Self loading used equipment

I hauled some (5 or 6) smaller junk forklifts that started "fine" to load down in georgia, but only 2 started in ohio where it was snowing. One started with a jump, the others he just dragged off with a strap and his good forklift while i steered. Took longer to back in the dock than unload. He was fine with it, but knew he was buying junk and was surprised any started at all.

 

I will load anything…I had some wild rides when I hauled for the salvage yard. I ran a d8 right off the back of the trailer… and I don’t have ramps back there.
I have been on my side in a trackhoe that only had one track…. They don’t load very well that way lol. I have cut parts off to make loads fit, used some creativity to load 90000lb dozers that almost run and probably about any other stupid idea you can come up with pertaining to moving junk heavy equipment. But I never had to worry about the damage I did (within reason and I was paid by the hour). If only I had pictures…but I had a pos flip phone then
I know that’s not quite what you are talking about but in your case I would check engine oil and watch gauges (assuming they work and roll with it. Engines are about the only thing you won’t get a second chance with. Transmission of all types will almost certainly be limped along with more oil. If you think something is going to go bad call the owner and wait for a response if possible. Take pictures before and after something goes wrong and use your head when something has a problem stop and think before proceeding.
The last part might be a problem if you’re not mechanically inclined( not trying to be hard on anyone).

 

I’ve loaded tons of stuff from the port here in Eastern Canada and I’ve never been allowed to touch it. Very strict union there.

 

Come down to the US east coast. You won’t get loaded or unloaded unless you touch it.

 

All the years and all the junk I’ve haul I’ve only had two machines actually breakdown on the trailer. One blew a hydraulic line which was a fairly easy fix. But it sure made a mess. The other was an old track hoe that walked out of a loose track. Oddly enough they were both loaded by the guy selling them. I tried to tell him he should tighten that track up. So that turned into a two hour ordeal.

If the machine breaks down that is their problem. You can try to help or you can sit in the truck waiting on a mobile mechanic. That’s in no way the drivers responsibility.

If you roll a machine trying to load it, that is your responsibility. If you tear up a tire trying to load it, that is your responsibility.


See a pattern? If it something you can control it’s on you. Machines break and break they will. That is not your fault.

 

Do they take responsibility for trailer damage? That's my biggest concern hauling for others.

 

My company is the opposite.. We have a nobody loads #### on the trailer other than the driver, policy... The driver also takes 500 pictures of any potential problems or current problems, along with videos explaining what were looking at. All oil and fluids are checked before cranking with video to go with it. Jump pack on board in case of dead batteries... Cover your ###... Is rule number 1 in trucking...

 

I’m not beating you up, but that sounds like a case of wrong equipment and inexperienced driver. I will commend you somewhat. Hauling equipment you need to be knowledgeable enough to know when you can’t do something. But honestly 9 times out of 10 that old junk pays a higher rate than new equipment out of a port or manufacture.

I guess it pays better because of guys like you. So I reckon I should say thanks.