Estimating Heavy haul prices

I've been trying to figure out how much it costs to haul these big machines. Last summer I sent a RFQ to a heavy haul company. I think it was heavyhaul.com , not really sure now. The request was to haul a CAT D6 9U, 160 miles. First quote was for $800, second quote was for $600, $400, and then $200. All the quotes were from the same company. I explained in the RFQ that I did not own the machine , I wanted an estimate so I would know what kind of offer I should make to the seller. The CAT sold before I could make a deal. Then I kept getting emails from HeavyHaul, please send us the exact address, our drivers are ready, we need to schedule this .....etc. I would reply that I did not purchase the machine. This happened at least 3 times, each email was from a different person but, from the same company (HH).
So my question is: Is there a way for me to estimate shipping costs? $2.00 per mile? per pound of equipment loaded? I really don't like going through the RFQ process or is what I need to do for each machine I'm interested in.

I retired 10 years ago now but when moving my heaviest piece that weighed 55,000lbs. I would hire local contractor with 3 axle detatchable gooseneck lowboy. It was all short hauls not more than 50 loaded miles so they charged $95 per hr.. That rate was from the time truck left the yard till it was back in their yard. They were however great to work with and would try to do my move when truck was moving some of their stuff near where my machine was to save me money and their time.

re: the 'pestering emails'... simple 'cure' is to give them the address of the local town haul or cop shop ! Say you should be there at 9 AM waiting for them. Of course you never show. They do and get into a whack of traffic and trouble. I have ZERO tolerance for multiple emails, phone calls ,etc. I'm polite the first time, after that it's game on.
I've NOT bought Orange as the shipping costs were greater than the purchase price !...sigh...

Jay

They also have to wear the correct shoes. How about that? Leon R  Cmo

In case anyone is curious, I emailed another heavy haul company to ask whether or not it would be more economical to remove the 10 foot blade for transport or just pay the permit costs and leave the blade on.
I got a one sentence reply:
 "I can have your TD15B picked up and delivered for $1,476.43."

That would be to transport 150 miles, majority of the route is Interstate highway.
Thats just under $10.00 per mile. I assume a portion of that cost is for permits.

Dozer wrote: I would be happy to pay $2.50 per load mile. My last experience was 2 years ago when I sold my HD6G. The buyer found an online freight broker to hall the machine 103 miles. He paid $1,200 The driver told me his company got $600 for my pickup and he had another machine on the trailer. A quote last month was $3.80 per load mile. New York state local haulers have gone out of business because of EPA regulations. Construction businesses have insurance that only cover them for a 50 mile radius. You have to clean the machine before transport. If you drop any dirt the state police ticket the driver for insecure load. I wonder why business is not thriving. Archie Bunker

Just call me! I'd of done it about 1/3 of that or less Jim.!!!.....

Thats what I was guessing, about $400.00.+
Maybe they didn't have a truck in the state and charged a dead-head fee. I don't know.