A tractor shipping story…

[PWL216 889]

TL/DR - Shipped a 257-H from S. Elgin, IL to N. Attleboro, MA via Fastenal for $244.

 

A few months back a member @Stratman(Dan) put up a 257-H with 95 original hours for sale in the classified section. I have a 520H with a loader, a 314H with a plow and a 314-8 - but the 257 struck my fancy for use as an everyday lawnmower. No hump, easy on, easy off. I really wanted it. I reached out to Dan to let him know that I was going to do some research into my options for shipping the mower from the Chicago area back to Boston. After getting several quotes ranging between $1,200 and $2,300, I sent Dan a note and said it looks like it isn’t going to happen. Then in a chat with @ebinmaine, I mentioned that there was a Fastenal store down the street from me and I was thinking of popping in and asking them what they might charge. So I did. The guy I spoke to in the office (Earl) was great and gave me the name and number for their sister company that does shipping - Blue Lane Freight Shipping. I called, the young lady asked me for the weight and dimensions of the tractor, which I provided. I had a quote emailed to me literally within five minutes.  I called Dan back and said it looks like it’s possible for us to get this done. We had a quick conversation, and made the deal. 
 

Here are some things to know…

- Blue Lane Shipping 855-978-5695

- Dispatcher: Tawnya Johnson (sent the quote)

- They will not insure the shipment unless it’s fully crated. Mine was shipped on a skid Dan made. He also covered it with a furniture blanket and an old John Deere cover and strapped it down.

- Your seller has to be willing to put it on a skid, drain the gas and oil (leave tranny oil in) and deliver it to a local Fastenal store.

- You need to make an appointment at the store for drop off - no walk ins.

- The receiving store will call you when it arrives.

- They will not commit to shipping times, mine took 1 week.

- The payment for shipping is paid at the pickup store by credit/debit card, no checks or cash.

- The Fastenal store uses a forklift to load, unload and reload the machine onto your trailer.

 

I hope this helps anyone who may have been thinking of a mower they like, but felt the distance/shipping made it unattainable.

 

Paul

 

 

Edited January 10 by PWL216

[ebinmaine 67,484]

This is awesome! 

 

Hopefully when someone is looking for a good way to ship a machine I can remember to reference this one! 

 

[c-series don 8,707]

I used Fastenal to ship my EZ-rake de-thatcher from Illinois to here on Long Island. It was super easy using them. If I remember correctly it was only around $175. You just can’t be in a hurry, they say usually within 2 weeks. 

[WHGuy413 2,683]

I’ve never shipped anything through them but have one of their stores about 10 minutes away. Maybe this will broaden my horizons on buying things that are further away than a quick drive. Thanks for the good report.

[Pullstart 62,852]

Very cool!  Awesome network of information we share on this site!

[ebinmaine 67,484]

8 hours ago, WHGuy413 said:

I’ve never shipped anything through them but have one of their stores about 10 minutes away. Maybe this will broaden my horizons on buying things that are further away than a quick drive. Thanks for the good report.

 

Matt, just make SURE your local Fastenal ships and receives large freight.  

I have two locations about an hour from me. 

One does. One does not.  

The "nice people on the long distance phone" do NOT know this.  

 

I'd highly advise walking into the location to speak to them directly. 

 

 

I really appreciate @PWL216 Paul sharing his story and

  ~  IMHO more importantly  ~ 

the good contact information from the person he dealt with.  

 

[WHX?? 48,815]

No way you could have drove there to get it for that! 

Very clean looking tractor PWL.

I had a 246H that was a great daily mower. 

[Stratman 27]

It was a pleasure dealing with Paul on the 257H Deal . His perseverance in securing a means of transport , gave me the inspiration to skid it up according to Fastenals (Blue Line)  regulations ! All in all a great experience . 
Thanks again and Have a BlesseDay !

Dan ~ 

[peter lena 8,625]

@PWL216  thank you for the story / reference , in todays world of consistent , dysfunction , on the simple list attempt to finish a problem , when it goes like it used to ,  its almost  a let down , from the frantic  you can't do that , type of  brain dead . thank you , Pete    

[ebinmaine 67,484]

27 minutes ago, Stratman said:

It was a pleasure dealing with Paul on the 257H Deal . His perseverance in securing a means of transport , gave me the inspiration to skid it up according to Fastenals (Blue Line)  regulations ! All in all a great experience . 
Thanks again and Have a BlesseDay !

Dan ~ 

 

Hey Dan. Thanks for doing that. Some folks wouldn't be prone to going to the extra effort that you needed to.

Mighty nice of you. 

[wh500special 2,179]

I've used the Fastenal 3PL service a few times to ship some outboard motors and tractors as big as a 520-8 and it has worked just as well for me.  It's quite cheap and if you're not committed to any specific schedule it's a great deal.

 

I have run into a couple of things:

1. Not all stores support the service.

2. Some stores that DO support the service have no idea that they do until you show up with your paperwork.

3. They don't want anything protruding beyond the footprint of the pallet. 

 

As a customer - whether you are the sender or recipient - I suggest you set your expectations to match the price you are paying for this service.  In other words, you need to take your own precautions to ensure your shipment is packaged appropriately to absorb any kind of handling damage that may result.  Fastenal is not a white glove concierge shipping service and they do this more as a courtesy and a way to keep from having empty trucks wandering the highways.  They aren't really equipped to handle your crate full of Faberge eggs with the same care that a more conventional shipper might.  And they charge appropriately.  if you - or the other party involved in your transaction - is particularly hard to please you should think this through before pulling the trigger.

 

That said, I have had NO TROUBLE with them nor have I heard of anyone having an issue, but after watching the last tractor I shipped get loaded onto a truck with a forklift that needed help picking up the skid I think they may have more potential to have a hard time than a more typical shipper.  This may be a function of the small, independent stores.  But the cost makes up for it.

 

Steve