Low-Loader Transport
& Oversize HaulagePoland & All of Europe
Excavators, construction, agricultural & industrial machinery 10–60 tons.
Free quote in 15 minutes • OCP insurance €500,000
What is low-loader transport?
A low-loader (also known as a low-bed trailer, Tieflader, or naczepy niskopodwoziowa) is a specialized heavy-haulage trailer with a lowered cargo deck sitting at just 0.9–1.3 meters above ground. This low center of gravity provides two critical advantages: it allows transport of tall machinery without exceeding the legal height limit of 4.0 meters, and it ensures greater stability for heavy loads during transit.
Low-loaders are essential for moving construction equipment (excavators, cranes, bulldozers), agricultural machinery (combines, large tractors), and industrial equipment (CNC machines, transformers, turbines) weighing between 10 and 60+ tons. Unlike flatbed trailers designed for standard freight, low-loaders feature hydraulic ramps for drive-on/drive-off loading and heavy-duty winches for loading non-operational machines.
Low-Loader vs. Flatbed Trailer — When Do You Need Which?
| Feature | Low-Loader | Flatbed / Tow Truck |
|---|---|---|
| Max capacity | 10–60+ tons | Up to 3.5 tons |
| Deck height | 0.9–1.3 m | 1.4–1.6 m |
| Loading length | 6.2–11.8 m | 4–6 m |
| Hydraulic ramp | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Winch for non-runners | ✓ Up to 10t pull | ✗ Limited |
| Oversize permits | We handle it | Not applicable |
| Best for | Excavators, cranes, combines | Cars, vans, small equipment |
How can we help you?
Construction Machinery
Excavators, loaders, bulldozers, cranes, rollers — any weight from 1 to 100+ tons across Poland and Europe.
Agricultural Machinery
Combines, large tractors, sprayers, balers — seasonal and year-round transport with careful handling.
Industrial Equipment
CNC machines, transformers, generators, production lines — specialized loading and securing protocols.
International Transport
20+ EU countries. Full documentation, oversize permits, escort vehicles, and customs clearance included.
What low-loader platforms do we have?
Class I — 10 ton
Typical cargo:
Mini-excavators, small loaders, skid-steers
Class II — 20 ton
Typical cargo:
Excavators CAT 320, wheel loaders, combines
Class III — 35+ ton
Typical cargo:
Large cranes, Liebherr excavators, turbines
How much does low-loader transport cost?
Indicative prices for popular European routes (20-ton excavator)
| Route | Distance | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Warsaw → Berlin | ~570 km | €1,200–€1,600 |
| Kraków → Munich | ~850 km | €1,500–€2,000 |
| Poznań → Amsterdam | ~900 km | €1,800–€2,400 |
| Wrocław → Prague | ~280 km | €800–€1,200 |
| Katowice → Vienna | ~370 km | €900–€1,400 |
| Warsaw → Paris | ~1,500 km | €2,800–€3,500 |
| Gdańsk → Hamburg | ~650 km | €1,400–€1,800 |
| Kraków → Milan | ~1,100 km | €2,200–€2,800 |
* Prices are indicative, net of VAT. Exact quotes depend on machine dimensions, loading conditions, and timeline. Call for a free quote within 15 minutes.
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3 fields — we call back with a price in 15 minutes. No obligation.
Real transports we completed
Liebherr Crawler Crane — 34 tons
34 t~850 km • ~36h door-to-door
International transport through 3 countries (PL → CZ → DE). We arranged oversize permits for all jurisdictions, coordinated with escort vehicles, and provided GPS tracking throughout. The crane arrived on schedule despite a planned motorway closure near Brno, which our dispatch team rerouted around proactively.
3 Combine Harvesters — Convoy
~51 t total~1,100 km • ~24h
Three-platform convoy transporting New Holland CX8 combines for a Dutch agricultural dealer. Challenges included coordinating EU customs documentation, width permits (each combine was 3.3 m wide), and synchronized delivery to a narrow farm entrance. All three machines delivered within 30 minutes of each other.
CNC Milling Machine — 28 tons
28 t~370 km • ~12h
Precision industrial transport requiring anti-vibration loading and climate-controlled routing to avoid mountain passes with extreme temperatures. The machine was loaded using specialized cradles and secured with vibration-dampening mounts. Delivered with zero damage verified by manufacturer's inspection team on-site.
6 reasons to choose Gonera Transport
7+ Years on the Market
Since 2018Over 12,000 transports completed since 2018. Deep experience on domestic and international routes across 20+ European countries.
Modern Fleet with GPS
GPS real-timeLow-loader platforms 10–35+ tons with real-time GPS tracking. TÜV-inspected annually, regularly maintained.
Insurance — €500,000 OCP
IncludedFull OCP carrier liability insurance up to €500,000 plus Cargo All Risks on every transport. Included in the price.
Quote in 15 Minutes
24/7/365Free, no-obligation quotes within 15 minutes. Emergency transport available within hours. 24/7/365 availability.
Permits & Documentation
Full serviceWe handle oversize transport permits, escort vehicles, police coordination, and customs for every country on the route.
Dedicated Coordinator
Personal contactOne point of contact from quote to delivery. Phone, WhatsApp, email — reachable throughout the entire transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Detailed answers to the most common questions about heavy machinery transport
The cost of transporting a 20-ton excavator from Poland to Germany typically ranges from €1,200 to €2,500 depending on the exact route, dimensions, and timeline. For example, Kraków to Munich (~850 km) costs approximately €1,500–€2,000, while Warsaw to Berlin (~570 km) runs €1,200–€1,600. Factors affecting the price include oversize permits (required if width exceeds 2.55 m), weekend/rush delivery surcharges (20–40% extra), and loading conditions at the origin site. We provide free, no-obligation quotes within 15 minutes — call +48 534 531 513.
Cross-border oversize transport in the EU requires several documents: a valid OCP (carrier liability) insurance certificate, a detailed cargo specification including weight, dimensions, and axle loads, and oversize transport permits from each transit country's road authority (e.g., GDDKiA in Poland, Regierungspräsidium in Germany, RWS in the Netherlands). You also need pilot/escort vehicle authorization for loads exceeding 3.5 m width or 4.5 m height. At Gonera Transport, we handle all documentation, permit applications, and escort coordination as part of our service — our team has processed over 12,000 international transports since 2018.
A low-loader (also called a low-bed or Tieflader) has a lowered cargo deck at 0.9–1.3 m height, enabling transport of tall machinery without exceeding the legal maximum height of 4.0 m. A standard flatbed trailer sits at approximately 1.5 m, which limits the height of cargo you can carry. Low-loaders are designed for heavy loads of 10–60+ tons and feature hydraulic ramps for loading non-operational machines. In practice, if your machine weighs over 3.5 tons or exceeds standard road dimensions, you need a low-loader. For lighter vehicles up to 3.5 tons (cars, vans, small equipment), a flatbed/tow truck is sufficient and more economical.
Yes, we regularly transport non-operational, broken-down, or partially disassembled machinery. Our platforms are equipped with hydraulic winches with up to 10-ton pull capacity, allowing us to load machines that cannot move under their own power. We've handled cases including flood-damaged excavators, engines removed for overhaul, and machines mid-production with no wheels. The loading process is supervised by experienced operators who use steel ramps, chains, and tension belts rated for the specific load weight. Contact us with photos and dimensions for a precise quote.
We provide door-to-door heavy machinery transport across 20+ European countries. Our most frequent international routes include: Poland ↔ Germany (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt), Poland ↔ Netherlands (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht), Poland ↔ Czech Republic (Prague, Brno, Ostrava), Poland ↔ Austria (Vienna, Graz, Linz), Poland ↔ France (Paris, Lyon, Marseille), Poland ↔ Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp), and Poland ↔ Italy (Milan, Rome, Turin). We handle all cross-border logistics including EU oversize permits, escort vehicles, and customs documentation. Each transport is covered by OCP insurance up to €500,000.
We operate 24/7/365, including weekends and public holidays. For emergency requests, we can typically dispatch a low-loader within 2–6 hours depending on location and platform availability. Our average response time for inquiries is under 15 minutes. Emergency transport carries a 20–40% premium over standard rates, but guarantees priority scheduling. Real case: in November 2025, we arranged same-day transport of a 28-ton crane from Katowice to a construction site near Vienna (370 km) — dispatched within 3 hours of the call.
Every transport is covered by OCP (carrier civil liability) insurance up to €500,000 per shipment, plus a Cargo All Risks policy that covers damage during loading, transit, and unloading. This means both the transported machine and any third-party damages are fully insured. The coverage is included in our standard pricing — there are no additional insurance fees. For high-value equipment exceeding €500,000, we can arrange supplementary coverage on request. All policies are issued by recognized EU insurers and we provide certificates upon request.
Our fleet includes three classes of low-loader platforms: Class I (10-ton capacity, 6.2 m loading length, ideal for mini-excavators and small loaders), Class II (20-ton capacity, 8.5 m loading length, for standard excavators, wheel loaders, and combines), and Class III (35+ ton capacity, 11.8 m loading length, with extendable deck for cranes, large excavators, and industrial machinery). All platforms feature hydraulic ramps, GPS tracking, and are TÜV-inspected annually. We can also arrange specialized configurations for extra-wide loads or multi-machine convoys.
To prepare your machine for transport: 1) Secure or remove all loose attachments (buckets, blades, boom extensions), 2) Lower the boom/arm to minimum height and lock it, 3) Retract stabilizers and outriggers, 4) Drain or secure hydraulic fluid reservoirs, 5) Disconnect the battery if the machine will be in transit for more than 24 hours, 6) Provide us with the exact weight (from the manufacturer plate) and dimensions. If the machine is non-operational, let us know in advance so we bring the appropriate winch equipment. Our driver handles all loading, securing, and tie-down — you just need to ensure site access for the low-loader (minimum 4 m wide, firm ground).
Yes, all our transports are GPS-tracked in real time. Once your machine is loaded and secured, we send you a tracking link via SMS or WhatsApp so you can monitor the transport's progress on a live map. You also receive a dedicated coordinator's phone number for 24/7 updates. Our dispatch center monitors all active transports and proactively communicates any delays due to traffic, weather, or border crossings. Upon delivery, you receive timestamped photos confirming the condition of the machine at origin and destination.
Expert articles on heavy transport
How Much Does It Cost to Transport an Excavator in Europe?
Complete pricing guide for low-loader transport across popular European routes in 2026.
Read moreOversize Transport Permits in the EU — Step by Step
Which permits you need, how to get them, timelines and costs for each country.
Read moreLow-Loader vs Flatbed — Which One Do You Need?
Technical comparison, use cases, and cost implications for logistics managers.
Read moreWhat our clients say
187 verified reviews · Average rating 4.9/5
"Excellent service — our Liebherr R 950 was transported from Katowice to Munich in perfect condition. The team handled all German oversize permits. Will definitely use again for our next project."
Thomas Bergmann
Bergmann Bau GmbH, Munich
"We needed 3 combines delivered before harvest season started. Gonera Transport coordinated a convoy that arrived exactly on schedule. Very professional, competitive pricing, great communication throughout."
Jan de Boer
De Boer Agri, Rotterdam
"Transported a 28-ton Caterpillar 330 from Warsaw to Lyon. GPS tracking was very helpful — I could see the transport progress in real time. Arrived 2 hours ahead of schedule."
Pierre Moreau
Moreau TP, Lyon
"Quick response, fair price, insurance included. They moved our excavator from Wrocław to Prague in under 12 hours. The driver was experienced and careful with loading. Highly recommended."
Marek Novotný
Novotný Stavby, Prague
"Third time using Gonera for Austria deliveries. Always reliable, always on time. Their coordinator speaks English well, which makes communication easy. OCP insurance gives peace of mind."
Klaus Huber
Huber Erdbau, Vienna
"Cross-border transport through 3 countries — Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, then Italy. All permits were arranged by them. The CNC machine arrived without a scratch. Very impressive logistics."
Marco Rossi
Rossi Costruzioni, Milan
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