Shipping a Used John Deere 310L

We recently completed a full-cycle international shipment of a used John Deere 310L backhoe loader from the United States to Durban, South Africa. The unit was purchased by our client — a construction contractor based near Johannesburg — from a private individual in rural Iowa. The machine had been used on a farm and was sold in functional, but not refurbished, condition.

The client was expanding their fleet for small- to mid-scale infrastructure projects, including municipal road maintenance and rural land development. The John Deere 310L was selected for its versatility, reliable performance, and good availability of spare parts in South Africa.

Key specs of the machine:

• Operating weight: ~14,669 lbs (6,654 kg)

• Engine: 93 hp (69 kW)

• Digging depth: up to 14 ft (4.3 m)

• Transport size: approx. 23 ft (L) x 7 ft (W) x 11 ft (H)

We coordinated equipment pickup with a step-deck trailer, working directly with the private seller to inspect and secure the machine for transport. The backhoe was moved to the Port of Savannah, Georgia, chosen for its high frequency of RoRo vessels to Africa and efficient customs operations.

The machine was shipped via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) service — the safest and most economical method for transporting self-propelled machinery. Transit time from Savannah to Durban was approximately 24–28 days port-to-port.

Upon arrival, our South African agent facilitated customs clearance and documentation for local compliance. The client arranged final transport from the Port of Durban to their equipment yard, where the backhoe was immediately prepped for work.

This project illustrates our ability to handle complex international shipments — even when equipment is purchased from private parties in remote locations — with full transparency, reliability, and client support from start to finish.