Grain Hauling Companies of Illinois - General Topic - Page 2 - Truckers' Trucking Forum

Burky · **^ Top** #11 01.20.2007

We have the lifts at quite a few of the places, though they aren't as common at newer ones. Most grain trucks here in Mich are either dumps or hoppers, so the old days of a flatbed set up with a grain gate is becoming a rarity. I was never a big fan of putting a truck up on a hoist anyhow.

Only warning to go with doing this is don't look up at the raised dump trailer when the clouds are moving by. You'll swear that it is going to come over on you.

Depending on the setup and the empty weight, we can put up to 110,000 (about 2000 bushels) of grain in a trailer here in Michigan. I was trying to explain it to a female employee of ours one time and finally explained it to her like this "That truck can hold enough grain to equal the fully loaded weight of one of our trucks and trailers, ---- Pause---- Plus a spare tractor, ---- pause ---- Plus a spare empty trailer."

TopFlights · **^ Top** #12 01.20.2007

LOL , yeah i know what ya mean , i pull the 53' dump were the hydraulic lift pole pushes the front of the trailer up while hydraulic arms push the center making the first axle on the rear of the trailer come off the ground about 3 feet and carefully allowing the tractor to roll backwards as it pushes the trailer in the air.

kc8vje · **^ Top** #13 01.20.2007

This all seems to be the same as what we do down here in Kentucky with coal. A few years ago, we were able to haul as much as we could put on the trailer. There has been several times I've tipped the scales at the plant (225,000 Pounds).

Now, they limit us to 126,000 pounds. We use similar trailers, although not very many 53' dumps, mostly 38/40 tri axle dumps.

I'm trying to get away from the coalfields due to a severe work shortage. I've applied to a few OTR places with little success. It seems that Coal hauling, albeit more dangerous and requires more skill (like grain hauling) doesn't qualify as truck driving experience. Stooopid ain't it????

notarps4me · **^ Top** #14 01.20.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc8vje

This all seems to be the same as what we do down here in Kentucky with coal. A few years ago, we were able to haul as much as we could put on the trailer. There has been several times I've tipped the scales at the plant (225,000 Pounds).

Now, they limit us to 126,000 pounds. We use similar trailers, although not very many 53' dumps, mostly 38/40 tri axle dumps.

I'm trying to get away from the coalfields due to a severe work shortage. I've applied to a few OTR places with little success. It seems that Coal hauling, albeit more dangerous and requires more skill (like grain hauling) doesn't qualify as truck driving experience. Stooopid ain't it????

Yeah; that is the point that I try to make and sometimes people question it. No recent OTR, not a recent Grad and it gets tough to find a good driving job. Times have changed. We have the insurance companies to thank for that.

kc8vje · **^ Top** #15 01.20.2007

Yeah Really......

I haven't had this much trouble finding a job in forever.

Every company here says the same thing. "Well, I'd hire you in a heartbeat, but I'm getting ready to lay off a bunch of my drivers. Try back in a couple of months". Then you call the OTR recruiters and they say, "was this recent OTR experience?", which, of course is, Um... no. They always have some excuse not to hire for lack of "driving experience" The sad thing is, I have 7+ years safe driving under my belt with a spotless MVR, and yet, I'm as untouchable as the people you see on here with bad accidents and terrible MVR's.

I have this local O/O that has an open truck, but he's telling me he can't hire me till February because freight is so slow. Go Figure..........

I think I'm gonna become a professional bum!!! WHO'S WITH ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

notarps4me · **^ Top** #16 01.20.2007

I know what you mean. Times have changed, some people think as long as you have a CDL you are good to go. If your not of the two that I mentioned before you might be in for a up hill battle. About the only way around it is a refresher course. I wish you well, good luck!

TopFlights · **^ Top** #17 01.20.2007

I look in the paper and all i see are wanted driver ad's mostly local and 30% OTR ,Obtaining that c.d.l does secure your future in someway or another.Please don't say that it does not.

Depending on what kind of money you settle for is the question (example)-There are sanatation companys,septic tank suckers pit suckers,grain hauling, straight trucking jobs,soda,snacks,furniture,autoparts a whole whole bunch!!! And people in those professions need drivers.

Heres a hint for motivation.......Pick up the phone book and flip through the yellow plages calling places that would need a driver with a c.d.l , even tho they haven't placed an ad in the paper , you will be AMAZED at a better direction of getting a job driving can be calling random places out of the phone book and simply asking if they are doing any hiring for a driver position.It takes a little time and patience but it will turn up a job.

notarps4me · **^ Top** #18 01.20.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopFlights

I look in the paper and all i see are wanted driver ad's mostly local and 30% OTR ,Obtaining that c.d.l does secure your future in someway or another.Please don't say that it does not.

Depending on what kind of money you settle for is the question (example)-There are sanatation companys,septic tank suckers pit suckers,grain hauling, straight trucking jobs,soda,snacks,furniture,autoparts a whole whole bunch!!! And people in those professions need drivers.

Heres a hint for motivation.......Pick up the phone book and flip through the yellow plages calling places that would need a driver with a c.d.l , even tho they haven't placed an ad in the paper , you will be AMAZED at a better direction of getting a job driving can be calling random places out of the phone book and simply asking if they are doing any hiring for a driver position.It takes a little time and patience but it will turn up a job.

This is true, but even the last local I had they hauled septic tanks, pipe , cement barriers, etc. They had straight trucks, semi's, cement mixers, dump trucks, tri axes, dump trailers, tankers, etc. Only one catch; no fresh CDL's had to have 2 years recent to get on with them. Reason; insurance requirement. You all think I am barking up a tree here. Times have changed. Call all them ads. Tell me what their requirements are. A CDL is a future job ticket, with recent exp. or fresh grad. There are companies that will hire otherwise, but how much are they paying? Would you drive a truck for $9.00 per hour?

Brickman · **^ Top** #19 01.20.2007

Interesting topic as I am seriously considering a move to grain hauling. Been looking around for a couple months.
I really want some thing with more home time. I enjoy working with Landstar and don't have very many complaints except they don't have much or high enough paying flatbed freight out of my home area. Because of that I tend to stay out a couple weeks before I go home because its so difficult to find outbound freight. If there was out bound freight I could manage to be home weekly or 10 days.

Brickman · **^ Top** #20 01.20.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc8vje

This all seems to be the same as what we do down here in Kentucky with coal. A few years ago, we were able to haul as much as we could put on the trailer. There has been several times I've tipped the scales at the plant (225,000 Pounds).

Now, they limit us to 126,000 pounds. We use similar trailers, although not very many 53' dumps, mostly 38/40 tri axle dumps.

I'm trying to get away from the coalfields due to a severe work shortage. I've applied to a few OTR places with little success. It seems that Coal hauling, albeit more dangerous and requires more skill (like grain hauling) doesn't qualify as truck driving experience. Stooopid ain't it????

A coal bucket isn't loaded until one of two things happen.

1. coal is running over the sides
2. the tires look about half flat even tho 110 PSI

I used to live in KY, (15 yrs) and my wife and I both still have relatives in eastern KY.

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