e.g. a CAT D8T bulldozer weighs in at over 80,000lbs all on its own and they are often trucked around as a complete unit, so you're looking at 20-35,000 more for the trailer and tractor to haul it. Heavier pieces of equipment like D9's (108,000#) or D10's (145,000#) are generally 2-3 loads of chassis/tracks/blade&attachments.
Apparently the highway patrol would camp out in the industrial/shipping areas and watch for compressed suspensions/bulging tire sidewalls on big trucks as a monthly fundraising exercise.
Obviously there's a business incentive to move as much as you possibly can at once...
I am unhappy with this description. An overloaded truck is a safety issue, and also a long term road-wear issue.
Sure, except this fundraising didn't stop the activity. It just took a cut from the profits, and the vehicles drove off AIUI. This was Illinois in the late 80s-early 90s I'm talking about...
Some states have higher weight limits when the ground is frozen.