Hopper, Dump O/O's & Drivers

Any of you guys get loads in or out of PA? I see alot of end dumps in and out of the coal mines around here.

 

I bet you are seeing alot of local or regional guys hauling the coal. I have never hauled any out of a coal mine. I see alot of coal going long distance on trains.

 

I've hauled coal out of PA before, and I have to say it was interesting driving. Honestly, that last load is a trip I'll never make again - probably spent 20 minutes straight on the jakes and low range. What they called a highway wouldn't be called a road in Missouri, winding, narrow, and poorly signed. Overall, not a money maker, and not worth hauling.

The place I loaded out at was entertaining though, it was about 10pm at night, and after loading the front hopper the guy tells me to pull up. When I'd pulled forward, he tells me on the radio my tailgate might be open. My eyes rolled skyward, and I grabbed the mike, "hoppers don't have a tailgate.... go ahead and load", was all I could come up with.

 

I never thought they would haul coal in hoppers.

 

What coal hauling there is around here now is dominated by one end dump outfit. Imagine if Swift pulled dump trailers and you've got a pretty good idea of them. Underbid everyone else, hire anyone with a pulse and run em to death. I don't mean to sound bitter, I don't want to be a coal hauler.

LOL, I'll make sure my tailgate's latched tomorrow! Although I have seen hopper doors forgotten to be closed....

 

Has anyone run into this:

I loaded cotton seed meal today at ADM in Memphis, TN and I pulled back on the scales with 78,600 lbs on and said something about putting another 1,000 on and he handed me their policy stating the following

"If truck has a gross weight of 78,500lbs or more do not allow driver to go back and get anymore, if driver has an issue with this have him contact his/her dispatcher.

 

wheathauler,you thawing out any? we got up to 29 here today,it almost seemed hot lol