The good and bad times in the last few months

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Hey all,

Just thought I’d give a little update on things.

Back in April I started a new job working for stonegate farmers, when I was initially offered the job I was told it would be class 2 work collecting eggs from farms, but it’s turned out I spend more time driving artics on distribution centre runs as well for farm collections. I feel extremely lucky since before starting I only had a few weeks class 1 experience under my belt.

Now the nature of the work has been a steep learning curve.

Distribution centres, putting the trailer on a bay can be a nightmare or the easiest thing I’ve ever done, depending upon which bay and how I position myself to start with. But I swear the hardest part is getting the unit straight. Any tips?

Farm collections, finding these farms in the middle of nowhere, where sat navs are no use, tight lanes, farms with no space to spin it round. Wrong turns, leading you down dead end country lanes with no choice butto reverse up to six miles back, I find this easier than bay work for some reason.

Sorry to bore you,

Just thought I’d share.

2

They should provide mini quad bikes instead of moffett so you can reconnoiter lanes before wandering down them. Least Job becomes more fun! Even in snow!

3

dcgpx:
They should provide mini quad bikes instead of moffett so you can reconnoiter lanes before wandering down them. Least Job becomes more fun! Even in snow!

That’s be ace! A moffett would nice better than a knackered tail lift and pallet truck

4

Chunkzilla:
Hey all,

Just thought I’d give a little update on things.

Back in April I started a new job working for stonegate farmers, when I was initially offered the job I was told it would be class 2 work collecting eggs from farms, but it’s turned out I spend more time driving artics on distribution centre runs as well for farm collections. I feel extremely lucky since before starting I only had a few weeks class 1 experience under my belt.

Now the nature of the work has been a steep learning curve.

Distribution centres, putting the trailer on a bay can be a nightmare or the easiest thing I’ve ever done, depending upon which bay and how I position myself to start with. But I swear the hardest part is getting the unit straight. Any tips?

Farm collections, finding these farms in the middle of nowhere, where sat navs are no use, tight lanes, farms with no space to spin it round. Wrong turns, leading you down dead end country lanes with no choice butto reverse up to six miles back, I find this easier than bay work for some reason.

Sorry to bore you,

Just thought I’d share.

Looks like you’ve landed on your feet there well done :smiley:

A few thoughts on what you’ve written.

RDC’s ? why do you need the unit straight, granted it looks better/neater/more professional, but as long as the trailer is accessible that’s is that really matters, experience will see you right, but in general the less steering done as in a smooth arc on to the bay, will se the unit in line.

26 yrs on artics, I would never make an instructor, as I cant explain, I just do :unamused:

Finding farms ? try google maps, if you have internet access, or get (if they still do them) a Phillips county road atlas, for the main areas that you load from, I used to find them brilliant. Also try ringing the farm, to ask for directions, and access.

I too cut My teeth on farm work, 1st job was on the Pea and bean harvest, chasing the Viners at night, you could see(hear) them from miles away, but actually locating the field entrances was sometimes intresting :wink:
Then onto processing plants such as Frigoscandia at Kings Lynn or Salvesons near Lowestoft, as this was harvest work, everything seemed to be adhock temporary, and all the hoppers seemed set at the worst off positions, but you get through it and are wiser for the experience :wink:

5

eddie snax:

Chunkzilla:
Hey all,

Just thought I’d give a little update on things.

Back in April I started a new job working for stonegate farmers, when I was initially offered the job I was told it would be class 2 work collecting eggs from farms, but it’s turned out I spend more time driving artics on distribution centre runs as well for farm collections. I feel extremely lucky since before starting I only had a few weeks class 1 experience under my belt.

Now the nature of the work has been a steep learning curve.

Distribution centres, putting the trailer on a bay can be a nightmare or the easiest thing I’ve ever done, depending upon which bay and how I position myself to start with. But I swear the hardest part is getting the unit straight. Any tips?

Farm collections, finding these farms in the middle of nowhere, where sat navs are no use, tight lanes, farms with no space to spin it round. Wrong turns, leading you down dead end country lanes with no choice butto reverse up to six miles back, I find this easier than bay work for some reason.

Sorry to bore you,

Just thought I’d share.

Looks like you’ve landed on your feet there well done :smiley:

A few thoughts on what you’ve written.

RDC’s ? why do you need the unit straight, granted it looks better/neater/more professional, but as long as the trailer is accessible that’s is that really matters, experience will see you right, but in general the less steering done as in a smooth arc on to the bay, will se the unit in line.

26 yrs on artics, I would never make an instructor, as I cant explain, I just do :unamused:

Finding farms ? try google maps, if you have internet access, or get (if they still do them) a Phillips county road atlas, for the main areas that you load from, I used to find them brilliant. Also try ringing the farm, to ask for directions, and access.

I too cut My teeth on farm work, 1st job was on the Pea and bean harvest, chasing the Viners at night, you could see(hear) them from miles away, but actually locating the field entrances was sometimes intresting :wink:
Then onto processing plants such as Frigoscandia at Kings Lynn or Salvesons near Lowestoft, as this was harvest work, everything seemed to be adhock temporary, and all the hoppers seemed set at the worst off positions, but you get through it and are wiser for the experience :wink:

Cheers mate, yeah it’s not so bad. The Mrs isn’t so keen on the number of night shifts but ah well.

I guess I am just a bit too much of a perfectionist in honesty.

With the farms normally we have access to printed maps in the office, the few times I’ve come unstuck have been plans. Changing with vague directions on the blower or wrong addresses in fairness. But sometimes even with all the preparation possible, you head down the lane praying you aren’t wrong.

Everyday is a school day :laughing:

6

Chunkzilla:
With the farms normally we have access to printed maps in the office, the few times I’ve come unstuck have been plans. Changing with vague directions on the blower or wrong addresses in fairness. But sometimes even with all the preparation possible, you head down the lane praying you aren’t wrong.

Everyday is a school day :laughing:

Another tip, when you’re confronted with a lane that looks a bit unlikely, look for signs of tyre scrub from other trucks, probably not that helpful for a 2 truck a week farm, or at night. Generally though, if a premises has a lot of HGV’s visiting, and its on a small road maybe with tight access, then all the truck will be leaving tyre marks on the road in roughly the same path.

“Everyday is a school day” you’ve a wise head on your shoulders, I’m still learning after all My years. I reckon you’re made from the right stuff :wink:

Cheers mate, yeah it’s not so bad. The Mrs isn’t so keen on the number of night shifts but ah well.

Balancing this life(and all the crap that goes with it) with Family life has always been difficult, partners who’ll put up with it are rare, I’m lucky to be in that position as Mrs Snax been putting up with it for the best part off 20 yrs, so good luck with that too, it makes life so much easier when you have an understanding Mrs :wink:

7

Thanks mr snax for your kind words, I’m very lucky to have grown up around the industry as my dad was a driver, my uncles a driver and my great uncle had a small haulage firm.

That’s good advice about looking for tracks, I’ll bear that in mind in future.

I’m always looking to learn and advice my skills, I found out last night that I’m awful at blindsided reverses(had my first attempt). But I didn’t hit anything and found the bay, so I’ll call that a success.

I think she will learn in time how to put up with a driver.

8

If you’re un-sure about turning down a narrow lane park up and take a walk down there and as eddie says look for evidence of trucks going down there, look at the trees and bushes, are they snapped off at truck height etc?
Walking down a narrow lane with tree branches brushing against the top of your head is not a good sign :smiley:

9

Big Roy:
If you’re un-sure about turning down a narrow lane park up and take a walk down there and as eddie says look for evidence of trucks going down there, look at the trees and bushes, are they snapped off at truck height etc?
Walking down a narrow lane with tree branches brushing against the top of your head is not a good sign :smiley:

I’ve got to say I am prone to being over cautious with these lanes and will stretch my legs and look. I’ve yet to come completely unstuck in these lanes thankfully. I’ll just continue to use my common sense and try and stay safe. Thanks for the advice.