Looking for information on harvest hauling

May 21, 2021 at 03:52 PM CST + 4
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I have a couple of trucks and hoppers and would like to get in on some harvesting. My question is, is it better to haul for the elevators or the cutters? I would appreciate any helpful advice on this matter.

Replied on Sat, May 22, 2021 at 10:00 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. In my experience the Custom Cutters want you to just be a driver and use their truck and trailer. I custom hauled for a producer up here in Montana last summer and hauled for the elevator on rain/dry out days or days the producer was down due to break downs etc. I was going to go down to Iowa and help a Co-Op during corn harvest but I didn't like the rate they were offering so I stayed home and hauled cows.

Replied on Sat, May 22, 2021 at 10:00 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

In my experience the Custom Cutters want you to just be a driver and use their truck and trailer. I custom hauled for a producer up here in Montana last summer and hauled for the elevator on rain/dry out days or days the producer was down due to break downs etc. I was going to go down to Iowa and help a Co-Op during corn harvest but I didn't like the rate they were offering so I stayed home and hauled cows.

Replied on Sat, May 22, 2021 at 10:00 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Heres what I would do.. 1.Contact some custom cutters here on youtube 2. Telephone out to some big elevators in Kansas and talk to the guys at the desk and maybe get some pointers and leads.3. Just drive'em out there and show up and someone will need trucks. I was on wheat harvest a long time ago quite a experence..

Replied on Mon, May 24, 2021 at 07:25 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. From my experience it's better to haul for the farmer directly first. If they hired custom harvesters to cut for them then it's really not very hard to get on with the cutters for that particular contract especially when it's a really big job. Then last but no least the brokers at the elevators.

Replied on Mon, May 24, 2021 at 07:29 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I go to Washington state every year for harvest. Walk away smiling with a pile of cash. I was doing 80 miles round trip for 260$, getting 6+ loads a day from the field/elevator to a barge elevator. It usually starts end of July up there. I go up empty and come home empty, trust me when your done up there the last thing you wanna do is screw around with a load. I live in Texas.

Replied on Mon, May 24, 2021 at 07:29 AM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I go to Washington state every year for harvest. Walk away smiling with a pile of cash. I was doing 80 miles round trip for 260$, getting 6+ loads a day from the field/elevator to a barge elevator. It usually starts end of July up there. I go up empty and come home empty, trust me when your done up there the last thing you wanna do is screw around with a load. I live in Texas.

Replied on Mon, May 24, 2021 at 07:29 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. We have done both, where we haul for a custom cutter and we also haul for some elevators. We have been doing it since 2006. Some years we send 1 truck and some years we send 3 to 5. It all depends on the wheat harvest and year. Some of my guys really like it and some dont care for it. Personally, I think its a fun lil get away, my husband would go down and I would take a week to go down and ride with him in the truck. The hospitality and the friends we have made over the years, has many memories for our family! The elevators and custom cutters we have hauled for are down to earth and they treat us well. We get invited back every year. I dont think the wheat harvest of today is what it was like many years ago and now the equipment has gotten bigger and it takes less time to harvest. I remember back in the day my husband would be gone for 40 to 60 days. He would start in Texas and end up in Kansas or Nebraska. The last 4 years my guys were only gone from 9 days to 25 days but it also all depends where you go and work as well. I would encourage you to try to experience it at least once!

Replied on Mon, May 24, 2021 at 07:29 AM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

We have done both, where we haul for a custom cutter and we also haul for some elevators. We have been doing it since 2006. Some years we send 1 truck and some years we send 3 to 5. It all depends on the wheat harvest and year. Some of my guys really like it and some dont care for it. Personally, I think its a fun lil get away, my husband would go down and I would take a week to go down and ride with him in the truck. The hospitality and the friends we have made over the years, has many memories for our family! The elevators and custom cutters we have hauled for are down to earth and they treat us well. We get invited back every year. I dont think the wheat harvest of today is what it was like many years ago and now the equipment has gotten bigger and it takes less time to harvest. I remember back in the day my husband would be gone for 40 to 60 days. He would start in Texas and end up in Kansas or Nebraska. The last 4 years my guys were only gone from 9 days to 25 days but it also all depends where you go and work as well. I would encourage you to try to experience it at least once!

Replied on Mon, May 24, 2021 at 10:32 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I do it fall and summer, haul directly from the farm and like others have said on rain days haul from the little elevators to the terminal. This is what I'm planning on till I'm close to 80 ( 65 now). But at the same time some people absolutely hate it, you're at the mercy of the farmer and weather. You may start the day at 7 am and get done at midnight. It's 7 days a week. Wheat usually last about 4-6 weeks the fall is longer.

Replied on Mon, May 24, 2021 at 10:32 AM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I do it fall and summer, haul directly from the farm and like others have said on rain days haul from the little elevators to the terminal. This is what I'm planning on till I'm close to 80 ( 65 now).

But at the same time some people absolutely hate it, you're at the mercy of the farmer and weather. You may start the day at 7 am and get done at midnight. It's 7 days a week. Wheat usually last about 4-6 weeks the fall is longer.

Replied on Mon, May 24, 2021 at 11:28 AM CST - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Is anyone looking to move fertilizer? I have a few hopper loads coming out of Stockton CA going to Pasco WA. Message me if interested.

Replied on Mon, May 24, 2021 at 12:45 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Thanks to all who took the time to respond to my question, I appreciate it.