New to Sod hauling, any tips?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Legion2-3Golf, May 6, 2015.

  1. Legion2-3Golf

    Legion2-3Golf Bobtail Member

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    May 5, 2015
    Casper, Wyoming
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    Just got some jobs this summer for sod hauling around the state. Was just looking for some tips and tricks for it.
     
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  3. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    Broomfield, CO
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    You won't just be driving, so I hope you don't mind a bit of ### busting labor. When running equipment on the sod field, try to stay in the pivot track of the sprinkler as much as possible.. if you must cross onto sod, do it at a diagonal angle to the edge of the cut, remember to water down the sod rolls routinely as they're on the truck, drive very carefully, as you're not going to be throwing straps and chains on sod, learn what you can now about operating both a regular forklift and a flatbed mounted forklift (you'll probably run something like a Donkey lift), get a full face shield, because the cutter blades need to be dressed with a grinder before each use, and it's likely to fall on you to do that. Remember to disconnect the pigtail from the lift before taking it off the trailer, be sure to unlatch the stops from the mounting bar, climb on, tilt the mast back, push the forks back, then lower.. better to learn this hands on than to try figuring it out by reading about it.
    Hope you're good at maneuvering a truck, because you're gonna be put into some ###### spots.. also, you need to use discretion... sure, the truck might fit, but will the lift?
    You'll learn how to stack your trailer.. e.g., maybe the first two customers orders will go on the right side, the next two on the left side, etc.
    By the way, don't plan on making a career out of it. It sucks, and the pay is normally crap.
     
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  4. Legion2-3Golf

    Legion2-3Golf Bobtail Member

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    May 5, 2015
    Casper, Wyoming
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    Yeah this is on the side job im getting, the company i work for lets me use the truck and forklift for whatever i need, as long as they get 30% of what i earn and i pay for the fuel. ive been running forklift for about 3 years now, but these back end moffit forklifts are a bit differant ive only ran it about 4 months now. This truck gets stuck way easyer than anyother truck ive had before, the forklift on the back sure doesnt help D= im charging for this first load, 260 for 144 miles. its a bit on the low end seeing ill only be getting 60-70 bucks out of it D=. But i thought i have to start some where on these extra jobs. Also if there is any other flat bed local work i should look out for? generally do i have to tarp these? and its just a normal flatbed trailer.
     
  5. Caterpillar Cowboy

    Caterpillar Cowboy Heavy Load Member

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    Wyoming
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    Most of the guys I see bringing sod into town have sort of a curtain van setup, only it's shorter in height for the sod pallets. They've all got one of those ride-a-long forklifts hanging off their flatbed. Or they are company rigs for local landscapers so they will have equipment on the end to unload them.
     
  6. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    Broomfield, CO
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    That seems like a really unusual arrangement. Is this just a regular flatbed? If you don't at least have sides, it's not going to bode very well for you.. the sod pallets generally aren't secured.. you'll stack them towards the front, ensuring that the final delivery is the most forward, and the sod rolls just lay on the pallet.. they're not wrapped or anything. You can't throw straps across them, because it'll break the sod roles. The typical sod setup is a flatbed with roll up curtain sides (either manual or electric).
     
  7. MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Lots of sod around here and its rarely hauled on anything but flatbeds. When I haul it I throw 2 straps on the front and rear pallets and 1 on every row in between. Snug them down but don't get carried away. Unless you're going a real short distance most guys require you to use sod tarps. They are easy to use because they don't catch the wind. The reason they are required is because if youre going a long distance the top and sides get to dryed out without them.

    Head boards on the trailer are nice but not necessary. Its real important to get the loaders to get the pallets nice and tight with each other.
     
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  8. Legion2-3Golf

    Legion2-3Golf Bobtail Member

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    May 5, 2015
    Casper, Wyoming
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    ill have to get some more tarps, i don't think i have enough atm. and i have a headache rack on the trailer at least so that should help
     
  9. allan5oh

    allan5oh Road Train Member

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    My tip is to keep the dirt side down. Wait a minute, that won't work...
     
  10. Legion2-3Golf

    Legion2-3Golf Bobtail Member

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    May 5, 2015
    Casper, Wyoming
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    Hauled it the other day, went pretty well. It was pretty much how MJ1657 said. They stack it so you can put a strap on it and it wont mess the sod up. He faced the top layer of sod, flat and facing in so its kind of angled to the center and puts one roll of sod on top that you put a strap over. Worked pretty good. The only hiccup I had was the #### tarps, I bought the cheap blue ones and that's a no go. the rear most tarp got tore up pretty bad but i had it on pretty good so all it did was flap a little. The farmer was still cutting it when I got there and we both loaded it up and off I went. If i get more bids from this guy i may have to buy a nice sod tarp =(
     
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