NMFC Class 85 covers freight with a density between 12 and 13.5 pounds per cubic foot — the lower boundary of the medium freight class range. At this density, shipments are substantively heavy but begin to consume meaningful trailer cube relative to their weight, which is reflected in a moderately higher rate than the lower classes. Class 85 freight spans heavy industrial goods and finished manufactured products. Crated machinery, cast iron stoves, large power tools, and industrial pumps are typical examples — items that are solid and heavy but packaged in containers that leave some air space around the product. Solar panels represent a newer addition to this density range, typically shipped in foam-lined crates that add bulk without adding proportional weight. Handling for Class 85 freight is generally forklift-dependent. The combination of dense product and substantial crate or pallet dimensions means that few Class 85 items can be hand-moved safely. This is not an unusual challenge for carriers, but it does require dock-to-dock service with forklift access at both origin and destination. For shippers, Class 85 often represents a transition point. Goods that can be repackaged more compactly — eliminating excess foam or crate void space — may shift density above 13.5 lbs/cu ft and qualify for Class 77.5. This kind of packaging optimization is worth analyzing for high-volume shippers; even a single class reduction generates meaningful savings at scale.
Crated machinery and cast iron goods require forklift handling; some crates with low-clearance designs may need specialized lift equipment. Center-of-gravity marking on heavy crates reduces tip-over risk during transit.
Stowability: Most Class 85 freight is rectangular and palletizable, mixing well in trailers. Irregular crate profiles for machinery may leave void space that carriers cannot fill with other freight, contributing to slightly higher rates.
Industrial machinery and equipment carry moderate-to-high replacement value; damage claims can be costly. Cast iron goods are heavy enough that drops cause significant damage both to the item and to adjacent freight.
Class 85 applies to freight with a density between 12 and 13.5 pounds per cubic foot. Below 12 lbs/cu ft, freight moves to Class 92.5; above 13.5 lbs/cu ft, it qualifies for Class 77.5.
Industrial crates add dimensions that reduce overall density. The crate lumber, foam padding, and empty space inside the crate all add to the cubic measurement without adding meaningful weight. A machine that would be denser if measured bare may calculate at Class 85 once fully crated.
Solar panel classification varies by manufacturer and crate configuration. Standard residential panels in protective foam crates commonly calculate in the Class 85 range, but heavier commercial panels or densely packed pallets of multiple panels may fall into Class 77.5 or lower.
The most direct approach is reducing packaging void space to increase density above 13.5 lbs/cu ft, which would shift the shipment to Class 77.5. If repackaging is not practical, negotiating carrier-specific class-based discounts or using freight class-based pricing agreements with high-volume carriers may provide savings.