Tips to Send an Engine

The key to a successful engine delivery is knowing how to prepare, contain and secure the engine correctly.

If an engine is not packaged properly, it may be refused for collection or handling and there is a much greater risk of damage during transit.

Used engines must be transported within a suitable and sufficient crate, stillage or purpose-designed transport frame.

Engines presented on pallets alone will not be accepted for carriage.

Follow the guidance below to help prepare your engine safely and avoid unnecessary delays.

Secure Your Engine for Delivery

New and used engines can be heavy, valuable and difficult to handle, so suitable packaging and containment are essential.

Used engines must be housed within a robust crate, stillage or purpose-designed transport frame capable of safely supporting the engine’s weight.

The containment must:

• Be suitable for the engine’s weight and dimensions
• Be strong enough to withstand normal handling and transportation
• Prevent the engine from moving during transit
• Be suitable for safe forklift handling
• Protect the engine and surrounding freight from damage

The engine must be positively secured within the crate, stillage or frame so that it cannot slide, shift or tip during handling.

Depending on the design, suitable securing methods may include heavy-duty restraints, bolts, brackets, steel banding, secure mounting points, timber blocks or other suitable engineered supports.

Rope, tape, stretch wrap and shrink wrap must not be used as the primary means of securing the engine.

Drain All Fluids

Before collection, all engine oil, fuel and coolant must be completely removed.

Allow sufficient time after draining for any remaining liquid to escape. Even small amounts of residual fluid can create contamination and safety risks during handling and transit.

Once drained, clean excess oil, grease and debris from the outside of the engine.

All ports and openings should be securely sealed using suitable threaded plugs, caps or other appropriate materials.

Oil-absorbent pads, a drip tray or another suitable leak-containment measure should also be incorporated within the crate, stillage or transport frame to capture any residual leakage.

Protect and Pack the Engine Correctly

Before collection, protect vulnerable or exposed components such as sensors, wiring looms, pulleys, turbo inlets and other delicate parts using suitable protective materials.

Stretch wrap or shrink wrap may be used as additional protective packaging where appropriate, but it must not be relied upon as the primary method of securing the engine.

The engine must remain securely contained within its crate, stillage or purpose-designed transport frame throughout transit.

Before collection, check that the complete shipment is stable, adequately constructed and suitable for safe forklift handling.

Label the Shipment

Attach all required shipping labels securely to the outside of the crate, stillage or transport frame in clearly visible positions.

Additional markings such as “This Way Up”, “Heavy”, “Fragile” or “Engine – Keep Upright" are not mandatory, but may assist with safe handling throughout the network.

Final Thoughts

Before booking your engine delivery, make sure all oil, fuel and coolant have been completely drained, all openings are securely sealed, vulnerable components are protected and the engine is securely contained within a suitable crate, stillage or purpose-designed transport frame.

The engine must not be able to move within its containment, and the complete shipment must be stable and suitable for safe forklift handling.

Important: Engines that do not meet these packaging and securing requirements may be refused for collection, rejected at the depot or held until corrective action has been taken.

Once everything has been prepared correctly, you can arrange your engine delivery with PalletOnline.

For more details regarding sending an engine via a pallet delivery, please get in touch with us directly. 

Alternatively, head over to our Help Centre for more expert advice and top tips!