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New Job - Tanker yanker

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by pricey59, Jul 1, 2010.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Jul 1, 2010 #1
    pricey59

    pricey59 Light Load Member

    54
    5
    Mar 31, 2009
    Ephrata, Pa.
    0
    Hello, I have driven locally for a little over a year for a local company, using a 53' trailer and a day cab. I traveled a 5 state area, but was home daily. Well things got slow, and I was laid off. I live just outside of Lancaster Pa. and applied for and was hired by LCL Bulk Trans. They have to locations....one in Elizabethtown Pa. and one in WI, and haul mostly food grade chocolate. I went to the terminal yesterday after my drug screen and physical. I had a boat load of paperwork to do, but it was all waiting for me in a nice folder, with most of my info already filled in....I only needed to sign. I thought that was cool of them to do. The terminal consisted of a few wash bays for the trucks and tanks, but everything I could see was well maintained and clean. The few people there were vary friendly and helpful. The company runs late model mack condo type rigs. I have no idea what to expect other than I will be out 4-5 days with most weekends off. I know it is going to be a bit of a challenge driving a truck with a sleeper. I will be with a trainer for at least one week, that is what the manager told me, so I can learn, the loading/unloading process, paperwork etc. and he wants to try to get me at least one Canada run, while with a trainer. Anyone know much about this company? Any tips on hauling a food grade tanker, and what to expect my first week with a trainer. I have never shared a truck before. They provide uniforms, so other thank clothes, what should I bring. Any help at all will be great. Thanks
     
    pricey59, Jul 1, 2010
    pricey59, Jul 1, 2010
    #1
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  3. Jul 1, 2010 #2
    Pumpkin Oval Head

    Pumpkin Oval Head Road Train Member

    1,679
    1,155
    Jun 24, 2010
    Scranton PA
    0
    You will like pulling tankers...nicer people at the plants...you will get to know them and them you...

    I take water, snacks, pillow, blanket, ear plugs for sleeping, log book, toiletries, and a change of clothes if I get to take a shower at a truck stop...most places like Pilot charge $10 for a shower, but if you have a fuel card with them, it is free...so find out if your trainer has that..I expect he will.

    Sounds like a good orientaion program. I haul milk from Ia to SD and cream to St. Louis. I had one trip to SD with a trainer, and on my own after that...unloading milk is not very complicated, as they have a product hose to unload and then a CIP hose to wash and sanitize the tank. I expect your procedures will be similiar. The butter plant in St. Loius even did the hose hookup, so I did nto have to touch a hose.

    We also haul to Wisconsin, the LaCrosse area, but I have not made that run yet. We also haul to Penn, and I have not made that run yet either.

    The big thing about milk tankers is the surge...a full tanker will not have the surge, like a half full tanker. After you have ridden with the trainer for a while you will get used to the surge.... we use the jake brake to slow down, starting up to a mile before the exit off the interstate, depending on the terrain. We touch the throttle very lightly to avoid a big surge...you will always have a little surge...that you can feel.

    Also, I have to weigh in before unloading and then weigh again after unloading...

    We drive 475 hp Petes with 18 speed trannies, and use all the gears when starting...

    I find it easier to sleep in the passenger seat than in the berth, but I drive solo...I prefer solo as I can pull into a rest stop when I need too, as I can get better rest with the truck stopped than when it is bouncing down the road.

    Is your tanker the type that unloads from a valve at the back of the trailer, or do you have bottom unloading for the chocolate? Not sure how thick the chocolate is? You may not have surge issues if you have the 3 section bottom unloading style, is my guess.

    I would like to hear more about the style tanker you will be pulling.
     
    Pumpkin Oval Head, Jul 1, 2010
    Pumpkin Oval Head, Jul 1, 2010
    #2
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  4. Jul 1, 2010 #3
    pricey59

    pricey59 Light Load Member

    54
    5
    Mar 31, 2009
    Ephrata, Pa.
    0
    Thanks Pumpkin for the reply. I can say for sure about the thickness of the load, but I was thinking is was more like syrup, as I heard some of the cleaners talking about the "heel" which is left over product that you can't get out of the tank. Here is a pic of one of the trucks. The trailers are called " shakers " it is a new style tank that will vibrate while unloading to help get all of the product from the tank...
     

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    pricey59, Jul 1, 2010
    pricey59, Jul 1, 2010
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  5. Jul 1, 2010 #4
    Pumpkin Oval Head

    Pumpkin Oval Head Road Train Member

    1,679
    1,155
    Jun 24, 2010
    Scranton PA
    0
    With a thicker load, you will likely have less surge, or at least it will be slower to react...
    You have the same style tank that we use to haul milk. There are no baffles, so the product can move freely from one end to the other, so I am guessing you will feel it some. Will be interested to see how much you feel the load move.
     
    Pumpkin Oval Head, Jul 1, 2010
    Pumpkin Oval Head, Jul 1, 2010
    #4
    pricey59 Thanks this.
  7. Jul 1, 2010 #5
    pricey59

    pricey59 Light Load Member

    54
    5
    Mar 31, 2009
    Ephrata, Pa.
    0
    Your truck sounds sweet. I am in amish country, so I see a lot of milk haulers, but they all look like crap. I always wondered why anyone would buy milk that was hauled in a truck that looked like that. LOL I have noooo problem with the teeeeets a swinging. Does the body good
     
    pricey59, Jul 1, 2010
    pricey59, Jul 1, 2010
    #5
  8. Jul 1, 2010 #6
    Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

    1,492
    1,647
    Jan 4, 2009
    Alaska highway
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    Always remember to crack the manhole lid. Usually the intakes guys will do it for ya, but if it gets forgoten ya can suck the tank in like a crushed beer can.
    Open the manhole
    Open the manhole
    Dont forget the manhole!!!
     
    Winchester Magnum, Jul 1, 2010
    Winchester Magnum, Jul 1, 2010
    #6
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  9. Jul 2, 2010 #7
    wsyrob

    wsyrob Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    5,769
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    Sep 14, 2007
    Winston Salem
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    Do milk plants use a pump to unload? Why not air it off?
     
    wsyrob, Jul 2, 2010
    wsyrob, Jul 2, 2010
    #7
  10. Jul 2, 2010 #8
    Bullhauler9

    Bullhauler9 Bobtail Member

    10
    3
    Jan 29, 2010
    Monticello, Ia
    0
    pumpkin who do you work for? I think i may know your truck..... i work locally around waterloo, cedar rapids and iowa city
     
    Bullhauler9, Jul 2, 2010
    Bullhauler9, Jul 2, 2010
    #8
  11. Jul 2, 2010 #9
    Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

    1,492
    1,647
    Jan 4, 2009
    Alaska highway
    0
    Generaly speaking, most milk intakes suck it out with their pumps. (Open the manhole)
     
    Winchester Magnum, Jul 2, 2010
    Winchester Magnum, Jul 2, 2010
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    Civilservant Thanks this.
  12. Jul 2, 2010 #10
    wsyrob

    wsyrob Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Sep 14, 2007
    Winston Salem
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    I have never hauled milk before. I had always assumed it would be air unloaded. Less moving parts to clean. Thanks for the education.
     
    wsyrob, Jul 2, 2010
    wsyrob, Jul 2, 2010
    #10
    Civilservant Thanks this.
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