Question for O/O Hazmat Tanker drivers

Discussion in 'Hazmat Trucking Forum' started by LoadedUpBD, Oct 22, 2021.

  1. LoadedUpBD

    LoadedUpBD Bobtail Member

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    Oct 22, 2021
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    So, I have a question for you guys. I'm planning on getting my own truck, and doing Hazmat Tanker. If I were to sign up with a company as an O/O would they provide training on everything to do with tanker work? I.e. Loading/ unloading.
     
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  3. T.Rucker

    T.Rucker Medium Load Member

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    Here and there…
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    They should…call around and check with the companies you’re interested in. I haul propane as a o/o and they make sure you know what you’re doing before you head out on your own…
     
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  4. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    They wouldn't just put you out hauling chemicals without training. Also ask whether you have to have a pump and/or compressor installed on your truck. This will be your expense.
     
  5. RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

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    They will, but I strongly recommend that you first hire on as a company driver with the carrier that you plan to lease to. This will allow you to learn everything you need to know about tanker yanking - including company & customer procedures, locations, and rates - while you're saving up for your truck.
     
  6. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    I spent 2.5 years doing just that, training mostly new owner operators. Our manager was able to take advantage of an 'emergency hire' program while loaning the cost of pump, compresor and installation.

    He would get the unit number before the actual approval from safety and we would use my mack to train for a week, putting the opoerator's numbers on our work while the guys truck was in the installation shop.

    The biggest comedy was the constant complaints about having to drive an 'armstrong' 5 speed puppy dog but he new operator hit the road with time payments and the remains of his first paycheck as he set out on his own.

    As that died they started working with school grads who attended an additional week of school focused on driving a few old tanks 1/2 full of water before coming out to a terminal and doing 30 days with a trainer. Marginal guys were given the option to waive joining the union for and additonal 30 days training.

    That kept us very busy.
     
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  7. LoadedUpBD

    LoadedUpBD Bobtail Member

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    Oct 22, 2021
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    Yea so far, from my more in-depth research, that seems to come up a lot. will definitely look into doing that.
     
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  8. LoadedUpBD

    LoadedUpBD Bobtail Member

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    Oct 22, 2021
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    Interesting, always thought the pump came on the trailers. Also thanks for the info. Gave me great insight.
     
  9. 6wheeler

    6wheeler Road Train Member

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    You will never find a company to do that. You will find a company that offers you there truck to drive tanker.

    See company's HATE HATE the idea of a independent running or having control of their business
     
  10. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    For most general chemical work, the product pump +/or compressor and dry bulk blower are usually mounted on the power unit.

    Cyro and LPG/CNG can have the pump on the trailer, older LPG units had a blackmere pump mounted near the landing gear driven by a jackshaft that connected to the tractor.

    A lot of sanitary trailers have gone to hydraulic drive and have a pump inside the valve box at the back.

    And, as usual in the tanker world, there is always somebody who does it dfferent for their purpose and hydraulic systems have added a flexibility never seen before.

    I worked at a waste company who's vacuum trailers had Deitz diesels mounted above the 5th wheel plate driving the vacuum pump yet I bought them a used Heil vacuum with a hydraulic driven pump set up to be driven by a wet line with power up/down.

    You never know what specialist stuff you may find but in general you will have a pump [at minimum] PTO driven -or- a hydro pack hydraulic drive mounted on the power unit.
     
  11. wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    When I worked for Chemical Leaman in Central Dispatch Owner Operators were valued, when needed, and treated like third class people when not.

    Depending on their home region, the operators were 'cycled'; the longer they were out, the smaller their percentage became.

    This was around deregulation and there were a lot of dedicated units assigned to particular customers and even if they were backhaul-able, there were commitments to those customers who wanted them available and not running around in the 'system'.

    Faced with company power and operators, we were told to backhaul company first and then check our notes and pick the owner operator who was cycled the most.

    In 1980 we were told that deadheading home empty we spent $0.96 to make $1.00 BUT if we matched two head hauls the return was much higher which was why we all were brought into Downingtown to remove the bias of regional backhaul co-ordinators puting all in one place and any non dedicated trip over 150 miles was ours to match to another triip.

    Years later I ran into similar stuff at Matlack when 'Downtown' called and told me to stop doing a particular customer's business. We were hauling Sulfuric Acid with company drivers [teamsters] a customer in place when I was made terminal manager. The reason was, after several years of serving this customer, the checked and we were loosing money as it was originally intended to be done by the owner operators who made 62% and we would have been profitable.......

    Later I ran owner operators only at another acid plant and made a good profit with a dozen very happy owner operators.
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2021
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