Throwing tarps

ManCard confirmed! I will drink my next TWO beers in your honor.

Anyways, OP...Mr ft60 may be a professional tough guy with a tolerance of pain produced from Evil Knievel stem cells. Plus he's been at it for a few decades...he knows how to work smarter. Only you know what you can take.

 

There was a guy in the heavy haul division where I used to work who had a fake leg. Honestly, I would not have probably noticed if the guy at the safety meeting didn't bring it up. Where there's a will there's a way I guess. Personally, I think the worst thing for your back is just bouncing down the road 120,000 miles / year. Movement is probably good as long as you stretch first and don't strain.

I was reading some interesting things a few months ago about just how bad sitting really is. It suggests that in primitive societies where people still prefer to squat than sit it is a healthier lifestyle. Squatting gives you a broader range of movement, better circulation, and continuous muscle reflex. Of course we Americans (most of us) don't have the muscle development necessary to accomplish a natural squat and work from that position. I dunno, thought it was interesting stuff.

 

Not a tough guy you just lean to work smarter watching other people techniques. Like dont thow a strap over hand , I have to stand back and throw side arm.

 

Yep...an ole' die hard!

 

You liar, more like a hundred and sixty.

 

Maybe try a curtain side? I pulled a groan muscle once and lemme tell ya,.. I had 2 tarp loads during that time, granted they were easy. 1 was two stainless coated coils and the other was some aluminum in crates that the receiver wanted tarped. I was miserable tarping both of those loads. Not a back injury,.. but a situation where I had to deal with pain while getting my job done. Personally,.. I wouldnt do flatbed with that type of condition. Its not worth it. Maybe try a reefer company that pays all lumper fees,.. or try a van with no touch policy.

A lot of climbing, bending over, pulling etc in any kind of weather. Rain, snow, ice and cold have no mercy with flatbedders.

Hurst

 

Spyder u just a puppy yet. A hairless one at that

 

I wouldn't personally. I understand the need to get out of turning wrenches, but with the need to chain sometimes climbing in, around, on top of machinery, then tarping it, that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. I don't have any back problems, but I have pulled a core muscle back there while on the road. I made sure I only had long hauls that required minimum labor to load/unload during that time, but I run my own truck. Working for someone would be an entirely different deal. I've known plenty of guys that pulled van/reefer/container trailers after their bodies gave up on flatbed. I do question how much bouncing around just driving will hurt your back as well.

 

Don't do it. Sometimes it even bothers me at 35 with no previous back issues, like this load yesterday where I had to use 4 tarps on this oversize and I found myself about to pass out, that was from the 105 Texas heat/humidity more than anything though.