Shipping and Logistics: Getting Your Drivetrain Components to HDT
When you’re sending an axle, differential carrier, transmission, or loose drivetrain parts to Heavy Duty Transaxle for rebuild, core return, warranty evaluation, or service exchange, how the unit is packaged matters as much as what’s inside the crate. Heavy industrial drivetrain components are dense, awkwardly shaped, and unforgiving when handled poorly. A cracked housing, bent yoke, or broken gear set caused by shifting freight can turn a routine rebuild into a damage claim and a delayed return to service.
This page is a central resource for our customers, freight forwarders, and field technicians who need to ship components to HDT or who are coordinating outbound shipments from our facility. Below you’ll find packaging guides for each of the major component types we handle, along with a request form for HDT to arrange pickup directly through our LTL carrier network.
Request a PickupWHY PROPER PACKAGING MATTERS
LTL freight is a high-volume, high-handling environment. A single pallet may be loaded, unloaded, and transferred between trailers four or five times before it reaches its destination. Forklifts, dock plates, and other freight all share the same space. Components that aren’t strapped, blocked, and wrapped correctly are the ones that arrive damaged.
Following a consistent packaging standard does three things: it protects the component, it reduces the risk of carrier damage claims (which are slow, expensive, and frequently denied), and it keeps your service timeline on track. A unit that arrives in good condition starts teardown the day it lands. A unit that arrives damaged sits in receiving while photos, claims, and replacement parts get sorted out.
PACKING GUIDES BY COMPONENT
We’ve put together a packaging guide for each of the four most common component categories we ship and receive. Each guide covers pallet selection, positioning, strapping, blocking, and wrapping, with notes specific to the geometry and weight distribution of that component type.
Axle Assembly Packaging Guide
Complete axle assemblies, including planetary rigid axles, steer axles, and tandem assemblies. Covers handling for full-length axles, wheel end protection, and managing overhang on standard pallets.
Differential Carrier Packaging Guide
Differential carriers, ring and pinion assemblies, and complete carrier units. Covers stabilizing irregular carrier geometry, protecting input yokes and gear teeth, and centering for forklift handling. View instructions
Transmission Packaging Guide
Highway and off-highway transmissions, including Fuller, Spicer, and similar units. Covers orientation for oil retention, input shaft protection, and securing heavy cases against pallet shift.
Loose Parts and Generic Load Packaging Guide
Hardware, gear sets, brake components, planetary parts, and other loose drivetrain inventory. Covers containment, labeling, and palletizing mixed loads safely.
Need HDT to Arrange Pickup?
If you’d rather have our logistics team handle the LTL carrier selection and pickup scheduling, submit the form below. We’ll follow up with pickup details, typically within one business day.
QUESTIONS?
For questions about packaging, freight quotes, or scheduling, contact our logistics team directly at shipping@hdtransaxle.com or call (888) 383-3301. If you’re an existing rebuild or Fast Track customer, your account manager can also coordinate logistics on your behalf.