When creating consignments, the equipment associated can be recorded upon consignment creation.

As below when creating a consignment, the quantity of equipment types can be recorded as highlighted below for relevant equipment types.

This can be made a requirement on entry for Freight Items associated with your equipment, 

Freight Items associated with equipment can be configured (Settings>Lists and Zones>Equipment Type List) here.

For this to be required on Consignment Creation this can be enabled in your Global Consignment Creation rules (Settings>General>Global Setup in the Consignment Related Rules tab) here.