Question about Hauling Hay with Percentage Pay

Heres my hay hauling pics, 560 small squares on the one load, I forgot how many round bales on the other, we loaded them on the back of the mountain in the background. I had to get pulled up the hill going in and out with a tractor because it was steep and icy.

 

Good deal . Keep us posted . I'm sure you'll have plenty more questions for the experienced haulers .

 

I too, have received a job offer to begin hauling hay (Nevada, Oregon, California, Idaho & Kansas) and was told I would receive 25% of the gross. My question is gross what: per mile? or load? I was told hay hauling pay is comparable to Hazmat pay...any truth to that? I've never hauled hay and I am not familiar with the pay standards. I was also told I would average 3 loads a week (no weekends unless I wanted it) and would make at least $1000 per week...does that sound correct?

 

% is usually by the load not mileage. Hay is not a high dollar freight and sometimes has to be tarped.

 

I would be very concerned about hauling hay for percentage. If there are 500 bales on a load at $10/bale the whole load is only worth $5K. Transportation would be a relatively large percentage of value, which means buyers/sellers will work hard to keep transportation prices down. In 12 years, I have not run into many loads of hay that pay very well. Also, if you are hauling hay one way, what are you doing as a "back haul." Freight rates from NY & NJ to OH are not great.

All that being said, if you are truly getting 30% of gross rate you may be getting a great deal. 1.50/mi would equate to .45/mi. That would be 1.00/mi + FSC...which you should be able to get from any area of the country. You should find out if your employer will be taking out something for FSC prior to calculating your pay.