Prepare for Landing: Tips for a Smooth Freight Delivery

Receiving large shipments like Caterpillar Tunnels or silage tarps from Farmers Friend is an exciting step for your farm. This guide is designed to help you understand the freight delivery process, what to expect upon arrival, and how to prepare for a smooth and efficient unloading. With the right knowledge and preparation, you’ll be ready to receive your shipment confidently and get back to what you do best—farming.

Delivery Method

Our various Tunnels and other large products are shipped on a 4x8 wooden pallet via motor freight (an 18 wheel tractor trailer). Depending on the order, sometimes multiple tunnels can fit on one pallet. Below is an example of what a past shipment looked like.

Delivery Time

You will receive a pro number for tracking from Farmers Friend when your shipment is picked up from our facility. It is recommended that you contact the carrier prior to delivery to make arrangements for time and date. There is some flexibility in date and time of delivery, but customers in remote areas should accept delivery at the carriers convenience to avoid excessive delays or extra charges.

Change of Shipping Address

If a change of shipping address needs to be made before your order is picked up from our facility, no problem. However, if this change is made after your order is picked up from Farmers Friend, there will be a reconsignment fee which generally is around $100. Charges are determined by the carrier.

Verifying Contents

Prior to moving or unloading, please take pictures of the order. This is in case items are missing or damaged we have a way to verify contents and condition. We recommend conducting an inventory of the shipment with your included packing list as soon as possible after unloading.

Unloading

As far as unload­ing, it is the cus­tomer’s respon­si­bil­i­ty. The car­ri­er will not have a fork­lift to unload. A fork­lift or trac­tor with forks works well but is not required, as the ship­ment can be unloaded by hand with two peo­ple. Simply cut and remove any bands or pack­ag­ing. The indi­vid­u­als unload­ing should be capa­ble of team-lift­ing 130 pounds. Out of con­sid­er­a­tion for the car­ri­er, we request you pre­pare to unload as quick­ly as possible.

Farmers Friend does not schedule any shipments with lift­gate ser­vices, and they are not includ­ed in any ship­ping charges, nor is it includ­ed with free ship­ping. If the local ter­mi­nal or dri­ver offers lift gate ser­vices, Please note that there will be an addi­tion­al charge billed to you from Farmers Friend of $150.

Each pallet will not exceed 3000 pounds. Below are some estimated example weights:

Damage

In the event of your shipment being visibly damaged, we recommend both the driver and you taking pictures. The driver should also note the damage on the Bill of Lading (BOL) and you should send pictures to Farmers Friend. If the damage is excessive (obvious multiple items missing/damaged, pallet has been re-packaged) please refuse the shipment and contact Farmers Friend. We will arrange for a replacement order to be shipped via a different carrier. If there are only a few items damaged/missing, please accept the shipment and Farmers Friend will gladly make arrangements for quick replacement.

What can delay my shipment and/or create extra charges?

Can a truck with a 53’ trailer (semi) safely drive into and out of my area/street/driveway without backing? If a carrier with a large truck can’t navigate the area/driveway there are other options:

• Smaller truck (additional fee applies). Fee is typically $500-$800 above regular shipping charges.
• Deliver to a business in the area that has a dock (reconsignment fee only applies if order is already shipped)
• Deliver to a business in the area that the carrier can safely allow for hand unloading (parking lot, gas station…) (Reconsignment fee only applies if order has already shipped)
• We can set the order for “Will Call” and deliver to a terminal for you to pick up at a scheduled time.

Island deliveries: Many carriers will apply a “Limited Access Fee” to an area that requires a ferry to access or has only 1-2 roads into/out of an area. Other options:

• You can choose to pay the additional cost for your order to be delivered by the carrier.
• We can set the order for “Will Call” and deliver to a terminal for you to pick up at a scheduled time. (Reconsignment fee only applies if order has already shipped)

1. My tractor will only lift _?_ lbs.
   • This could create the need for more than the standard amount of pallets to build the order. This will mean more material, handling, and space on the truck. The fees involved can be discussed with Customer Service as needed.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, please contact Farmers Friend Customer Service at 931-583-0397 or support@farmersfriend.com.