Course in Heavy Machinery Transport Logistics
Online 300-hour course in heavy machinery transport logistics. 6 modules covering RD 2822/1998 (General Vehicle Regulation, special authorisations), Directive 96/53/EC (maximum weights and dimensions) and AutoTURN (turning path simulation). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Heavy Machinery Transport Logistics — studying from New Zealand
Off-road and special vehicle engineering is a major strength in New Zealand, reflecting the importance of agriculture, forestry, mining and construction. Manufacturers and fabricators in the Waikato and Canterbury produce tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment and specialised machinery, many of which are exported worldwide. Engineers in this field work on design, testing and safety compliance for equipment used on farms, in plantations and on remote worksites.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,580 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Which New Zealand bodies relate to off-road and specialist vehicle engineering?
Engineering New Zealand is the main professional body, and vehicle compliance is handled by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. Heavy machinery and certain specialist vehicles can also fall under WorkSafe New Zealand rules. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so employers and regulators decide their value.
Who hires off-road and special vehicle engineers in New Zealand?
Employers include forestry and agricultural equipment firms, mining and civil construction contractors, fabrication shops, and emergency or utility vehicle fleets. Practical design, safety and maintenance skills are central to hiring. A SEIUM qualification may help, but its weight depends on the employer.
How does the study load work for someone with a job here?
The programme is fully online, so you can study around work from anywhere in New Zealand without a student visa. Specialist courses take 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. You get an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments or sponsored by an employer.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify special transport types and low-loader, platform and modular vehicles.
Process special circulation authorisations in accordance with current regulations.
Prepare a route study including analysis of clearances, bridges and turning radii.
Calculate cargo stowage and securing in line with the criteria of EN 12195-1.
Plan escorts, accompanying vehicles and convoy signage.
Define contingency plans for incidents during transport.
Estimate costs, insurance and liabilities for a heavy machinery transport project.
Who it's for
- Special transport manager looking to specialise in Heavy Machinery Transport Logistics.
- Route study technician looking to specialise in Heavy Machinery Transport Logistics.
- Machinery logistics coordinator looking to specialise in Heavy Machinery Transport Logistics.
- Traffic and authorisations manager looking to specialise in Heavy Machinery Transport Logistics.
- Cargo stowage and securing technician looking to specialise in Heavy Machinery Transport Logistics.
- Heavy transport fleet manager looking to specialise in Heavy Machinery Transport Logistics.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter special road transport.
What you'll work with
- RD 2822/1998 (General Vehicle Regulation, special authorisations)
- Directive 96/53/EC (maximum weights and dimensions)
- EN 12195-1 (load securing on road vehicles)
- RD 1428/2003 (General Traffic Regulation)
- Directive 2014/47/EU (roadside technical inspection, load securing)
- EN 12195-2 (synthetic fibre lashing straps)
- Regulation (EC) 561/2006 (driving and rest times)
- Law 15/2009 (contract for the road transport of goods)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Types of load: excavators, cranes, plants and indivisible pieces1.2Indivisible load and special transport: definitions1.3Load characterisation: mass, dimensions and centre of gravity1.4Platforms, low-loaders, extendable trailers and modular systems1.5Load capacity, axle load distribution and configurations1.6Lashing elements and machine anchor points1.7Partial dismantling to reduce clearance1.8Auxiliary equipment: cranes, ramps and pilot vehicles1.9Technical documentation of the machine to be transported1.10Workshop: technical sheet for a transport operation
2.1Maximum masses and dimensions and their excesses2.2Complementary circulation authorisations2.3Generic and specific authorisation: when each applies2.4Authorised routes and route study2.5Signage, accompanying vehicles and escorts2.6Timetables and circulation restrictions2.7Insurance and required guarantees2.8International transport and authorisations by country2.9Liability for damage to infrastructure2.10Practice: application for a special transport authorisation
3.1Route survey and critical points3.2Vertical clearances: bridges, tunnels and overhead lines3.3Turning radii, gradients and roundabouts3.4Load-bearing capacity of bridges and crossings3.5Ongoing works and alternatives3.6Access to origin and destination; manoeuvring areas3.7Calculation of load distribution and bearing pressures3.8Coordination with road and utility owners3.9Drawings and route study report3.10Practice: route study for a crane transport
4.1Principles of load securing and the forces involved4.2Calculation of lashings and selection of elements4.3Securing of tracked and wheeled machinery4.4Locking of moving parts and booms4.5Protection of surfaces and sensitive components4.6Loading operations with crane and ramps4.7Lifting plan and responsibilities4.8Pre-departure verification4.9Fixing of loose parts and accessories4.10Practice: stowage and securing plan for an excavator
5.1Pre-departure meeting and allocation of roles5.2Communications during the convoy5.3Speeds, distances and manoeuvres on narrow roads5.4Stops, overnight stays and cargo custody5.5Adverse weather and decision to suspend5.6Incidents: breakdown, blockage and damage to infrastructure5.7Emergency and evacuation plan5.8Operation records and evidence5.9Closing the operation and delivery5.10Case study: clearance incident en route
6.1Cost structure of a special transport6.2Budget and client offer6.3Insurance involved: cargo, liability and machinery6.4Distribution of liability between client and carrier6.5Contract for the transport of indivisible pieces6.6Subcontracting and subcontractor control6.7Quality indicators for the operation6.8Document management of the file6.9Common errors in special transport6.10Final project: complete file for a machinery transport
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is AutoTURN (turning path simulation), AutoCAD, QGIS, advanced Excel, PTV Map&Guide, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work covers real route study procedures with swept path simulation, stowage and lashing plans on a low-loader, and supervision of loading and unloading operations. Assessment is continuous across each module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Identify special transport types and low-loader, platform and modular vehicles.
Process special circulation authorisations in accordance with current regulations.
Prepare a route study including analysis of clearances, bridges and turning radii.
Calculate cargo stowage and securing in line with the criteria of EN 12195-1.
Plan escorts, accompanying vehicles and convoy signage.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with AutoTURN (turning path simulation), AutoCAD, QGIS, advanced Excel, PTV Map&Guide. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Course in Filtration and Fluid Control in Hydraulics
Online 300-hour course in filtration and fluid control in hydraulics. 6 modules covering ISO 4406 (fluid cleanliness code), ISO 16889 (multi-pass filter test) and Pall Filter…
Course in Hydraulic Automation in Industrial Machinery
Online 300-hour course in hydraulic automation in industrial machinery. 6 modules covering ISO 4413 (hydraulic fluid power: general rules and safety requirements), ISO 13849-1 (safety-related parts…
Course in IoT Applied to Agricultural Machinery
Online 300 h course in IoT applied to agricultural machinery. 6 modules covering ISO 11783 (ISOBUS), ISO/IEC 30141 (IoT reference architecture) and The Things Network (LoRaWAN).…
More in Off-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery
All Off-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships