Mixer Drivers

Just got my Class A CDL last week with tanker/hazmat endorsements. I am scheduled to go to orientation with US Xpress next week. Will be doing a dedicated regional account. I've had several years driving Class B prior to the upgrade. Figured it is time for the tractor trailer life. I am not under contract with any company.

But now I'm thinking about being home every night as I have 2 boys ages 3 & 5 at home. So I have been researching Mixer jobs as well as garbage truck jobs. So what if they aren't "glamorous" jobs, from what I'm researching it seems like the pay ain't bad?? I can handle hard work. Spent 9 years in the Air Force and then Army previously, so I understand what hard work and commitment mean. I'm 38 years old and live in the Dallas area (Plano, TX). Construction is booming here in both business and residential.

So what u guys think I should do? What is the average pay for a rookie Mixer driver in my area these days??

Any feedback is greatly appreciated! God Bless

 

I have been on the air hammer a few times inside the drum itself in a mixer. About once a year, it has to be done otherwise that concrete will build up, binding to itself. Gaining weight and taking away from fresh concrete and literally begin to cheat the scales, skew the paid amounts from contractors (I bought 5 yards to pour myself once in two hours pending detention of 65 dollars a third or more hours each if I don't call off the job in 2 hours.) It needs to be 5 yards in that drum. Not 4 due to concrete buildup. Do you understand?

There is a plate on the drum. It's big enough for a man to get in. The drum itself is also locked out with wedges hammered into place then large screws applied with tools until wedges wont move, drum wont move. Truck engine is disabled, basically stabotaged because it cannot be permitted to turn over for any reason. I got to eff up my engine, with the idea I need to put it back in order when done...

Theoratically the last little bit of concrete is dumped into the waste pond at the ready mix plant at each job that is complete. But it does not always happen, you get right under the boot to load more concrete and back to the job waiting on you. (Remember, they have two hours to get you off the job or they pay the detention time)

I found the air hammers a destructive force against my skeleton. There was a previously undiagnosed bone loss that was revealed after the jackhammering over 3 days was completed. Theoratically according to the state, I was eligble to file disability and workman's comp to alot of money against Razorback but I chose not to. Partly because I needed to preserve my ability to hire on with someone else and here in Arkansas People talk very badly about bad employees who file for that sort of stuff. A value is placed on health and good work. So I let that one go. It bought me another 10 years or so before the damage became too great.

It was a interesting exercise. But I don't want anyone to have to do that sort of thing. Those hammers weigh about 30 pound and got about 130 pound PSI air flowing through them. The exhaust port happens to be about 6 inches or less from your eyes. Eye protection is generally inadequate.

And the dust that fills the drum? WIll eventually scour your lungs and bronchial passages until you show symptoms of astma. Which is literally a form of rock dust sickness. If a doctor should detect that and confirm it with a CT exam the state can order you off the workforce. There is no point in continuing to abuse yourself.

If you want to find out which person or people (Plural) is a wuss in a given concrete company, come out of the office with that jackhammer and say I need volunteers for this work on that truck.

10 to 1 about 98% of the people will find a way to take off and go fishing so that after lunch you come out ready to collar those who are last to try and disappear, those are the ones stuck with the job.

 

Most of the mixer companies around here don't have the employees chip out drums...for the very same reasons you listed.
Private contractors do most of the chipping. Less problems for the mixer company that way. The contractor carries their own W/C and liability insurance.