Muck Boots 'n' Slickers - Life of a Livestock Hauler

I have always bought a new pair of boots before needed and kept the others to load in. It’s nice to be comfortable if you have to move in a hurry.


Summer especially I just load in the same set of clothes all week then change after I pull off the chute. Ya it’s a lot of trouble but I hate driving in wet clothes so it seems to save on laundry but who knows.


I have noticed a lot of younger guys getting in. A lot of the places that we go are small family operations, their house is right by the chute. Keep your Jake off, not everyone likes hearing it especially at 3am. Turn your headlights off pulling in to keep them out of the house. Also don’t be hooping hollering and cussin to get them off.

 

In the last year or so I have began wearing Tingley lightweight knee boots. Made out of some material like crocs. Weigh probably half of what the old rubber ones do. Makes me feel 10 years younger every time I blast up the ramp...

 

The closest I ever got to being a cattle hauler was parking next to him in a truckstop, or delivering a brand new trailer. (nice piece of equipment before they get used) I always refrained from complaining about it because I like a good steak dinner or a side of bacon with breakfast. A close friend of mine was in and out of the business for several years, and has answered many of my questions about this unique end of trucking.
Those of you who do it have my utmost respect. I am glad you folks like your job, and I am sure you shake your head when you hear stories of mine delivering office furniture for 20 + years to NYC and lower Manhattan, where the bull is just a symbol.
Thanks.

 

I use to hate putting the eye goggles on the cows. But it had to be done cause those 80 plus mph winds can be brutal.

 

Been wearing them for a while now. Only drawback is they dont come in steel toe. Sows and boars are hard on toes. As far as unloading clothes go we get a set of disposable coveralls that get tossed every load. Biosecurity isn't lax like it was years ago.

 

Does running pneumatic tanker out of Dodge City count?
I know all about the bovine slamming me against the wall. Gotta be more careful going into bars.

 

I used to wear a pair of carhartt overalls to load in. They have a pair of non insulated ones that have a zipper up to the hip that are easy to put on and remove.

 

As far as loading and unloading garb , most of mine come from a local military surplus/ prepper's store. I got a few sets of old scrubs- top and bottoms- I can jerk on quick. Also, have a couple of long lab smocks for hot weather and a couple of pair of key short sleeve jumpsuits like the vets wear and a uninsulated military flight suit. Something on the head is a good plan too. My wife says green hair is not becoming of me.