sometimes the funny way to move is the only way forward.