It can start with a payload as heavy as 170,000 lbs. Add in the specialized equipment needed to haul that load, and you’re talking about an oversize combination with a 260,000-lb GCW. Then, consider needing to transport it anywhere in the lower 48 states, Alaska, or Canada on an exact schedule over a carefully planned route.
For some carriers, that might sound like a daunting task. For Kivi Bros Trucking, it’s all in a day’s work.
Headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, Kivi Bros is a heavy-haul and open-deck specialist that transports a wide range of industrial, construction, pipeline, and railroad equipment to and from job sites and dealers.
“Heavy-haul loads take a lot of advance planning, timing, and coordination,” said Dakota Kivi, heavy-haul director. “We need to have the right equipment, routes need to be surveyed to confirm that we can safely pass under and over bridges, and we may need utilities to move power and communication lines and even streetlights. In addition, road construction can present challenges, and some permits require police escorts and restrict the days and times we can make the move, especially in urban areas.”
For heavy-haul moves, Kivi Bros fields a variety of specialized equipment. Double-frame, four- and five-axle tractors are equipped with 600-hp Cummins engines, high-torque Eaton transmissions, 46,000-lb-capacity Dana rear axles, and high-load range tires. Their fleet of trailers includes flatbed, step deck, sliding axle Trail-Eze, double drop, removable gooseneck, and Goldhofer units used in combinations with as many as 14 axles.
“It takes a special type of driver to haul-heavy loads,” Kivi explained. “They need extra training and experience, and they have to be patient and work well with a team of operations management and maintenance personnel. With drivers harder to find across the industry, this aspect of heavy hauling presents an even greater challenge.
“There are also amplified safety and risk management concerns in heavy-haul operations,” Kivi continued. “For one thing, the value of the load can be much higher, and the equipment we use is more expensive. And while we’re operating under the same safety and inspection rules as everyone else, penalties for violations can be higher.”
For its heavy-haul operations, Kivi Bros builds relationships with manufacturers to field the right equipment. Specifications often result from their input. Engine brakes developed by Jacobs Vehicle Systems for its Cummins powerplants are a result of that input.
“When you’re hauling a 260,000-lb-GCW load, especially on downhill mountain grades, Jake Brakes are crucial to traveling safely,” Kivi stated. “They are a first line of defense. Without them, we’d have to run in a lower gear and use the service brakes more often, which can cause a safety issue because it risks overheating and a possible runaway truck. In the long run, engine brakes help extend foundation brake life, and improve safety.”
The Kivi Bros maintenance team plays a key role in avoiding breakdowns during heavy hauls, an important factor considering that permits are truck and time specific, and there isn’t a source for rental replacement vehicles. Their proactive approach is focused on finding and fixing issues before they cause downtime on the road.
“Our fleet manager and technicians understand the urgency of avoiding equipment problems by addressing even the smallest things,” Kivi said. “They pay extra attention to every detail. Many of our technicians have been with Kivi Bros for a long time, so we’ve come to trust them, and because they know our equipment, we can rely on their abilities."
“We are a third-generation, family owned company with more than 65 years of trucking experience,” Kivi stated. “That gives us a strong sense of commitment to our customers and to our employees who work as a team to provide the very best solutions.”
