Our biggest concern at Knichel is for your product to arrive in perfect condition, so as not to inconvenience you or your customers with unloading problems. Here’s a suggestion for how to ensure your shipments arrive safely.

Blocking and Bracing Your Product

Quite often, a $20 to $30 blocking and bracing solution can prevent a $150 driver unload fee, detention charges and – most importantly – damage to your product.

We would like to suggest following the Association of American Railroads (AAR) blocking and bracing manual when shipping intermodal. We know that you have been moving your product for many years, and we’re sure that you know the safest and most damage-free way to load, block and brace.

Following AAR regulations, however, allows us to file claims with the railroad in the unlikely event of damage – and without proper blocking and bracing, the railroads will automatically deny any claim presented. (In the case of over the road shipments, there is also a need to block and brace, but not usually to the same extent as with intermodal shipping.)

Click here for diagrams illustrating Maximum Lading Capacity and Product Weights, as well as some blocking and bracing suggestions.

If you have any questions regarding blocking and bracing, download this brochure or please contact Jon Krystek at 724-449-3300 ext. 234 or via email for intermodal claims and Terry Rosky at 724-449-3300 ext. 247 or via email for over the road claims.