A few basics I’ll add are that if you think you are going to have to unload a machine yourself, make sure you load it and before you do have a play around with it at ground level so you know what does what etc. Trying to figure out unfamiliar controls when it’s parked on your trailer and the driver is nowhere to be seen is asking for trouble. As yet I’ve not managed to fall off the ground.
Which leads me to
You’ve either rolled a machine off, tipped it over or had some other pretty hairy experience in this game or you’re going to It’s a job that never stops trying to kill the unwary - get better or die trying is my motto.
A good plant driver can load anything in any condition, 3 wheels, non runner, broken track etc. There’s always a way to get things done, you just have to be creative and see what else is around that can be useful. In my 10 years of doing it, I’ve learnt a lot and still look at other loads and am prepared to listen to advice and try new ways to get things done.
I’ve had lots of help from old hands over the years and will help and assist others when it can be useful to someone else. I’ve also picked up a basic mechanical knowledge which has meant that on occasion with my odd assortment of tools and things, managed to coax a machine into enough life to get it loaded or off.
Not Plant - but this type of work can be pretty challenging,
Last abnormal job I did was this one - quite a bit of rear overhang, quite a short wheelbase on this trailer - result, a serious tail sweep
Can be interesting loading too, especially when the wheel bearings are shot, the tyres perished & and the chassis is rotten
Often get people ignoring the ■■■■■■ & driving at you - Puddle jumpers & skip lorries are the worst offenders,
Oh yes - sometimes load at just under 16’ 6" and forget the chimney.
Not Plant - but this type of work can be pretty challenging,
Last abnormal job I did was this one - quite a bit of rear overhang, quite a short wheelbase on this trailer - result, a serious tail sweep
Can be interesting loading too, especially when the wheel bearings are shot, the tyres perished & and the chassis is rotten
Often get people ignoring the ■■■■■■ & driving at you - Puddle jumpers & skip lorries are the worst offenders,
Oh yes - sometimes load at just under 16’ 6" and forget the chimney.
Swings and roundabouts with overhang though. I moved a boat last year and had to had it on a regular triaxle flat with a big overhang. Had thought really hard about trying to get hold of a trombone but in actual fact, having done it, if I had got a trombone I’d have had real trouble cutting in on quite a few turns - not saying the overhang didn’t make a few bits tight but not too bad.
Hi chaps, thanks for the continued advice, it’s all helping.
I went for my interview yesterday, which consisted of the following.
Had a quick chat with the owner, Driver the lorry round to the wash, asked to put the ramps down, asked to get a genie lift started and move it.
Then I had to drive it to the back of the trailer and take the lift to full height( not pleasant went It felt windy lol). Had to put the genie on the trailer and chain it down.
After I took unchained and put put the lift back, had a long chat with the owner and he offered me the job and said he was impressed with what I had done/learnt as I went.
Told me about the job and it sounds amazing, can’t wait to start!
Although I have week 1 shadowing a driver, week 2 I do my ipaf certificate/ load and unloading certificate and maybe out on my own week 3.
Thanks again guys.
If your using trailers without hydraulic ramps then you may want to strap the ramps when loading if they can’t be pinned in place ,I’ve cost my self a few quid with ramps jumping out especially driving on to the neck with lorries ,also I’ve loaded lorries with overhang that went on ok but the ground to unload on was not good and the back end grounds out as the back axle comes off the ramps so I put them in gear with the hand brake off and drive the semi low out instead .
Dan Punchard:
If your using trailers without hydraulic ramps then you may want to strap the ramps when loading if they can’t be pinned in place ,I’ve cost my self a few quid with ramps jumping out especially driving on to the neck with lorries ,also I’ve loaded lorries with overhang that went on ok but the ground to unload on was not good and the back end grounds out as the back axle comes off the ramps so I put them in gear with the hand brake off and drive the semi low out instead .
