Is there an unofficial rate a lowloader driver can or ahould expect on non Special Types? Just interested to know what people earn if they’re willing to be open. Private/family companies, utility companies, plant hire companies, larger nationwide specialists…
How do each of the above fare on take home pay and benefits?
Cheers, NRT.
My experience is that the larger national plant hire firms don’t pay so well. Our lot pay a fair wage but expect the job to get done, it’s often a job with no help so we have to prepared to start, drive and load just about anything in any condition. I’ve just had two weeks off and there was a load of horrible jobs waiting for me on my return, some of customers will wait to get the driver they know that can do the job rather than call someone else.
Money wise I’m paid 8 hours a day basic and overtime after that. A basic week is as well paid as many jobs round here that have drivers doing nights out or shifts.
That’s on a HIAB beavertail with cover duties for lowloader, pay is the same.
Sounds very similar to one of my jobs. Appreciate your feedback.
8wheels:
My experience is that the larger national plant hire firms don’t pay so well. Our lot pay a fair wage but expect the job to get done, it’s often a job with no help so we have to prepared to start, drive and load just about anything in any condition. I’ve just had two weeks off and there was a load of horrible jobs waiting for me on my return, some of customers will wait to get the driver they know that can do the job rather than call someone else.Money wise I’m paid 8 hours a day basic and overtime after that. A basic week is as well paid as many jobs round here that have drivers doing nights out or shifts.
That’s on a HIAB beavertail with cover duties for lowloader, pay is the same.
^ that’s pretty much us too, our work is mostly own account but is on hiab tractor unit with low loader style trailer and hook loader with trailer but both mostly moving plant, containers and our own muck away.
Pay for our drivers is slightly higher, they also gained all of their licences for plant with us and have been given vito vans or showgun/pickups. They are expected to do other jobs when the trucks are not busy though, drive tractors, machines or even muck in with the lads on site.
A basic day is paid at 9 hours, Overtime is payed at the same rate, bank holidays are not worked but some weekends are expected especially in summer time.
i’ve done low loader, wide loads, long loads, the lot.
it was just driving a lorry as far as wages go.
couldn’t care less to be honest, it was more interesting than rdc work. and keeping me away from rdc’s means more than money.
low loader work can be quite specialised
therefore you need to understand the principal
of supply and demand (transport version)
the more skill you have wether use of trailer types
or ability to move plant and other stuff
will have a bearing on your wages
put simply as per all driving jobs
the money isnt as good as it could be
My job is fairly similar to the first two replies but wondered it compared to others’ and so on. I am self employed though and ut isnt my only vocation with the people I work for, that would he the main difference. I’m interested to hear other experiences to have a think about possibly going back on the books.