Hopper, Dump O/O's & Drivers

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by wheathauler, May 31, 2009.

  1. Rodeoman7

    Rodeoman7 Light Load Member

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    Ya I'm a cousin of the old man. I remember those trucks and trailers. He got out of cattle pots now we run mostly hoppers my live bottom and two others then tankers and pneumatics.

    He is still around and were the biggest fleet in the area. 2nd is VY.
     
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  3. Rodeoman7

    Rodeoman7 Light Load Member

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    May 27, 2008
    Middle of Nowhere, CO
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    I work for the feedlot mostly so it keeps me busy. And let's just say we're busy enough we don't have enough trucks moving. On any given day I run what two trucks normally do. I'm the youngest driver at 19, I also turn the most miles, pull the most loads and am the highest paid.

    I'm based out of sterling and run to Yuma daily when your in the area we should meet up and grab a bite to eat.
     
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  4. Big John

    Big John Road Train Member

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    When I worked there Allens nephew was the dispatcher but was told later on he quit and runs a trash truck bus. in Sterling. VY back then had all cabover Freightliners and hauled cattle sharp fleet. I have a couple of photos of Mitchek trucks from back in the 70's and 80's when he ran KW's and Petes I will post for you later.
     
  5. Rodeoman7

    Rodeoman7 Light Load Member

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    May 27, 2008
    Middle of Nowhere, CO
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    His son is the head of the trucking business then an old driver named Rich is the dispatch.

    VY runs newish KWs and Pete's. they haul majority of Mitchek cattle now. But have a few live bottoms and hoppers

    I can walk into the yard and see all the old trucks or what's left of them. We run 3 98 freight shakers 4 Pete's and the rest are 04-05 freightshaker cascadias then two 05 day cabs one of them is mine then I run the only triple axle truck and trailer in the fleet
     
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  6. wheathauler

    wheathauler Trucker

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    Hutch, Kansas
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    Having one of those days. Putting in new gas meter no heat for a spell. Pipe leaking in basement finally found plumber to work on it. Looking at load boards at the cheap freight. Good thing I don't drink or I'd be drunk by now.
     
  7. Big John

    Big John Road Train Member

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    Looking at some loads of urea that is posted by one of the big Nebraska brokers going from Catoosa, OK to Council Bluffs, IA for $28 a ton on 391 miles (computer miles) so if you haul 25 tons you are running for $1.79 a mile. Throw in the deadhead miles to load it or to your next load and boy we are making the big bucks. More and more regulations are being put on us, $4 diesel, new truck will run you over $130k, a new trailer will run you over $40k, tags, insurance, taxes, etc............ tires are around $500 each, engine overhaul will run you over $20k at most dealers and there is so much more. Why would anyone want to get in the trucking business, I have been doing it for so long I am to stupid to get out, lol. You gotta love it.

    ADM merchandiser told a buddy of mine today when he said the rate was to low and he could not haul it for that "Nobody else is complaining" well that is because you have the bottom feeders hauling it. The same merchandiser called me twice today and I would not answer the calls or return them because when they offer that cheap stuff I just get pissed anymore and want to choke somebody, it is an insult.


    Well will see what tomorrow brings.
     
  8. NHS

    NHS Light Load Member

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    Nov 26, 2012
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    We've hauled regular potatoes in hoppers before (CA to OR), just had to crack the traps a little and put a spacer (water bottle) at the front and back of the tarp in order to vent them. Don't quote me but I want to say these potatoes were going for chips, so that's probably why it worked fairly well and why it was ok for them to be dropped into a hopper. Not sure exactly how sweet potatoes would work out, but I'd imagine it would be similar.
     
  9. kajidono

    kajidono Road Train Member

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    We run old trucks, drop 34 miles from Catoosa, haul back towards home, pay $175 for used tires, and do our own overhauls. Hell, if you're really willing to pay $20k for an overhaul, I'll quit driving and do overhauls myself.
     
  10. wheathauler

    wheathauler Trucker

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    Hutch, Kansas
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    That's the problem around here the deadheading to get to the loads. Since most of the loads going to feedyards doesn't pay that great.

    Sounds like you have a good haul. Nice you can do your own overhauls saves money.
     
  11. Big John

    Big John Road Train Member

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    Well I am glad you can operate like that but I operate a little different. I buy new virgin rubber on my truck and if I can find some used steer take offs for my trailer I will buy them if they are in great shape if not I buy new. Never have bought any recaps either and never will. I do the small stuff but when it comes to major mechanic work I take it to a local shop that I use regualry and at $65 an hour shop rate is not bad at all. Also I never said I would pay $20k or more for an overhaul but that is what the dealers charge. I know a good cat man that will do it for a resonable price and stand behind it.

    I knew two old timers years ago that operated on a small budget and drove older equipment. They could fix anything and they were always working on their stuff. I think they would overhaul those old Cummins once a year and seemed like they were always down a day or two each week fixing something. I would go by their shops and they would be regrooving some old tires or duct taping something to get by. One gave me a hard time when I had my old 350 Cummins overhauled at a local shop in 1993 for $4500. He said I could overhaul it myself three times for what you paid, the funny thing was his ran for six months and he was overhauling it again and I ran mine for two years with no problems then sold it to a farmer who ran it for another three years with no issues. But that is the way those guys were raised and they never threw anything away and if it took two weeks to fix something it wasn't no big deal to them. I just operate different and replace stuff with new and a lot of times I will replace something if it is looking a little old before it breaks. I like to get it fixed and back on the road fast as I can so I don't loose out on revenue.
     
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