Well, not long ago I passed my cat c with peter smythe training, with a job already on the cards. So rang my current boss up, “when can I start, I’m ready” but wasn’t as soon as doo. As I expected, had to wait for his o license upgrade. A month later I was getting a bit disheartened thinking the job was not materialising, and with my point situation as described in my previous post I knew I’d have to wait another year before any would take me on… So I was talking to a friend who said ikea want forkies, I thought I can manage with that, so arrange to get forkie license, but that night, gets a phone call, jobs ready for you now mate, lost a driver (unfortunate circumstance) arrive here at such and such time ( 4 week ago after the last bank hol) so he came and dropped off the PPE needed boots hard hat gloves Hi-vis etc and explained the job!
So first week went great, first day just watched and discharged concrete from drum into pumps and washed out, second day got to drive second halve of day, and concrete duties, and then rest of week driving all day and concrete duties! So first week summary, driving a 26 tonne straight from training in a 13 tonner, what a difference! And in a range change 8 speed daf cf 75. 360 Big learning curve! Goes like clappers when empty, then when loaded my gosh it’s a different ball game, especially on a certain Corner when it has an adverse camber, my backside twitches like a rabits nose, extreme care is need as its so easy to tip, as centre of gravity is high, and the dad’s do sway a lot!! Then there Is the onsite driving, again, caution needed as there’s pot holes and metal spikes from piling in the ground (bang goes the tyre!) and the reversing onto pumps, and also not to mention stupid places where the pump person wants me to put the 26 tonne on ground and clearance barely good enough to handle anything more then a Citroen 2cv 
but it does give me brilliant experience in getting it in and in place in h perfect on my first week a huge satisfaction! then there is back it under the plant to get loaded, not easy at first but once told to get on with it thrown in, it was actually easy, just don’t get to complacent keep checking referance points. Then Parkini g brake, charge the drum and stick the revs on, connect the water and go to office, get paper work, then slump the load, struggling with this bit first few weeks, and only the last few days after 3 weeks am I getting the grips of it! So I was shadowing with some one called Liam for 2 week! Had a great time! Couldn’t wait to get out there!
Had a week off, then to start on my own (started last Monday) so had a truck waiting for me, and old truck though, known really as the great for training truck, 2004 MAN 280 which I do not think it’s got any more! Lol first day, did 2 loads working out of ashbridge in york, where my boss is based so he can keep an eye on me see how I get on, didn’t have to worry about slumps as dispatchers did that for me so easy first day, had a chat with boss, and the truck, well, it’s slow! Very, it’s tired in my opinion, a hard life with 246k on clock! But he did say he will map it for me as he has been thinking about doing it anyway also he is goig to be respraying and reskining the drum and whole body of the truck as its in a sorry state! So happy days everyone getting to know me shaking my hand helping me out with everything and also a great laugh especially my first load, took my boss by surprise, on first day boss said get used to truck and drive around for an hour or so, well, the batchers loaded me straight away and sent me on my way which I was happy with! I was confident, and loved it, and my boss was surprised and actually really happy and was having a great laugh about the situation, ok your reading that bit and thinking, doesn’t sound that funny, but I
If you was there you would see where I am coming from lol well, great first day then I’m at my base plant in york, and Had a ■■■■ first day at base plant, everything was t going right for me! But cracked on and learnt from it! Then on Thursday, “could you check my slump I think it’s ok” the reply was have confidence in yourself just take it lad! Ok sir on my way, was a little dry and a big deal as wasn’t alowed to add water on site on this pour but the guys knew I was new from been there before and just said add 50 litre, so happy days they cut me slack and didn’t reject my load result! Got it perfect next time though!! Then, next day (Friday) a good day, wanted a s3 consistence 130 slump which I’m sure I got it right but on site they wanted it wetter up, the words I loved hearing from the pump driver was, ■■■■ it up as much as you can mate I’ll sign it! Bang on dead easy! Gave me great experience for doing my own slumps!
So what I think, a lot of stress atm due to learning curve, but really loving it! Love having my own truck and love the places I can get it in now, really tight places and mud ruts where motorcross riders will be at home! Lol but it’s an amazing feeling nailing it!
Anyways I’ll stop here, I could go into more detail iv only scratched the surface, here’s some pics of the 2 trucks, Liam’s daf and my man, hope I have not bored you too much!
