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driving a low boy

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ACH1130, Dec 1, 2011.

Page 3 of 4
  1. Dec 2, 2011 #21
    Tardis

    Tardis Light Load Member

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    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dif4D8nYeO4&feature=player_embedded"]this is what he wanted to do[/ame]:biggrin_25514:
     
    Tardis, Dec 2, 2011
    Tardis, Dec 2, 2011
    #21
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  3. Dec 2, 2011 #22
    wis bang

    wis bang Road Train Member

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    Jan 12, 2011
    Levittown, PA
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    I used to pull a Rogers Croucher for a small construction company. While I used to load most of the stuff, the operator usually loaded the larger excavators & the D-8 though I was allowed to off-load them back at the yard.

    Ground clearance is always an issue. The Rogers had a set of blocks you could place under the latches to raise the trailer a few extra inches. After a season of coming in the yard from one direction, the next spring I learned what those funny looking blocks were for when the 977 wouldn't go out the way it came in...I as 1/2 way out and couldn't move back either...

    Nothing is as much 'fun' as standing ankle deep in sticky clay trying to chain up a machine...

    Oh Yeah, the overweight permits don't account for the tons of mud, dirt and debris that can be stuck on and in the undercarrage adding weight, not to mention having to shovel off the stuff that stays behind after you unload the machine...

    Beware of the job boss that tells you to 'follow this guy to the dump spot' which is always located on a residential street you can't get down -or- is upteen miles down a two lane country road where you need to drive another upteen miles to find a place to turn around...

    Lowbeding could make a good career start, usually it is local and home every night.
     
    wis bang, Dec 2, 2011
    wis bang, Dec 2, 2011
    #22
    ACH1130 Thanks this.
  4. Dec 2, 2011 #23
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    ACH 1130, Dude, relax, no insult intended, seriously. But you did kind of set yourself up for my remarks. You originally posted about a job interview with ABF. You never posted about turning down the job. Then with Carlile, you say "Got offered a job". Next you say, you're working with the recruiter. Then you want to know about low boys which makes me wonder if you've been hired at Carlile, why the low boy question. Anyway, no insult intended, like I said. We do get some people on here that like to "jerk our chains". Was starting to wonder if you might be one . You're free to post as you please, just no name calling/insults/advertising. Yeah, I'm staff, but am also a trucker with a very thick skin. Luck to Ya'
     
    Allow Me., Dec 2, 2011
    Allow Me., Dec 2, 2011
    #23
    ACH1130 Thanks this.
  5. Dec 2, 2011 #24
    ACH1130

    ACH1130 Road Train Member

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    I admit I was wrong, just having a real bad stressful day, And im sorry for what I did. Glad we can put it behind ourselves though, and yea you seem like the person to ask questions after seeing your experience level with driving lol

    But thanks for everyone for helping with my question. It does seem like it can be a pain pulling a low-boy with the mud and all, but it makes it more interesting, and more fun.
     
    ACH1130, Dec 2, 2011
    ACH1130, Dec 2, 2011
    #24
  7. Dec 2, 2011 #25
    GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

    6,257
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    Oct 23, 2005
    Vegas/Jersey
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    There's different types of lowboys with different hazards. Low clearance should always be an issue. However, I pulled a 3 axle single drop deck that had high enough clearance you didn't have to worry about it unless you crossed a very high RR crossing or spot in the road.


    Unloading that last track hoe is very dangerous and takes a lot of skill, as shown. Sometimes you are forced to do things like that. If we had the chance it was much better to dig a hole and back the trailer into it then drive the hoe off. Plus if that deck was wet from rain or whatever there's a very good chance you could roll it. Backhoes are easy compared to dozers or track loaders.
     
    GasHauler, Dec 2, 2011
    GasHauler, Dec 2, 2011
    #25
    ACH1130 Thanks this.
  8. Dec 2, 2011 #26
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Yeah, a low boy does mean very long hours. You need to be at the job site early, like 5-6 am. Job sites mean dust, mud, hurry hurry hurry mode. Did dirt work for years, bottom dumps. Contractors have very high stress levels. Then you might have to pick-up the equipment later that day at various job sites, like I said, long hours. Plus knowing how to operate the equipment to load and unload. But, give it a try, you will have weekends off. Also, it's seasonal, so, rain means no worky today.
     
    Allow Me., Dec 2, 2011
    Allow Me., Dec 2, 2011
    #26
    ACH1130 Thanks this.
  9. Dec 2, 2011 #27
    ACH1130

    ACH1130 Road Train Member

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    Jan 23, 2011
    Land of far far away,
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    I dont mind the long hours, as read and told by other truckers in this forum, if you are looking for a 9-5 40 hour work week then this is the wrong industry. I do have experience with heavy equipment when my fathers construction business was bigger. Im used to the dust and mud, and I know the general contractors do have high stress levels. The company is United rentals, pretty big company, just applied yesterday for it, so might be a week or two before I hear back. Always give it a try to see how I like it. Didnt know about the rain part though
     
    ACH1130, Dec 2, 2011
    ACH1130, Dec 2, 2011
    #27
  10. Dec 2, 2011 #28
    CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

    19,726
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    Apr 18, 2010
    Tennessee
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    I knew Allow Me would post something senseful back. Tell the rest Santa doesn't need anymore elves. :biggrin_2559:

    Construction hauling is fun and can be challenging which makes it that more interesting. It doesn't hurt for a driver to broaden his horizons.
    Track hoes always gave me the willy's loading. But you get use to it.
    Atleast you get some training. My training consisted of watching one time, then I was on my own.
     
    CondoCruiser, Dec 2, 2011
    CondoCruiser, Dec 2, 2011
    #28
  11. Dec 2, 2011 #29
    p booth

    p booth Light Load Member

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    Oct 21, 2011
    dark side of the moon
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    this guy should have turned on lower deck this guy is not TO SMART guess off loading at the back was more of a challenge
     
    p booth, Dec 2, 2011
    p booth, Dec 2, 2011
    #29
  12. Dec 2, 2011 #30
    p booth

    p booth Light Load Member

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    4
    Oct 21, 2011
    dark side of the moon
    0
    one other thing hauling a lowboy you need more room when turning. the wheels on the trailer beaing all the way too the back and 3 axles [tires on ground] draging pavement cutting down on your turning radious. you need to have trailer wheels as close as you can oppasite the way your turning . if left need trl wheels to right and vice versa . when backing up the draging tires change how you backup get it . not like a van were wheels up under away from back of trailer .48ft float pulls like a 55ft trailer . good luck . oh yea bee nice to
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2011
    p booth, Dec 2, 2011
    p booth, Dec 2, 2011
    #30
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