Hopper, Dump O/O's & Drivers

We had just enough rain this morning to settle the dust, I think planters will be rolling again this afternoon if they aren't already.

 

RW, those weren't "magic" mushrooms, were they???

 

I was beginning to wonder if he thought this was the 1960s. He did seem to know a lot about the different colors of mushrooms.

 

LOL, no I've never tried the "other" mushrooms! I'm headed out to the woods pretty soon to find a few more and make enough to fry up.

I took it to my welder this afternoon, he's going to put a new bottom in it and a couple extra braces, should come back better than new. Did you lose a ratchet binder or a lever? Someone probably grabbed it if it was a ratchet. A lever, I don't like those well enough to even slow down.

 

Just a short update on revenue, between the deadhead and a few (very few) truck repairs, it probably cost me to haul freight the last 2 months. If I added in actual grocery costs, and subtracted the miles I ran chasing trailers around the country it might have broken even as long as I didn't post a truck payment. Even if my truck was paid for, who would put miles on their truck for free?!

I think the cost of fuel has run way over the rates lately, without a single adjustment. FSC is supposed to be calculated at anything over $2/gallon, assuming 5.5mpg for the haul. Question is, who's enforcing that?!

 

This might be a little off topic but I live in Maryland and wondering how the income is in grain transport. I'd love to get into it but nervous at the same time. I see locals up and down area roads all the time.

 

I finished corn planting on my own farm last week, have some to plant for a neighbor, but was waiting for the "rain". I'm like you wheathauler, only about .2". Son has been pulling a cattle pot about 3-4 days a week, until I need him. Talked to local Coop manager yesterday, he said they still have quite a bit of grain to move out of their elevators before wheat harvest. Don't know what local rates are, but sure not too good, with the recent rise in fuel cost.

 

During harvest time, income can be pretty good, but the hours are long. If you are going to haul grain the rest of the year, you need to find some elevators and farmers with a lot of bins. Even once you're established, it can be hit and miss. Our 2 hoppers haven't moved in 3 weeks.