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Post by mixerkid on Jan 31, 2008 23:34:40 GMT -5
I have just started with a company and have only 2.5 days on the job. I have worked for a family owned trash company until we sold the company in 05'. I have driven many big trucks in the past and driving is not even an issue. I am a little scared once we arrive on the jobs because I feel that I am going to do somthing wrong. My first job was a small flatwork job and the contractor kept snaping his fingers and saying come on come on, lets go. I was ready to give up. Like any other rodeo rider, I got back on the horse and it's been going better. Is there any trade secrets that I need to know? I work at a mid sized company with about 30 mixers and I enjoy the job. I feel that I will be in good shape by the time things pick up in the spring. I am glad to find this forum. Keep up the good work and keep it safe out there.
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Post by mixerkid on Jan 31, 2008 23:39:06 GMT -5
One more thing... I don't want to ask a dumb question to a co-worker so I can ask here and not feel so dumb. Is it OK to be up on the rear platform while the truck is reved up and the drum is in full charge or do you keep it at an idle while you wash down the inside of the drum.
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gant
Junior Member
Posts: 12
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Post by gant on Feb 1, 2008 9:12:42 GMT -5
did they have you ride with anyone before they sent you out on your own?? and yeah you can get on top of the truck while its mixing.. just be careful.. and when you were pouring the other day what where they doing?? driveway, sidewalk, porch?? etc.. were they using the chutes or wheel barrows or a buggy??
also dont be afraid to ask the guys at work stuff.. thats what they're there for.. well the guys at my plant are good guys and they give you shlt but only if they like you...
I've been at my company for a little less than a year but I got lucky that were so busy I've only been called off 3 days all year and I have 23 drivers under me on seniority..and have 17 ahead and the company isnt going anywhere.. we're the largest in the midwest with over 20 plants and 400 trucks and we've been in business for over 80 years
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Post by BillyCement on Feb 1, 2008 12:45:30 GMT -5
I've been driving a mixer for over 30 years. Gant is right, don't be afraid to ask questions. Your co-workers were new on the job at one time, too. Don't worry about making mistakes. Any mistake you make has been made many times before. When it comes to adding water I'll usually make it a little stiffer than the customer asks for and then if he wants more water in it he'll let me know. It's better than making it too wet right from the beginning. Don't let the customer intimidate you either. When they try to hurry things along I tend to ignore them. The load is mixed when I'm satisfied that it's mixed. You'll eventually get into a routine and it'll become second nature to you. Good luck.
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Post by mixerkid on Feb 1, 2008 14:56:37 GMT -5
Grant, on the job I talked about, we were pouring into a bobcat bucket and yes they had me riding with another driver. Thanks for the help guys and I am sure I will have more questions in the near future.
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Post by Cover Driver on Feb 1, 2008 17:35:12 GMT -5
I give you some Free advise about dumb.
You may feel you don't want to ask questions at work because you seem dumb, only natural.
But if you make a big mistake that would be dumber and even dangerous.
When I started out I when out for a few days then was thrown into the deep end at Carney Wharf when it was in full swing many years ago.
The first time I pulled up to a pump on that site it was dark and I got out of the truck, walker straight up the pump operator and told him I never done this before so if there any problems its not because I'm dumb, let me know anything I'm doing wrong.
I done this for the first week and I got through it.
I see people come in and don't last a week, I even seen people last a day or two.
Ask questions because its a lot dumber causing a accident.
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Post by Mort on Feb 5, 2008 23:36:20 GMT -5
Welcome to the wonderful world of redimix. I've only been doing this about a year myself, and truth be told, its a really easy job. Some contractors will be jerks to you, but you can do stuff picture perfect and they'll still be that way. Some guys just have a chip on their shoulder, ya know?
Main thing is, keep the shiny side up. We've had two trucks tip over in the last year, its easy to do. Just remember, most of the weight is on the left, but it moves to the right when you're pouring. And its moving, and its high, so watch yourself in corners, hills, and especially when the truck starts to lean. Muddy, leaning hills scare me to death, and they probably will for a long time.
Main thing is, don't be in a hurry. I'm guessing you're paid by the hour, so what do you care if you take a bit longer? Do everything safely, if you're not sure about a jobsite, walk it. If they want you to hurry up, tell them you're making sure the job is safe, and if they want their concrete, they'll just wait a minute. They're not going to turn away $1000 worth of concrete over a few minutes, and if your company is reputable, they'll back you if you're unsure whether something is safe.
And ask your senior drivers. I do all the time, they're a valuable source of free information. Just take what they tell you and adapt it to what works for you.
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Post by lafargeslave on Mar 26, 2008 17:54:25 GMT -5
it is a job that depends on mostly on the job training. you will always run into a type of pour that you didnt get to see when in training. you will get a feel for things as you gain more time. I used to hate hand curb, curb machines, dot loads. every jobsite is different too. you will destroy your fair share of tires from running over stuff due to doing a lot of manuvering in tight spots. one thing to remember is not to trust the spotter. most of the time the spotter is looking at you in the driverside mirror, not looking at the passenger side fender or rear tire running up over rebar. if you have to, stop the truck and get out and look for yourself. there are plenty of million mile OTR drivers that have been humbled when driving a mixer. you will forget to fill your water tank. you will get lost. A lot of turn over is not becuase the driver couldnt do the job, its becuase the driver is not used to the level of bull that comes with mixer driving. driving down the interstate and bumping docks is easy. for me it is every day that I am remined that the driver is the excuse for everything that is wrong. late delivery, drivers fault. wrong mix, drivers fault. truck broke down, drivers fault. and so on. you will learn tips to save you some grief. like get a trash bag and carry extra fiber packs in the cab under the passenger seat. sooner or later you will get to a job site and realize you didnt read the ticket and see that you were supposed to add fiber to the load. no problem, you have spares under the seat and can correct the situation with no one the wiser. or there is no fiber on the ticket yet the contractor wants fiber. again your covered. otherwise you get to drive back to the plant to get it or wait for the next truck to come out and bring you some. spare fiber is also usfull if your load is a little wet and they are going to reject it. if it is a non commercial job, you can ussually talk the guy into using the fiber to dry the load up so it is ussable. remember, you can always add more water at the job site, but you cant get it back out. I always watch the dump truck drivers at sites and think "wow that really looks easier" and it is. If you can run a mixer, you can do any other type of truck. good luck
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Post by Mort on Mar 26, 2008 20:47:34 GMT -5
it is a job that depends on mostly on the job training. you will always run into a type of pour that you didnt get to see when in training. That's for sure. I did maybe 1-2 chute jobs my whole time training (mostly pumps), and didn't even know what a curb machine looked like until about 6 months into it. But its just about paying attention and not having the you-can't-teach-me-anything-because-I-already-know-everything attitude. |
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Post by concretejoe on Mar 28, 2008 11:35:06 GMT -5
Mixerkid,
Welcome to the fold. My first bit of advice is not to worry about doing something wrong because you will. There is no way around it. Even seasoned veterans do things wrong. Ask any contractor. Pick one person to listen to on the jobsite. Do your best to not make them work any harder than they have towork. Roll up your window, smile and kill'em with kindness. You'll get it eventually.
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Post by LEAD DOG on Mar 30, 2008 19:33:07 GMT -5
Mixerkid, Welcome to the fold. My first bit of advice is not to worry about doing something wrong because you will. There is no way around it. Even seasoned veterans do things wrong. Ask any contractor. Pick one person to listen to on the jobsite. Do your best to not make them work any harder than they have towork. Roll up your window, smile and kill'em with kindness. You'll get it eventually. COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER THAN THAT  ! |
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