Silo transport: moving an oversized silo body safely, step by step

When transporting a silo, weight is rarely what causes difficulty; size far more often does. A silo body that is fabricated and welded in one piece is, as a rule, an oversized load because of its diameter and length. Moving it requires a low-bed or extendable semi-trailer, exact dimensional data and a thoroughly checked route, and on public roads in Romania also a special transport permit. This guide goes through, in turn, what needs to be clarified before a silo is transported, what influences the cost and what data we ask for in order to prepare a quote. HONEXPRES is a freight forwarder: we do not have our own fleet, and we organise the transport with partner carriers.

The first decision: transport in one piece or in sections?

Silos made of panels and assembled with bolts are usually transported dismantled, as flat elements. In that case an ordinary flatbed or curtain-sided vehicle is often sufficient. A welded, ready-made silo body is a different matter: it cannot be taken apart without damaging it or without disproportionate cost.

Romanian legislation defines an indivisible load precisely as follows: a load which, for the purposes of road transport, cannot be divided into two or more parts without unnecessary cost or without the risk of damage. ^[1] A special transport permit (AST) may be issued for a vehicle carrying an indivisible load. ^[2] Whether a particular silo body falls into this category is decided by the authority that issues the permit. It is therefore advisable to establish, right from the start and together with the manufacturer, the form in which the silo will be handed over.

Which vehicle can be used for the oversized transport of a silo?

When a silo is transported in a horizontal position, its diameter determines the width of the load and, to a large extent, its height as well. That is why a low loading platform is a decisive criterion. The most common solutions:

• Low-bed semi-trailer (low-bed): the lowest loading platform, for silo bodies of large diameter.
• Semi-low-loader semi-trailer: a flexible solution if the height is still manageable.
• Extendable platform semi-trailer: for long, slender silo bodies. The maximum length measured in the extended state is considered a construction dimension of the vehicle. ^[2]

The general technical criteria for choosing a vehicle are set out in detail in our article on the technical conditions for transporting oversized loads.

Several silos on one vehicle or in a convoy

With smaller silo bodies, the question arises whether two can be loaded on the same vehicle. The Romanian rules make this subject to conditions. If a vehicle carries two or more indivisible loads, the total mass may not exceed 50.0 tonnes. ^[2] If the width results from the sum of the widths of several loads, it may not exceed 3.0 metres. ^[2] If the height results from loads stacked on top of one another, it may not exceed 4.0 metres. ^[2]

If several oversized vehicles set out together for one project, the length of the convoy may not exceed 75 metres. ^[3] This length includes, in addition to the length of the vehicles, the distance of 10 metres between each of them. ^[3] For a convoy, a separate AST is issued for each vehicle. ^[3]

Permits in Romania: what the regulations actually provide

The authorisation of oversized road traffic is regulated by the norms approved by Order no. 1.236/6.509/126/2018. These apply to the road network of Romania. ^[1] The special transport permit is the document by which the road administrator sets the route, the traffic conditions and the fees payable. ^[1] The permit is tied to the vehicle's registration number, its technical characteristics, the route, the direction of travel and the period. ^[1] A later change of vehicle or route may therefore require a new permit.

Enlarge

• Who issues it? In an annex, the norms set out up to which dimension and mass limits the CNAIR units are competent. ^[4] The greater the excess, the higher the level of the unit that decides.
• Validity: an AST for a single or multiple route may be issued for a maximum of 10 calendar days. ^[3] The duration is determined, among other things, according to the works on the route and the permanent or temporary restrictions applicable there. ^[3] If manufacture or loading is delayed, the permit may expire. It is therefore advisable to fix the loading date only once the silo has actually been completed.
• Different dimensions: if, on inspection, the vehicle exceeds the mass or dimensions stated in the permit, an additional AST is issued for the values found. ^[4]
• Escort: according to the norms, the escort is provided by economic operators specialised for this purpose, with authorised escort vehicles and trained personnel. ^[1] Whether it is mandatory for a particular transport is determined by the issuing authority, on the basis of the specific dimensions and the route.
• Driver: a driver registered in Romania who drives an oversized vehicle must hold a certificate entitling them to carry out oversized transports. ^[5]

What about the section in Hungary or another country?

The Romanian AST is valid only on public roads in Romania. On the territory of Hungary or another country, the rules and permits of the competent authority there apply. The dimension and mass limits, the escort conditions and the time restrictions must always be checked against the current requirements of the authority concerned. You can read about the practical aspects of route planning in our short guide.

Loading and securing: this is where safety is decided

A cylindrical body tends to roll, and the thin-walled shell can be deformed by incorrect lifting or by overtightened straps. The training of drivers who carry out oversized transports also covers loading, axle load and the centre of gravity. ^[6] The same applies to special systems for securing and protecting the load and for marking the transport. ^[6] In practice, this means the following:

Enlarge

• lifting points and a lifting plan from the manufacturer (lifting with one crane or with two cranes);
• timber or steel cradles adapted to the silo, which distribute the load and prevent rolling;
• protecting, or dismantling beforehand, the legs, discharge outlets and ladders, if the manufacturer considers it possible;
• exact measurement of the loaded transport before departure.

Exact measurement is particularly important. For permits issued on request, no tolerance is applied when calculating the fees due for exceeding the dimensions. ^[7] An underestimated height or width therefore does not "fit"; it can lead to an additional fee and delays.

What influences the cost of transporting a silo?

We cannot state a flat price, because the final amount is made up of several factors that differ from one transport to another:

• Permit fees in Romania: the total AST fee is made up of the issue fee, as well as the fees due for exceeding the total mass or the axle load and for exceeding the dimensions. ^[7] According to the fee table in Order no. 1.836/2018, the fee for exceeding the width is proportional to the distance travelled. ^[8] If several dimensions are exceeded, the fees are cumulative. ^[7]
• Repeated transports: for a specified route, an AST can be requested for 30 or 90 calendar days, or for 12 consecutive months. ^[3] For 30-day and 90-day permits, the full amount of the fee is calculated with a coefficient of 0.50. ^[7]
• Type of vehicle: the type of semi-trailer required (low-bed, semi-low or extendable), and the place from which it has to be brought to the loading point, also influence the cost.
• Escort and route: escort vehicles, detours and a longer journey time increase the cost.
• Loading: crane hire, cradles, securing equipment, waiting time at the manufacturer and at the unloading point.
• Risk: depending on the value of the load, separate cargo insurance may be justified. We have written about this in our article on the difference between CMR and CARGO insurance.

What should you send for the quote request?

1. The exact length, diameter and mass of the silo body, as well as the dimensions of protruding parts (legs, outlets).
2. A drawing or photograph, with the lifting points marked.
3. Whether the silo can be transported in one piece or in sections.
4. The loading and unloading addresses, the accessibility of the site, and whether a crane is available.
5. The earliest loading date and the desired arrival.
6. The number of units: a single silo or several units for the same project.

Enlarge

On this basis, together with our partner carriers, we assess the vehicle requirements, the permit formalities and the scheduling. You will find details of the service on our page on oversized transport.

Frequently asked questions about silo transport

Is the transport of a silo always considered oversized?

No. The elements of dismantlable, panel-type silos can often be transported on a standard vehicle as well. A silo body fabricated in one piece is, as a rule, an oversized load because of its dimensions.

How long is the special transport permit in Romania valid?

For a single or multiple route, a maximum of 10 calendar days. ^[3] For repeated transports, a permit of 30 or 90 days, or of 12 months, can also be requested for a specified route. ^[3]

Can two silos be transported on the same vehicle?

Yes, if the conditions are met: among other things, a total mass of no more than 50.0 tonnes and, if the widths are added together, a combined width of no more than 3.0 metres. ^[2]

What happens if the measured dimension differs from the one in the permit?

If the vehicle exceeds the values entered in the permit, an additional AST is issued for the dimensions found. ^[4] This involves a difference in fees and a loss of time, which is why exact measurement beforehand is worth the effort.

Is an escort required for transporting a silo?

It depends on the specific dimensions and the route. In Romania it is determined by the issuing authority, and in other countries by the competent authority there. We organise it together with our partners, on the basis of the conditions of the permit.

Request a quote for transporting a silo

If you need to transport a silo within Romania or between Romania and Hungary, send us the dimensions, the mass and the addresses. Together with our partner carriers, we plan the vehicle, the permit and the scheduling. Request a quote here.

Official sources used

• [1] Norms approved by Order no. 1.236/6.509/126/2018, art. 2 point 11
• [2] Norms approved by Order no. 1.236/2018, art. 11 para. (1) letter a)
• [3] Norms approved by Order no. 1.236/2018, art. 12 para. (1)
• [4] Norms approved by Order no. 1.236/2018, annex no. 1 (competence limits of the CNAIR units)
• [5] Order no. 1.214/2015, annex no. 5, art. 1 para. (1)
• [6] Order no. 1.214/2015, annex no. 5a) (training programme, "The load" subject area)
• [7] Order no. 1.836/2018, rules for applying the fees, part H, point 5
• [8] Order no. 1.836/2018, part 1, fee table, point 6.2

Send us the dimensions, the mass of the silo and the loading and unloading addresses, and we will organise the transport together with our partner carriers.