I got popped overweight today.

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by DixonM, Sep 20, 2022.

  1. DixonM

    DixonM Light Load Member

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    This morning I was directed onto the scale and found to be overweight by 1440 lbs. I was driving a straight truck today small KW with a flat bed with only six pallets of sod this truck they normally use for the non CDL drivers it has a 26,000 GVW. I was told they use this truck for loads up to eight pallets of sod and that the sod is around 1000 lbs a pallet.
    Now I will admit the sod was a bit wet but not soaking wet I have had loads that were draining off the deck.
    So what would someone in the know guess for weight of a sod pallet.
     
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  3. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    I haul about a dozen loads of sod a week, doing it for years. Many factors such as soil type, thickness of dirt on sod,number of pieces on pallet ( varies ) and moisture content.
    Have seen it weigh 4,000 pounds to the pallet if dripping wet, have seen it 2300 pounds.
    I usually figure it at around 27 to 2800 pounds for a 400 sf pallet , not wet, here in North Florida.
     
  4. DixonM

    DixonM Light Load Member

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    I'm on the treasure coast and the outfit I work for does turf sod for golf courses. I am not to sure how many SF are on there pallets but that number is quite a bit higher than what I was told. How about the rolls of sod?
    I will typically haul 16 pallets or 30 rolls on a 48ft flatbed.
     
  5. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    My usual load is 18 - 400 ' pallets or 16 450's. . Different roll sizes,I go around 7,400 sf. Golf course sod is usually Bermuda, cut thin, so weighs less.
    You can get a blanket overweight permit to go higher.
     
  6. '88K100

    '88K100 Road Train Member

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    I hauled numerous loads of sod out of Minnesota to NW Ontario and avoided scales like the plague. The mesh tarp did little to keep sod from sucking up rain water.
     
  7. DixonM

    DixonM Light Load Member

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    The good news is the ticket was only $72.00 the company pays for it and It does not affect my CDL.
     
  8. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    At .05 $ per lb, now imagine you had the "normal" 10 pallets on...

    Assuming truck is 12k on its own, then each pallet weighs 2573 #, would be a 590$ ticket...

    Never rely on what someone tells you something weighs, they dont know or care, weigh truck, then weigh a bunch of loads and do the math, 5 cat scales would give you ample proof your company (or their shipper) doesnt know anything about their own product
     
  9. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    You never specifically said, but inferred that you do have a cdl.
    In that case the company dodged a bullet. The non-cdl driver getting placed oos and maybe the vehicle towed as in that case the driver didn't have a license to drive the vehicle.
     
  10. DixonM

    DixonM Light Load Member

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    Yes I have my class A .
    Never thought about it but you are right if the non CDL driver was in the truck it would have been OOS.
     
  11. ProfessionalNoticer

    ProfessionalNoticer Road Train Member

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    There are no scales in your area or along your route?
     
    Another Canadian driver and drh72 Thank this.
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