Tanker - drivers loading / unloading responsibilities

The few times I've self loaded have been similar:
Check in with security (if there is any)
Pull up to Rack
Double Check to make sure I'm lined up
Chock Wheels
Double check all valves are closed before I start loading
Open Dome Lid
Put Fill Line inside tank, secured to the dome portal with chain (some of them kick like you wouldn't believe)
Call up control room, give them tank/truck/customer info (if its truly self service I just double check everything once more to make sure I'm at the right place getting the right product)
Once it's done loading, unhook and secure dome lid, put seals on. Get paperwork from control room or what have you. The places I've self loaded did not have scales and it was all local deliveries sub 100k gross (but definitely over 80k lol)

 

I realize that chemicals as diesel fuel, gasoline, helium, liquid oxygen, nitrogen, and solvents as paint thinner and turpentine can be very dangerous to haul and work with.

How dangerous is it to haul and work with food grade products as fructose corn syrup, juice, milk, and wine?

 

Might get a little sticky I guess....... Probably the most dangerous part is the smooth bore tanks.

 

I've never pulled a haz mat tanker load. Just hauled lubricants like motor oil and hydraulic fluid. Now I'm on a dedicated route from Texas to Fargo hauling a product called flow improver that they use in pipelines. The surge you will get used to. How many sealed preloaded vans have you hauled and had a pallet or three to restack due to shoddy loading and/or spring ride trailers? The surge of liquid in a smooth bore tank is a welcome trade off.

The sad reality of van/reefer freight is that many many people have control and influence regarding YOUR income. You have virtually no control. It's a whole different league of customers in the tanker world and their need for the product you are bringing them and you are treated much better. Backhauls are very rare, I've never done one. Unload and head home or back to get another load.

 

hauling a product called flow improver that they use in pipelines.

Indeed, Conoco Liquid Power....good sheet. Hydrocarbon based and coats pipeline in advance of the oil transmission. Reduces the friction and the need for pump horsepower.

 

Ive done probably half of the unloads ive had since i started at schneider bulk. Did a couple loadings too, there are a few places in nj (infineum in linden and dow in carteret) that you will load yourself.

 

You are in a wonderful position to move on to very lucrative jobs in the future. When I first started pulling tanks I would always seek out advice from Schneider Bulk drivers. You guys do it all and are have some of the best in the business training you. I spent 4 years at Schneider on the van side and at the time gave no thought to pulling tanks.

 

If you haul chocolate like myself then you have the responsibility of scraping the tank. It's not hard or takes long maybe 10 minutes. But chocolate is thick and doesn't like to go to the back easily. So you put a squigy in and push the product out. It's messy as all hell but after doing it a couple times I learned to use medical gloves and leave the squigy drip over the rear manhole while closing the front. So when you rebag the scraper you don't get it all over the place and you will get it places you don't want it.

 

Good thread. I have some (personal opinion maybe) input: While not 100% related, it is tanker related: Oilfield water hauling.

You guys would not believe how many drivers come down here because of the money, then piss and moan after the 1st day on the job. Many of them are OTR truckers with many years of experience OTR. They get their tanker, come down and get a water hauling job. (which is a 24/7 operation, so many get night shifts. ) The #1 complaint I've heard is: "You expect me to get off and drag these hoses around, get dirty and muddy!?" "I'm just a driver!!!!" It is like a culture shock to them. An oilfield trucking job isn't just driving the truck, no no no. WE have to get off, drag and hook up our hoses, throw them into tanks full of oil waste, get dirty and take that waste to a disposal and unload it. Driving around is (like with most if not all trucking jobs) only 50% of the job. I got tired of hearing this crap all the time, so I got my CDL and started driving my own truck. My customers are happier now.

 

I was in good shape as a water hauler. No ac in the truck wearing FRs. Dragging hoses all over the place. Going up a flight of stairs with 2" hose. Dropping hose into tank and pulling oily hose out of tank.

Oil hauler just pull one hose out and connect. Most work is switching trailers and going through all the gear as an oil hauler.