Crate spec ticket
| Inside dimensions | L x W x H of the set with radiator and exhaust fitted |
|---|---|
| Gross weight | Set plus crate, in pounds |
| Base | Skid with runners sized to the frame |
| Hold-down | Lag bolts or bolt-down plates at each frame foot |
| Fluids | State whether fuel and oil are drained |
| Destination | Country, for lumber stamping |
How a generator is fixed to the skid
A generator set already has a steel base frame, and that frame is what we build the crate around. The frame feet are drilled for mounting, so the set goes down on a heavy wood skid and is lag bolted through those holes into the skid's top boards. Where the holes do not line up with the skid members, we add cross bearers under the feet so every bolt bites solid wood.
Never rely on friction or straps alone for a set this heavy. A diesel engine and alternator sit high on a short footprint, and a hard stop in transit puts a sideways load on the feet. Bolting the frame down, then adding blocking and bracing on all four sides at the base, keeps the set from walking on the skid.
What gets drained, removed or protected
Fuel is the first question. A set with fuel in the tank is treated differently from one that is empty, so tell us which you have. Fuel-containing equipment is regulated under 49 CFR for ground and sea moves and under IATA dangerous goods rules for air cargo, so the carrier will ask. We recommend shipping the tank empty wherever the set allows it.
Batteries come out. They are packed and labelled separately, because a connected battery can short against the frame or leak onto the alternator windings. Oil and coolant levels depend on the carrier and the route; the sump is drained or sealed per the manufacturer's shipping notes, and breather openings are plugged so nothing seeps into the crate.
- Fuel tank emptied, fill cap and vent sealed
- Battery disconnected, removed and crated alongside
- Radiator and exhaust stack braced or removed if they stand proud of the frame
- Air intake and exhaust outlets capped against dust and water
- Control panel covered and its door latched or taped
Fragile points on a generator set
The alternator end is the delicate one. Its terminal box, cooling fins and any exposed bearing housing need foam or wood guards, and nothing in the crate is allowed to bear on them. The radiator core is the other soft spot, because a single push from a loose timber folds its fins and starts a leak.
Gauges, control modules and sensor wiring sit on the panel or along the engine block. We fold wiring back against the frame with ties, pad the panel face with foam, and keep timber off the front of it. If the panel is detachable, take it off and crate it in a compartment of its own.
Matching construction to the route
For domestic truck moves, an open skid-base crate with a top frame and side rails is usually enough, since the set is rugged and tarped by the carrier. For ocean freight, we close in the sides with sheathing and a lid so spray and condensation stay out. Read more on the [skid-base crate](/crates/types/skid-base) and, when walls are needed, the [sheathed crate](/crates/types/sheathed).
Air freight changes the maths. Dimensional weight and uplift limits matter more than ruggedness, so the crate is kept as low and tight as the set allows. A generator over a certain size may not go by air at all, which is worth settling before we build.
Moisture and shock protection
Bare steel, copper and the alternator windings all suffer in a humid container. We wrap the set in a barrier bag sealed around the frame, with desiccant inside sized to the cube of air it encloses, and VCI emitter or film on the unpainted metal. The [rust-prevention guide](/guides/rust-prevention-vci) explains how VCI works and where it fails.
A tip indicator and a shock indicator go on the outside of the crate where the handler can see them. They do not stop a rough move, but they record one, which helps in a damage claim.
Lift points and markings
A set is lifted by its own lifting eyes or by forks under the skid, never by the exhaust or the radiator. We mark the fork entry sides on the skid and label the sling points on the crate. The centre-of-gravity mark goes on two adjacent sides, because on a generator it sits well off the geometric middle toward the engine.
ISO 780 pictograms (this way up, fragile, keep dry, sling here) are stencilled on the sheathing. The [crate markings guide](/guides/crate-markings) lists the symbols we use and where each one goes.
Questions buyers ask
Does the fuel tank have to be empty to ship a generator?
Not always, but an empty tank removes most of the rules. Fuel-containing equipment falls under 49 CFR and, by air, IATA dangerous goods rules, so tell us what is in the set when you ask for a quote.
Can a generator ship on its own skid without a crate?
For a short domestic truck move it can, if it is bolted down and protected. For export or sea freight the set needs a crate with a lid and stamped lumber.
What do you need to quote a generator crate?
The set's inside dimensions L x W x H in inches, its gross weight in pounds, the destination country, the quantity and the date you need it.
Do the crates need an IPPC stamp?
Wood packaging going abroad usually does. Check the destination country's plant-protection authority and APHIS; we stamp lumber to match what you tell us.