Compactors & Rollers Shipping
Compactor & Roller Shipping Solutions
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Ship Your Compactors & Rollers
Get expert advice on the best shipping solution for your equipment.
Related Equipment
Overview
Compaction equipment ranges from small walk-behind rollers to massive landfill compactors. Each type has specific transport considerations based on weight, width, and drum configuration.
We handle vibratory soil compactors, asphalt rollers, pneumatic tire rollers, padfoot/sheepsfoot rollers, and specialized landfill compactors.
Most compactors are excellent RoRo candidates due to their wheeled or rubber-tired design.
Typical Specifications
| Weight Range | 1 - 60+ metric tons |
| Drum Widths | 1.0m - 2.2m |
| Overall Width | 1.5m - 3.5m |
| Overall Length | 3m - 10m |
Recommended Shipping Methods
Container
RecommendedWalk-behind, plate and small tandem rollers load straight into a 20 ft or 40 ft container, often several units per box.
Flat Rack Container
RecommendedGood for smaller vibratory rollers.
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
RecommendedIdeal for most roller and compactor types.
Standard Trucking
RecommendedMost compactors within legal limits.
Heavy Haul
Only for largest landfill compactors.
Container, flat rack, RoRo or breakbulk?
We quote in this order because it is usually cheapest first. Most machines that look too big for a box fit once our crew takes off the bucket, boom, cab or wheels; larger ones are taken further apart across several containers, and pieces too big or heavy for a flat rack or roll trailer go breakbulk.
01Container
- Work needed
- We partially disassemble when needed (bucket, boom, cab, wheels), or take larger machines further apart across several high-cubes and open-tops, then crate, block and lash every part.
- Destinations
- Widest: almost every port worldwide, plus inland delivery by rail.
- Typical cost
- Usually the lowest, with no out-of-gauge surcharges.
- Protection
- Sealed steel box; loose parts and attachments travel locked inside.
- Best for
- Most machines: compact ones as they are, others after partial disassembly, and large ones split across several containers.
02Flat rack
- Work needed
- Ships assembled, blocked and lashed. Surcharges apply when wider than 2.4 m or taller than about 1.95 m.
- Destinations
- Most container ports, on the same vessels as containers.
- Typical cost
- Moderate; rises with every centimetre out of gauge.
- Protection
- Open to the weather; we protect cabs, electronics and hydraulics.
- Best for
- Excavators, dozers and loaders too wide for a container door.
03RoRo
- Work needed
- Drives on assembled; non-runners go on a roll trailer.
- Destinations
- Fewer destinations: regular lanes to Europe, West Africa, the Middle East, Oceania and parts of Latin America.
- Typical cost
- Often competitive for large self-propelled machines where a lane exists.
- Protection
- Below deck, but loose items and attachments cannot ride inside the cab.
- Best for
- Running machines going to a port with regular RoRo sailings.
04Breakbulk
- Work needed
- Lifted aboard piece by piece by ship’s or shore cranes, on its own skids or cradle, then stowed and lashed in the hold or on deck.
- Destinations
- Ports with breakbulk berths and heavy-lift cranes; sailings are booked voyage by voyage.
- Typical cost
- Usually the highest for a single small machine; often the only option for the largest pieces.
- Protection
- In the hold or lashed on deck; we crate, wrap and protect exposed parts.
- Best for
- Pieces too large or heavy for a flat rack or roll trailer: transformers, process modules, mining trucks, crane sections.
Handling & Preparation Requirements
- Drum scrapers in transport position
- ROPS folded if containerizing
- Secure articulation (tandem rollers)
- Vibration system off
- Water tank empty (asphalt rollers)
- Standard fluid levels
Compactors & Rollers we have loaded in containers
A spread of machines from our dismantling and loading records, with the boxes each one went in. Open a brand to see every model and its plan.
Roller or compactor
CAT 815 B
1 × 40 ft high cube
Caterpillar loading plansRoller or compactor
CAT 825B
2 × 40 ft high cube
Caterpillar loading plansRoller or compactor
CAT 815 F
1 × 40 ft high cube
Caterpillar loading plans
Common Models We Ship
Frequently Asked Questions
Can rollers ship in containers?
Smaller vibratory rollers (under 10 tons) can often fit in flat rack containers. Larger rollers typically require RoRo or breakbulk.
Do water tanks need to be empty?
Yes, water tanks on asphalt rollers should be emptied before shipping to reduce weight and prevent spillage.
Are landfill compactors too heavy for RoRo?
Large landfill compactors (CAT 836K, etc.) often exceed 50 tons and may approach RoRo limits. We'll confirm suitability based on specific vessel.
Plan your shipment
Import Duty & Tax Estimator
Estimate duty and VAT on the CIF value for 70+ destinations.
Dimensional Weight Calculator
Work out chargeable weight before you book.
Container Space Calculator
See how your cargo fits in 20ft, 40ft, and HC containers.
Route Finder
Load port, sailings, duty and rules for a machine and destination.
Ready to Ship Your Compactors & Rollers?
Get a customized quote for your equipment. Our experts handle compactors & rollers shipments worldwide.