Just want abit of advise, I am at the mo on containers out of Felixstowe, but I have been offered the chance to go and sub for a pretty well know bulk powder firm in the Derbyshire Dales.
Just wondered what you guys and gals thought to this, never done this type of work before, but the advantages are, its on my doorstep not 3hrs 40 min away like Felixstowe is, I will be able to get home in the week unlike now, - this will be good as im about to become a dad, money is about the same as what im earning on the boxes, alot quicker tips and no reloads, no closed docks because of the wind, mileages per week are lower-fuel about the same because of them dam hills!
What are your thoughts/advice, what is the bulk tanker job like on the whole? Is there plenty of work or is it like the rest of the industry at the mo and on its knees? Would I be better sticking to the boxes for the time being and fighting for the not so good work thats about, and the ever increasing number of companies that seem to be dropping on at the mo or going for it with this new job? The company in question says they have been quiet but it is picking up now and along with the new work they have, work will be consistant. They have a number of new trucks and trailers ready to hit the road next month and they do have quite a few other subbies on and they seem to be doing ok too.
Thanks for your comments and advice will be very much appreciated.
never done the bulk tankers personally,but, from what i know, you will need more kit attatching to your vehicle, such as PTO’s and pumps, also, your engine will be running more to work the PTO and pump, so, more fuel there too.
if it is possible, try and talk to the subbies that are already on for the firm
Thanks for the reply, forgot to mention that all the bulkers have donkey engines fitted to them, the firm maintains the trailers fully inc tyres, red diesel etc.
Really am 50 50 with it, dont want to jump and regret it, but dont want to stay on the boxes and regret it either, just think that now every Tom, ■■■■ and Harry is dropping onto the boxes, now their work is slack, even though they all say container work is the worst work around, and the rates are rubbish they are doing it and taking up the work that is there for us that have been doing it for ages/years.
Will try and speak to some of the lads on there, but they would like a decision either way at some point this week, just wanted to try and get some other views and opinions on bulk tanker work and what its like at the mo.
I know someone that does tank work. It has busy periods like now up to xmas (he does flour/sugar) hes always max weight and has just bought a new Scania as he needs a reliable truck. The rates are good as its specialist and he doesnt worry about big boys poachin but the company ha pulls for has to tender rates every year and they always win some work aswell as loosing some.
All in all its good.
The type of work that they specialise in is cement and lime. They also have flats and tautliners that run along side the tankers, so if its quiet on the tanks then they can/will give you a job on the flats or tautliners.
This has got to be better than being stuck in Orwell truckstop with a skeli on your back with a loaded box when Felixstowe is shut yet again!
I really do like the idea of having ago, its a change from my normal work, better work and rates, closer to home etc, and im making more business contacts its just having the b***s to to go and do it.
One thing about a powder tank that you might consider is that the work can be very dusty indeed.
You’ll only leave your cab window open once during top-loading to find this out.
On a more serious note, you’ll need to beware of tipping tanks (if they have them) for two reasons:
You need very firm and level ground to tip them, and
Your payload is usually somewhat lower with a tipping tank, which might make a difference to your rate when compared to guys pulling the same product using a non-tipping tank.
Just a couple of thoughts of the hopefully helpful variety…
You wont use a tipping tank these days on lime and cement, because of the payload, capital cost and nervous health and safety types, although with correct use of rear stabiliser legs, preferably hydraulic ones, they are very stable. Tippers are used mainly for plastics and foodstuffs which need a clean tank, you can’t clean a bellytank sufficiently thoroughly, but the rates for plastics and food grade are generally much higher than for lime and cement.
Having done powder tanks for many years, these days just as a part time driver but at one time as an OD, although always with tipping silos.I would say that the good points are, quick loading and tipping usually, but if the silo is full, then its full; they cant just “see if we can find a corner”, however when this happens you should be paid demurrage at a sensible rate.
Whilst its true that you will be getting higher rates in general than you do for boxes, don’t forget that the costs are also higher. Like any other job though its not all roses and you will find some rates which are frankly no better than tipper rates.
The downside is heavy fuel consumption due to always being at top weight. You will find that many places load you stood on a weighbridge, so heavy doesn’t mean over 40t, it means a weight ticket stamped at 43980,everytime! Also perhaps surprisingly, tanks have very poor aerodymamics, its all the lids, catwalks, pipe boxes etc. If you are on quarry and cement work, its dirty, plastics is a different ball game and generally very clean.
You can also expect a good deal more excercise than you get on boxes, a lot of climbing up and down ladders, and lugging big pipes around. Whether thats good or bad is down to personnal choice.
It’s many years since I did bulk powder work but generally speaking I enjoyed it. Have they taken some of the skill out of avoiding blocked pipes by balancing air and product with modern systems? If not, that is one thing to consider. If you put too much air up you blow the silo, too little and it means disconnecting everything and getting very dusty.
The boxes will always be there, if it don’t work out just go back.
I agree, look at the positves, home more during the week, about to become a dad, the wife will want you home more I would think anyway, so bite the bullet and go for it, you’ll do no worse than the boxes.
Spend some time out learning how to tip different products, there are many different grades of limestone which need different methods. If it’s all belly tanks you’ll not get an accurate weighing device, clocks are ok but need flat level ground.
You will run at full weight so a unit with a decent size engine and a good set of brakes are a basic. Construction is quiet, but we run for glassworks which seem generally more reliable (que market collapse ) . You could also be doing feed mills etc. May reload from docks - slow & very dusty, but for all that when it’s going well it’s a decent job. Don’t need to wait for someone to tip you, as long as the pipe is free you get on and get blowing.
P.S. Can you PM me who this is as due to “company restructuring” I need new employment ■■
Thanks for the advice, I was just abit worried with the state of the industry at the min, and didnt no whether to jump or not, but I have decided im going to give it ago.
Phoned them yesterday and spoke to the TM, he is going to tell the BOSS and then we will take it from there, sorting ins etc out. Yesterday did it 7 3/4 hrs tipping at Argos at Haywood.
hi.check out your insurance it will cost you to upgrade and not all will cover tipping tankers.i did some for a barnsley company.loads of empty running.hereford to felixstowe.barnsley to sunbury.but that was plastics.rates no better than general haulage.compressor long since sold.not my cup of tea.best of luck whatever you decide
But to add, construction is quietening down, spoke to my old boss last week and they are struggling on the DSM side, he has one full time on cement now and looking to sell one. If its who I think it is some of the lime goes to water treatment works so that keeps going all year round.
Knowing some of the rates I can’t see you being worse off than what your earning now on containers, the bonus will be some home life.
I haven’t done tankers but I have done Bulk blowers…same principle…
If this firm does limestone that is used in the manufacture of animal feed as well as construction, animal feeds are seasonal as in summer is quiet but wintertime is very busy at a time when construction is quieter.
I think from your earlier posts that you have already made the decision but just wanted it confirmed.
Go for it …like others have said you can always go back to other work…at the end of the day its paying your wages and you get home more…bonus all round IMO
Go for it, I wouldn’t want to go back on the box’s, especially from Felix with the stoppages they keep throwing up. Ok although my days of keeping a white T-shirt clean whilst driving the truck are over I’m as happy as a pig in ■■■■ doing what I do now
You’ll only leave your cab window open once during top-loading to find this out. 
) . You could also be doing feed mills etc. May reload from docks - slow & very dusty, but for all that when it’s going well it’s a decent job. Don’t need to wait for someone to tip you, as long as the pipe is free you get on and get blowing.