Pneumatic Bulk Training.

You'll get trained at the company. It doesn't take too long to get the basics. Then you'll learn the nuances as you go along.

Different substances will respond to different valve settings, but they are all similar in that they all get blown out the back of the trailer through pressure. The differences are in how fast you end up offloading.

If they don't show you how to reverse pump a tank, they haven't trained you properly. Ask them how to do it, or go on the internet and download some instructions and train yourself to do it. It's invaluable, especially for sticky stuff.

 

Sure beats cleaning up the mess and the customer is much happier!

 

i was "trained" by my company. it consisted of going out with a qualified driver 2-3 days. after that i was considered "qualified" but
after reading all the knowledge the poster's here possess, i realize that i really only knew the basics. i was never shown anything about how to unplug anything, or reverse pump etc. with that said i didn't have any problems that i am aware of, successfully offloaded plastic pellets about 6 times at different customers. i do recall starting with the #1 hopper and working back due to the heat/melting reason.

 

NO!!

The physical characteristics of the product and the unloading site will determine how you unload it.

Cement into a pig will be different than pebble lime into a tall silo. Plastic is a completely different ballgame (temperature sensitive), as is food-grade product (sanitary considerations have to be taken).

 

Amen to that!

You really need to learn this - it will save you lots of time and frustration. If the company won't train you for it, ask one of the experienced hands.

Hint: If you're doing it right, the trailer will hop up and down when you open and close the hopper valves.

 

I was company trained. With a trainer for two weeks, one w/at the main terminal, then on my own from there.

 

All the companies I knew of did their own training. Even if you had experience you got checked out for a couple of days with a trainer. If they hired you with no tanker experience you stayed with a trainer until the trainer said you were good to go solo.

 

It's really not that difficult. You can get trained on the proper valve usage, how to unplug a line etc.. but nothing beats actually being on the site doing it yourself.

We haul everything from food grade to sand, limestone, lime pebbles etc... Never hauled any concrete though.

I've found with light product, like flour or limestone, you can open your product valves all the way and keep your bottom line air less than half way open. But with heavier product, like salt or sand, I never open the product valves more than half way. My bottom air I'll run 3/4 or more open. And I always use my vibrators. Never use top air except with sugar. Then just long enough to get my tank pressure up then shut the air off. Otherwise it can melt. Corn is similar. Too much pressure and it will break up as it's blowing off.

Each trailer is different, too. But it's not hard to get the hang of. Some products just out right suck to unload. And some customers just are a pain in the rear to deliver too. You might blow off in 45 minutes at one place and take 4 hours at the next.

Hauling dry bulk is a good gig, though. At least in my opinion. You can make darn good money pulling a pneumatic.

 

I've never hauled concrete either... But I haul cement all the time