Top 10 Most Common Machines We Haul in Las Vegas & Phoenix (And How We Do It Safely)

By Flat Out Services — Heavy Haul Specialists in Las Vegas & Phoenix

Before the sun rises over the Las Vegas Strip or across the wide open desert stretches of Phoenix, heavy equipment is already moving. Construction crews are staging for concrete, solar farms are setting up pile drivers, utility contractors are trenching before traffic hits, and industrial job sites are mobilizing machines across the Valley.

Every one of these operations depends on safe, reliable equipment transport, and in cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix — where growth never slows — the demand for heavy haul has never been higher.

At Flat Out Services, we move machinery every single day between project sites in Clark County, Maricopa County, Pinal County, and beyond. After thousands of loads, certain machines appear again and again — the backbone of construction in both cities.

This is a look inside the top 10 most common machines we haul, and more importantly, how we transport each one safely and correctly.

1. 470-Class Excavators (CAT 349/Deere 470/Komatsu 480)

Out of everything we move, 470-class excavators may be the most requested across both Las Vegas and Phoenix. Solar farms love them. Civil contractors rely on them. Utility contractors use them like Swiss Army knives.

But hauling a 470 is never routine — not when they often weigh 105,000–120,000 lbs with attachments.

How We Haul Them Safely

A 470 requires a 9-axle configuration or a 16-tire lowbed, depending on the route and the state.Why?Because Arizona’s axle-spacing rules are stricter than Nevada’s, and a single miscalculation can mean a denied permit.

We always:

• remove buckets if required for height

• position boom and stick correctly for clearance

• load on stable ground (especially in loose desert dirt)

• apply multiple independent securement points

A 470 excavator isn’t “just another machine.” It’s a precision load that demands experience.

2. 349-Class Excavators (CAT 336/349, Deere 350, Komatsu 350)

These machines dominate subdivision work in Phoenix and Vegas, moving from trenching jobs to grade pads to utility installs.

They’re smaller than a 470 — but still large enough to require:

• an RGN

• careful loading if the site is soft

• attention to stick angle and weight distribution

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Common Safety Practices

Operators must lower the boom perfectly into the well to avoid excess height.Crowd pressure matters — too much and you risk shifting during transit, too little and you lose deck stability.

We chain 349s like they’re going to work immediately upon arrival — because they often are.

3. D8–D10 Dozers (Especially Common in Vegas Earthwork)

In Las Vegas, dirt contractors use D8s and D10s for mass grading on everything from casino expansions to warehouse pads. In Phoenix, they’re common on data center sites and freeway projects.

Dozers are deceptively difficult to haul — because the weight sits in the undercarriage and blade geometry changes the load footprint.

Our Hauling Approach

We often remove the blade depending on:

• width limits

• jobsite access

• permit requirements

Dozers get chained from:

• track frames

• tow points

• rear drawbar

No shortcuts.No “it’ll be fine.”

These machines cost $500,000–$1,000,000+.We treat them accordingly.

4. 988 Wheel Loaders

If there's a machine that truly tests a company’s ability to haul wide and tall equipment safely, it's the CAT 988.

Phoenix solar sites and Vegas mining/aggregates both rely heavily on these giants.

Why They’re Challenging

• High center of gravity

• Heavy articulation point

• Massive width (often 12–13 feet)

• Weight approaching 110,000+ lbs with buckets

Safety Method

We use 16-tire lowbeds, giving the machine a wider stance and better roll stability.We also secure both front and rear frames independently since loaders shift differently during transit.

The result: stable, compliant transport every time.

5. Graders (CAT 140, 150, 160)

Graders are everywhere in Arizona and Nevada — subdivision work, solar sites, municipal roadwork, industrial pads.

Why They Require Skill

Graders load unevenly because:

• the front frame is long

• the rear carries most of the weight

• articulation creates shifting risks

We load graders with the blade angled properly, articulation locked, and wheels aligned for deck tracking.Inexperienced carriers often damage the circle drive — we never do.

6. Rollers & Compactors (Sheepsfoot, Smooth Drum, Pneumatic)

Rollers travel constantly in both cities — they’re like the taxis of the construction world.

Light enough to move quickly, but heavy enough to cause damage if loaded incorrectly.

Our Loading Method

Compact equipment is often loaded on:

• RGNs

• Step decks

• Landolls

We apply redundant securement due to drum weight and offset balance.A roller must not shift, even one inch. Our crews chain them accordingly.

7. Telehandlers (SkyTrak, JLG, Genie)

Telehandlers may be the single most frequent machine on construction sites throughout Las Vegas and Phoenix.

They service:

• commercial builds

• solar projects

• tilt-panel jobs

• distribution centers

• residential framing

Why They’re Tricky

Telehandlers are deceptively heavy and have unconventional tie-down points.

We secure the frame, not the boom — and we ensure the carriage and forks are fully stowed to reduce height.

8. Boom Lifts & Scissor Lifts

Used in nearly every trade, lifts move in and out of Vegas and Phoenix job sites constantly.

Safety Note

Hydraulic drift is real.We always lower, lock, pin, and chain to prevent drift during transit.

Our Landoll tilt-decks excel here — no unnecessary risk during loading.

9. Crane Components (Boom Sections, Counterweights, Jibs)

Crane support work is a specialty that only a handful of companies do well.

How We Do It Safely

Counterweights are dense and tricky — they require proper WLL-rated securement and spacing.Boom sections require careful softening, spacing, and alignment to prevent weld stress.

Flat Out is trusted by crane companies in both cities because safety is non-negotiable.

10. Skid Steers with Attachments

Skids are small, but dangerous to haul incorrectly.

Our Approach

We secure the frame, not the bucket.We chain attachments separately.We use the right deck height depending on jobsite access.

Small loads deserve big attention.

🌵 What Makes Equipment Transport in Las Vegas & Phoenix Unique?

Both markets share something important:They’re fast-moving construction cities with huge geographic footprints and harsh environments.

In Vegas, tight job sites near the Strip require precision.In Phoenix, desert access roads and ADOT rules demand expertise.

Flat Out Services handles both because we specialize in heavy, technical, high-value equipment.

Safety Is Not an Option — It’s the Foundation of Our Operation

Every load, no matter how routine, goes through:

• pre-trip inspection

• load securement verification

• deck placement checks

• traction and ground assessment

• route evaluation

• post-load photo documentation

Because the only thing more important than speed…is safety.

Closing: Why Contractors Trust Flat Out Services

In Vegas and Phoenix, equipment is the lifeline of construction.If it doesn’t show up, nothing happens.

Flat Out Services is trusted across the Southwest because we:

• own the right trailers

• employ the right drivers

• plan our moves with precision

• know the permit systems

• communicate clearly

• deliver on schedule

From 470 excavators to 988 loaders, from rollers to counterweights —we haul the machines that build the cities of the desert.