Driving the Cement Mixer

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by brinkj23, Aug 10, 2009.

  1. brinkj23

    brinkj23 "Asphalt Cowboy"

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    Dec 26, 2005
    Minnesota
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    Well been driving for my local Ready Mix plant for almost 2 months now, an so far so good. Still trying to get the mixing process down and making sure im leaving the yard with the right slump, kinda got a feel for it now though I think. I tell ya its sure different then driving otr thats for sure. Get to deal with all different kinds of people all day long and no job site is the same, well except for the pump jobs. Those I love I could do that all day long, had one last thursday we pushed out 360 yards between 6:30 to 10:30 am running 7 trucks back an forth from the plant to the pump for a state job. The jobs I hate though are pouring basement walls and having to drive through mud, over hills, worry about pushing in the dirt wall around the basement. But so far so good, glad I took this local job when I did. Couple of my buddies that run otr said I would miss otr and come back. I dont think so, the only thing I miss is the freedom of being able to take a break whenever I fealt like it, an also not having someone looking over my back all day. But I love sleeping in my own bed everynight an seeing friends and hanging out on the weekends. One thing I wonder though, for the other concrete guys on here is this. The guy who owns the ready mix in my town also owns 6 others in the area. So basically its a monopoly, hes got the whole southeast corner or MN and southwest corner of WI covered for concrete. He also owns the trucks that run the sand an aggregate from the quarry to the plant. Oh did I say he also owns all the quarries in all these towns to? Just wondered if thats what a lot of guys do or if this is just something that goes on around here. Alright later all thanks again to all the guys that helped me out when I started running mixer a couple months ago.
     
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  3. brinkj23

    brinkj23 "Asphalt Cowboy"

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    Dec 26, 2005
    Minnesota
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    Oh an heres a view from my office.
     

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  4. Dren1276

    Dren1276 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 24, 2009
    Ky
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    Based on what you have said, as far as the owner owning everything, I can say around my area thats not the case. Not saying its bad or anything but sounds like he has the market sewed up there.


    Any ways I am a local guy I don't drive a mixer but have freinds that do and I have been around on job sites enough to know. I still say you made a better decision to get off the road and stay local.


    What I would do is keep an eye out on openings for one of the trucks that haul the materials to the plants. You will be set if you can get that.
     
  5. Lil'Joe

    Lil'Joe Bobtail Member

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    Jan 30, 2009
    Sugar Hill, GA
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    Is that an Oshkosh or Advance mixer?

    I was in the ready mix business for 12 years before getting laid off in January. How's business up there? Sux in Atlanta.
     
  6. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    In S. Ca, there are some huge cement plants that have multiple locations including quarrys/batch plants/all equipment/mixers/powder/transfers/end-bottom dumps. One is Robertson's, the other is Superior. They also sell aggregates out of their quarrys. Vulcan and Hanson are two other big players as well. Oh, forgot Cemex. Granite construction and Yager build roads and set up portables as well as having some quarrys. Sounds like your boss buys the competion in order to expand. :biggrin_2554:
     
  7. CommDriver

    CommDriver Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2006
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    Congratulations on getting a good local job.

    You weren't OTR long enough to lose all your social skills and ability to work with others (joking kind of).

    About your boss having a monopoly; you're young enough, work hard and develop good relationships and you could work your way up and buy him out eventually. Who knows?
     
  8. Jim Bob

    Jim Bob Light Load Member

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    Aug 2, 2009
    Portland, Or
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    LoL, dream on. That's what all the fat cats tell the proles to keep them off their back.

    Let someone else own a business, I always say. Sheesh, you gotta own everything?
     
  9. prisonerofthehwy

    prisonerofthehwy <strong>Ball and Chains</strong>

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    Sep 30, 2007
    Somerset Kentucky
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    It's slow here in Kentucky. :biggrin_2553:
     
  10. Rug_Trucker

    Rug_Trucker Road Train Member

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    Aug 7, 2009
    Near Nashville TN
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    I did concrete and block driving for a couple of years. Just wait 'til they tell you to climb inside a drum and jack hammer it out!

    Are you Teamster? if you are disregard the jack hammering!

    Block was better, not wet alll the time. Many times you were by yourself on the jobsite.
     
  11. Rug_Trucker

    Rug_Trucker Road Train Member

    3,335
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    Aug 7, 2009
    Near Nashville TN
    0
    BTW cement is what you mix with aggrigate to make concrete.

    "cement mixer" is a sick little song that Liberachie used to sing..........
     
    prisonerofthehwy Thanks this.
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