What about skid crates?

Skid crates are modeled as their outer bounding box with an allowance for packing material between machine and frame.

Can closed crates carry stack limits?

Yes. Fragile level, keep-upright and maximum stack count are per-SKU constraints the optimizer enforces.

Does it check axle load and center of gravity?

Every plan reports front/rear axle split and CG position against carrier windows. Enterprise plans support custom thresholds.

My machine is 4.8 m tall. Can it still be planned?

Only in open-top or flat-rack equipment. MachLoad flags door-height conflicts immediately so you can switch equipment type early.

Can I use my carrier's exact container spec?

Yes. Override internal dimensions, door size and weight limits per container if your carrier's spec sheet differs from defaults.

Which container types are supported?

20GP, 40GP, 40HQ and 45HQ by default, plus custom equipment with your own dimensions.

Can the plan be shared with the loading yard?

Yes. Every plan has a share link and an exportable PDF the yard crew can follow step by step.

Solutions

Ship whole machines without the door-end surprise

Naked frames, skid crates or closed crates - each packaging form needs different loading logic. MachLoad plans all three with center-of-gravity checks that keep carriers happy.

Try the free calculator From $19/mo, no card required

200+

exporters onboard

Avg +18%

space utilization

IPPC

ready checks

verified plans

The problem

Why generic calculators fail on machinery

Heavy units break the 60% rule

One 16-tonne machine against the front wall violates axle windows. The container gets flagged at the terminal and waits for a restow.

Skid crates are not boxes

Angle-steel frames add 60-120 mm to every dimension. Planning the inner machine size leaves no room for the frame or the rubber packing.

Closed crates hide fragile rules

Hydraulic parts and control cabinets in closed crates need independent restraint, not foam optimism. Stack two heavy crates on one and the contents arrive damaged.

Lashing points are improvised

Without marked anchor positions on the plan, the crew welds and lashes wherever it is convenient - and the surveyor argues with them.

Three packaging forms

Each form gets its own loading logic

Naked

CG heat map and lashing-point annotation

Placed directly on the container floor. The plan centers the load and annotates lashing points so the crew knows exactly where to secure.

Skid crate

Outer-box dimensions with gap compensation

Angle-steel frames add bulk. The plan uses the outer bounding box with an allowance for rubber or hardboard packing between machine and frame.

Closed crate

Fragile level, keep-upright, stack limits

Independent restraint inside the crate matters more than filling. Fragile level, keep-upright and stack limits are enforced per crate.

What you get

Built for irregular, heavy and fragile cargo

CG heat map and lashing annotations

Naked units are placed on the floor with CG position and suggested lashing points, so the crew knows exactly where to secure.

Skid crates with gap compensation

Outer bounding boxes plus clearance for rubber or hardboard packing between machine and frame - the frame is part of the plan, not an afterthought.

Closed crates with stack discipline

Fragile level, keep-upright and stack limits per crate. Heavy crates never land on precision ones.

Axle windows per carrier

Front 30-50%, rear 50-70% by default, and custom thresholds on Enterprise. The plan passes the weighbridge the first time.

Door aperture verification

Every unit is checked against the 2,340 x 2,578 mm door, tilted entry included, before it is placed.

Surveyor-ready PDF

CG values, axle split, lashing points and compliance items on one page - the survey conversation gets much shorter.

How it works

Select container, add cargo, get plan

1
Select container
20GP, 40GP, 40HQ or a custom box your carrier supplies. Door apertures and load limits come with it.
2
Add cargo
Pick from your cargo library or import from Excel. Dimensions, orientations and stack limits are per-SKU.
3
Get plan
3D layout, utilization, center of gravity, axle split, compliance checklist and an export-ready PDF.

Real shipment

Real shipment: 62% to 79% utilization

A machinery exporter shipping whole machines and crates in a 40HQ.

Heavy machines staged nose-first pushed the CG out of range and the plan was rejected at the weighbridge. Re-sequencing the load - heaviest units toward the center, crates filling the ends - brought utilization from 62% to 79% and the axle split back inside carrier windows, without a restow.

62% -> 79%

Space utilization

within windows

Axle split

Restows

Honest comparison

How we compare

Aspect	Generic free tools	MachLoad	Manual experience
CG / axle validation	Not available	Every plan, before loading	Discovered at the weighbridge
Three packaging forms	One box model	Naked / skid / crate logic each	Experience-dependent
Lashing points	None	Marked on the plan and PDF	Improvised on site
Door aperture check	Interior only	Interior + door + tilt	Found out at door end
Plan documentation	None	PDF with CG, axle, lashing	Verbal instructions

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Naked cargo is placed directly on the floor with CG and axle impact computed, plus suggested lashing points for the crew.

From $19/mo

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