Advice on Front Loaders and Rolloffs (container trucks)

I've done a little roll off, sticking around a previous job trying to make some extra cash after my work was done. Really interesting process, IMO, but I think it would get real monotonous swapping containers around all day. I'd have no problem doing it full time if it was a good opportunity.

However, front end is not something I would do for a living. The way I see it, the job is just begging for you to get a few dings on your license. Too many dumpsters put in odd places that you have to back #### near blind out of, while cars come out of nowhere zipping behind you oblivious to the fact that you are backing up. Night has got to be better than the little bit of daytime stuff I did, but it would take a crazy paycheck before I would do it again.

 

It's a interesting job. My route is Metro Pittsburgh, When it rains, The landfills are a disaster. Rotating dumpsters CAN be PITA.

As someone else mentioned dumpster diving is a huge perk, Amazed what others throw away.

I do commercial / residential. Takes a little patience to drop a 40 yd dumpster at persons residence. So many obstacles, definitely pushes skills.

Overall it's a fun job. Beats driving 500 miles to one destination.

 

Hi guys i have run frontload for a 1yr, roll off for 6 yrs and transfer trailer 1yr. Front load one of the most inportant parts is to watch overhead wires. Most front cans are in lots and alleys. You can't judge the weight in them but mostly run around 12-15 ton. If you shake the can to much they will fall in. Then you will need a crane to get them out. Unloading is easy just pack the can out at the landfill or transfer station. Then you need to get behind the blade and clean out the trash that falls behind it. Just make sure you put the key in your pocket. Now roll off has it problems to. Watch any wires when lifting the boom up. Watch where you place your cans tight spots make it hard to get them back out or switch. Then on a double switch (set same spot) you will need to find somewhere to drop your empty, grab the full can drop it then put back the empty and pick up the full one . A little bit of work but not to bad. You won't know the weight in the can but most run between 2tn -20tn. Alot of companys limit what people put in them. This don't mean people don't overload them. Here in detroit we get more matress and couchs ontop of the cans. Make sure you get your paperwork signed before you go on the driveways. You can and will brake them. (Tarping) if your lucky you will have a auto tarper. I have done mostly hand tarping this was not hard for me to learn sence i'm also a flatbeder. I have done lots of hand tarping. You will at some time blow hyd lines just hope it's not in a nice drivway. Carry kitty litter on your truck. I have broke only one cable. Had to go home and change my underware.
LOL had a heavy 28 ton (Very over weight) commercial roofing can on. Got it half way up the boom then off nascar style. Both jobs are not bad. Both are different beast. Most front load work at night and early mornings roll off mostly days.
Let me know if you need more info and i can tell you what you need to know.

Good luck and be careful

 

One more thing if i have my pick i take roll off every time.

 

My fault, Forgot to mention i do roll off dumpsters, I don't have enough seniority to do front end loader and make $80,000 a year. Transfered to a new company.


Overall, I enjoy it.

Good luck not for everyone.


as dieseldon said. can drop a dumpster anywhere, the problem CAN be the pickup. think of the pickup
Different trucks have different turning radius / size and the driver itself.

oh and dirt / concrete in a 30 yard 1/2 or 3/4 full is always a no go. my 75,000 # winch can't do it no matter what.


The scariest is extremely heavy loads. even with a tag axle. can hear the tires rubbing the fender on slight turns.
too late to refuse the load. it's on the truck out of customers driveway and just use your training and be cautious.

get too landfill it's 80-90 thousand pounds. ##### happens. I don't get paid tonnage.

 

We only put dirt or concrete in 20 yarders and only fill 1/2 way. But you alway get the construction guy that fills it all the way. Like always i need that can for my next call get that all the time.

 

When I was with WMI Los Angeles back in the end of the 80's, we had cut down roll-off bins dedicated to concrete or dirt jobs. I think they were about 20 yards cap.

But it's the front loader commercial guys that need balls. Lots of backing into traffic, even with the cameras and backup safe brakes, that does not keep them from running into you. Downtown the rats were bigger than a Schneider Recruiter....

We had a couple of professional dumpster divers on our crew, Called them Doc and Beatle Bailey, these guys could smell the good dumpster from a mile away, Beatle ended up transferring into a construction site pump truck. He loved the secret sauce jokes at Jack in the Box..... Fun times...

If I had any brains I would have stayed at WMI with there 20 year retirement....