|
|
Post by Yard Bird on Dec 24, 2008 10:18:33 GMT -5
Alright those of you that have been doing this, for what seems to be forever. How about passing on a few time tested tips for the new guys. I have a few just to put my 2 cents in. 1. Always remember cover your a%$, most customers don't care about you, your truck or your job. Loyalty is a thing of the past, all they care about is getting their mud where they want it. Say no if its not safe, I've never seen anyone that refused putting the truck in danger loose their job. 2. Save your money, rainy days always come 3. Never put elk bones, a shirt, cap, shoes and pants into a driver's truck that never reverses his drum before loading. (the company has no sense of humor anymore.  . I just had to throw that in....lol 4. Finally no matter how far your company's running behind, never, never, let dispatch push you faster, that's when accidents happen. Work at your own pace on time or behind. |
|
|
|
Post by concretejoe on Dec 24, 2008 17:29:28 GMT -5
1). It's a concrete truck. It will get concrete on it.
2). You are Captain of the ship.
3). It will get there when it gets there.
4). Slump meters lie.
5). Only I know everything. So take it easy on yourself.
6). Put 10% of your check away for winter time.
7). Radios do turn off.
8). No load of concrete is worth not going home at night.
9). Learn to let things go in one ear and out the other. Don't be SNIOP!
10). Have fun! You spend most of your life in that mixer, might as well have fun doing it.
|
|
|
|
Post by LEAD DOG on Dec 25, 2008 20:01:34 GMT -5
DAMN JOE, THAT WAS ALMOST POETIC  ! AND I LIKED WHAT YOU SAID TOO! PUT EM' ON A STONE TABLET AND WE'LL CALL EM' "10 COMMANDMENTS of the MIXER DRIVERS"....OH...AND CHANGE YER SCREEN NAME TO "COOL JOE" .......I WOULD LIKE TO ADD ONE MORE THOUGH..."CONCRETE AIN'T SNOT! I CAN'T SUCK IT BACK UP THE CHUTE"  .
|
|
|
|
Post by mauserman on Dec 25, 2008 21:33:13 GMT -5
If you catch it under the plant it's the batchman's mistake.
If it makes it to the job site it's your fault.
Always start your discharge slowly. Finishers will forgive you if they have to ask you to speed up but will hate you forever if you leave them a pile.
Always refill your water tank before you leave the yard - it's just cheap insurance.
When it doubt walk it out.
Don't drive the mixer across the pretty green strip of grass in the backyard unless you want to be in a world of sh!t.
I'm a lazy guy so I do it right the first time 'cuz I don't want to do it twice.
The finisher you have never seen before will be come a steady customer if you piss him off and you'll get his jobs every time.
Take it a little dry - you can always add water but you can't suck it out.
You are a professional driver in a world of amateurs.
You must not respond to road rage with the same.
Never pop the top until the work has come to a stop.
|
|
|
|
Post by BillyCement on Dec 26, 2008 8:09:47 GMT -5
Elk bones?
|
|
|
|
Post by LEAD DOG on Dec 26, 2008 11:06:07 GMT -5
Billy....do we really want to know? 
|
|
|
|
Post by Mort on Dec 26, 2008 13:49:39 GMT -5
What's a SNIOP?
|
|
|
|
Post by concretejoe on Dec 27, 2008 16:28:26 GMT -5
SNIOP- Suggestible to the Negative Influences of Other People
In other words, don't let other people decide how you will react to life. If someone wants to be negative then let them. It does not mean that you have to join them. Let it go in one ear and out the other.
|
|
|
|
Post by concretejoe on Dec 27, 2008 16:30:55 GMT -5
Think about it. What would you do if the first load in the morning had clothes, a hat, boots and bones in it? |
|
|
|
Post by BillyCement on Dec 27, 2008 17:33:30 GMT -5
Think about it. What would you do if the first load in the morning had clothes, a hat, boots and bones in it? |
|
|
|
Post by BillyCement on Dec 27, 2008 17:34:32 GMT -5
Billy....do we really want to know? |
|
|
|
Post by LEAD DOG on Dec 27, 2008 21:20:34 GMT -5
OKAY BILLY....IT'S YER CALL BUT WHEN I GET ALL ITCHY LIKE THAT I USE PREPARATION "H"....IT GOES AWAY IN A MINUTE OR TWO ;D....BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE A SNIOP YA KNOW.... ..................
|
|
|
|
Post by Yard Bird on Dec 28, 2008 15:29:09 GMT -5
You want to see a job site come to a screeching halt fast, wait till bones and clothes come down the chute 1st load. If you have any, lets say superstitious crew workers or Illegal's on the site watch em scatter. If they don't get the heevy jeevy's 1st I can tell you they know the cops are on the way and that's one job site know one wants to be on that day. PS When I heard the driver get on the radio and explain what was happening on that job, I about fell out of the cab........  |
|
|
|
Post by imidrvr on Dec 29, 2008 19:57:30 GMT -5
1. If you drive a front discharge, use the brakes EASY!. A six inch slump or wetter will come rushing out of the truck on a hard stop.
2. Never let the customer talk you into putting on more chutes than your truck carries.
3. Six wheel drive does not mean the truck will go through anything, in fact they will get hung up quite easily.
4. Ready mix trucks will turn upside down at the blink of an eye, watch quick maneuvers and getting sideways on hills.
Most of my experience is in a front discharge, so you take my advice knowing that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mort on Dec 30, 2008 14:35:34 GMT -5
SNIOP- Suggestible to the Negative Influences of Other People In other words, don't let other people decide how you will react to life. If someone wants to be negative then let them. It does not mean that you have to join them. Let it go in one ear and out the other. Nice! That's been my philosophy for a long time, I never knew they had a name for it. imidriver, I love #3. I'll usually give it a shot, if its safe and they sign a liability waiver, but that front axle is just a last ditch attempt at best. I've found it most useful climbing small hills that you DON'T want to slide down. |
|
|
|
Post by concretejoe on Dec 30, 2008 18:51:36 GMT -5
Think about it. What would you do if the first load in the morning had clothes, a hat, boots and bones in it? Would you prefer they use human bones? If so, where do you suggest they procure them for such a joke? I guess someone hunts elk and had some laying around. |
|
|
|
Post by LEAD DOG on Jan 12, 2009 9:50:33 GMT -5
imidriver, I love #3. I'll usually give it a shot, if its safe and they sign a liability waiver, but that front axle is just a last ditch attempt at best. I've found it most useful climbing small hills that you DON'T want to slide down.[/quote] I'M WITH YOU MORT! IF IT'S WITHIN THE REALMS OF COMMON SENSE AND THE WAIVER IS SIGNED.....GOSH! THAT'S PRETTY MUCH A LICENSE TO KILL IN MY BOOK! ESPECIALLY WITH A RHINO ;D! OH YEAH! |
|
|
|
Post by mauserman on Jan 15, 2009 12:38:09 GMT -5
One more bit of wisdom I try to instill in trainees:
Don't believe that just because the customer ordered it he knows what the hell to do with it.
In other words, you may have to tell him basic things such as, "You know, I can add water" or "Hey that chute will move left and right" or "Ya know, I can move the truck - you guys don't have dump the entire nine yards in the center and spread it out" or (my favorite) "Yes sir, I understand that you've been driving your 1/2 ton Chevy in and out of there all day but my loaded mixer is just a teensy bit heavier" ;D.
|
|
|
|
Post by dolese203653 on Jan 26, 2009 22:38:49 GMT -5
Don't wear your hardhat while you are driving Disconnect the GPS that goes to the radio When you switch from a 9 yarder to a 10 1/2 truck, remember that the pusher axels ARE steering tires and will cause oversteer till you are used to it
|
|
|
|
Post by dolese203653 on Jan 26, 2009 22:46:13 GMT -5
Don't wear your hardhat while you are driving Disconnect the GPS that goes to the radio When you switch from a 9 yarder to a 10 1/2 truck, remember that the pusher axels ARE steering tires and will cause oversteer till you are used to it Tell the customer that the camera on your gathering hopper isnt working so he doesnt try to signal you from directly behind the truck Last but not least---take a construction Spanish class at night school. When a person comes to this country he tries to learn our language. No matter where you are in this country, the prevailing 2nd language is Spanish. If you dont know a minimum of Spanish, (asking how much water or how many yards of concrete) you should consider yourself ignorant.
|
|
|
|
Post by Yard Bird on Jan 27, 2009 10:59:08 GMT -5
A Spanish class is a good idea, I'm not prejudice but last time I checked the dollar is still English and so are the pay checks we get. We have 3 drivers that came from Mexico the legal way and believe it or not they speak better English than some of the drivers. Why should I have to learn another language just because others won't or don't want to learn English?. All the immigrants that came through Ellis island did in fact sooner or later did learn English because they knew that to better themselves it was the national language. If you act stupid then thats what you all you will become, if you better yourself then so many other doors open for you and for Spanish speaking workers as well. u-tube has a video, check it out some time it really makes sense (Press One For English)........ Have a good day Old and New timers. |
|
|
|
Post by Mort on Jan 27, 2009 11:32:18 GMT -5
LOL! Engleeesh? Langweeege? Great stuff.
And I get annoyed about wearing the helmet while driving too, for some reason. The only time its on when I'm in the truck is at the plant, when I'm hopping in and out a lot. I dunno why it irritates me, but it does. There, I said it.
I agree that Spanish should not be required to work in a country where English is the accepted language (but we have no OFFICIAL language, that is your useless trivia for today). But the sad fact is, it is. So, in order to make my life easier, and myself a little more recession proof, I resolve that I will become fluent in Spanish over the next few months.
Either that, or I'll get one of those universal translators like on Star Trek.
|
|
|
|
Post by concretejoe on Jan 27, 2009 20:32:49 GMT -5
I know spanish. Taco, Burrito, Enchilada, Nacho, Tostada, Tortilla. That is about all I need to know to survive. One thing I did learn was," Tiene sufficiente concreto?" I got tired of waiting around.
|
|
gant
Junior Member
Posts: 12
|
Post by gant on Jan 27, 2009 20:52:29 GMT -5
ha.. we have a few guys that wear their hardhats while driving.. hell most of the time I forget to put mine on at the plant.. I hate the damn thing..Mine stays on the dash most of the time, where it belongs lol.. We had a guy that would wear his home, I think him and his wife had some kind of fetish, but don't hold me to it
|
|
sswt
Full Member
Posts: 37
|
Post by sswt on Apr 3, 2009 1:46:38 GMT -5
allways ask about the septic tank...and if they dont know dont go there
|
|
|
|
Post by Mort on Apr 3, 2009 12:15:34 GMT -5
allways ask about the septic tank...and if they dont know dont go there 10-4. That would be a smelly mistake, even with a waiver. |
|
|
|
Post by BillyCement on Apr 3, 2009 19:28:37 GMT -5
allways ask about the septic tank...and if they dont know dont go there
One time I asked a guy about septic tanks and he said "Nope, we have sewers here.". I said okay. Well, I found (the hard way) an abandoned septic tank from maybe 30 years ago. Nothing too dramatic happened. But, it's a day I'll never forget. |
|
|
|
Post by LEAD DOG on Apr 4, 2009 10:16:39 GMT -5
EEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! POOPY 
|
|
sswt
Full Member
Posts: 37
|
Post by sswt on Apr 4, 2009 16:46:48 GMT -5
the last outfit i drove for one of the guys died from rolling his truck after he broke through an abandoned septic
|
|
|
|
Post by LEAD DOG on Apr 4, 2009 22:57:39 GMT -5
BACK IN THE DAY I WAS STATIONED IN SOUTH KOREA. I WAS A GUNNER IN A TANK BATTALION. WE WERE ON MANEUVERS IN THE COUNTRY SIDE. OUR DRIVER TRIED TO FAST FORGE WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS AN ENTRENCHED GUN IMPLACEMENT....IT WASN'T. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A VERY, VERY, VERY LARGE COMMUNITY LATRINE USE BY THE LOCALS OF THREE NEAR-BY VILLAGES   . MAN WHAT A MESS! THE TC (tank commander) MADE HIM PRESSURE WASH THE TANK BY HIMSELF BEFORE IT WAS LOADED UP ON THE TRANSPORTS. MAN, THERE WAS CRAP STUCK IN EVERYTHING! TREADS, DRIVE SPOCKETS, BOOGY WHEELS, EVEN THE PHONE BOX ON THE ASS END OF THE TANK WAS FUDGE PACKED! THE BATTALION COMMANDERS NICKED NAMED HIM" FUDGY". THAT NAME STUCK UNTIL HE FINALLY TRANSFERED OUT HE FINALLY HAD TO USE BLEACH TO GET RID OF THAT SHI**Y SMELL .......geeeez.....some war story, huh?
|
|
. I just had to throw that in....lol
! AND I LIKED WHAT YOU SAID TOO! PUT EM' ON A STONE TABLET AND WE'LL CALL EM' "10 COMMANDMENTS of the MIXER DRIVERS"....OH...AND CHANGE YER SCREEN NAME TO "COOL JOE" 
.
. MAN WHAT A MESS! THE TC (tank commander) MADE HIM PRESSURE WASH THE TANK BY HIMSELF BEFORE IT WAS LOADED UP ON THE TRANSPORTS. MAN, THERE WAS CRAP STUCK IN EVERYTHING! TREADS, DRIVE SPOCKETS, BOOGY WHEELS, EVEN THE PHONE BOX ON THE ASS END OF THE TANK WAS FUDGE PACKED! THE BATTALION COMMANDERS NICKED NAMED HIM" FUDGY". THAT NAME STUCK UNTIL HE FINALLY TRANSFERED OUT