Broker's/ Shipper's/ Carrier's

Man I just bought a hopper 43x96x79 with ag hopper, is that going to be a big problem? I thought it would be better at the the mom and pops that we deliver to that has the slide under belt and ramp, I don't want to have to fight someone like his guy when he sees my trailer unloading at some places and blames the wait on me? Can someone chime in with some encouragement or do I need to try to find another trailer?

I got the big doors just 21" off the ground

I guess with the ONE DISLIKE, you must have got someone's panties in a wad. That's probably the same persone who parks in the fuel island so no one else can get fuel until they have taken their 30 minute break, got something to eat, used the bathroom, and thoroughly wasted everyone elses time.🤷🤯

It's interesting reading the comments here between hopper carriers. In my opinion A) If it takes longer than a half hour to unload because product doesn't flow, you showed up with the wrong equipment. B) If it takes beating the side of your equipment like it owes you money in order to get product to flow, you showed up with the wrong equipment. C) If you have to wind-row product because the receiver of that product doesn't have a pit or auger, you showed up with the wrong equipment.... When I first started with commodity hauling it only took one load of sticky DDG to cure me of ever wanting to haul commodities in a hopper. If you want to haul sticky commodities, do it with a belt, walking floor, or end dump.

Patrick,

While your irritation is understandable, I am not sure your understanding of hopper specifications is entirely accurate.

When you go to spec out new trailers depending on the company the possibilities are endless. I currently spec all my trailers with an "ag hopper" clearance since my seed customers require 22 inches of clearance under the traps, and they will measure it. I have a maximum side height of 84 inches to maximize capacity while still being able to fit under a grain vac for farm loading of organic products. I run 102 wide trailers for the additional capacity for hauling Midds and Loose soy hulls for our feed customers. I run a trap opening of 36 inches by 54 which is larger than most other manufacturers. Fainally I run a 42 foot 11 inch length for pet food plants that require less than 43 feet. I run cornhusker trailers because they worked with me to customize this specification for my operation.

I also run some "traditional" ag hoppers in the standard 40-foot long 96 wide 66-inch side wall. These trailers are Prestige brand and feature a tiny 24 x 24 trap opening which works amazing for swing hoppers and delivering to fertilizer locations. However, these trailers offer a minimum of 33-degree slope, which is the same as a Timpte commodity hopper. Some drivers prefer hauling SBM in these trailers because they empty and clean out so easily even with the small doors.

In our experience the cleanliness of the slope sheets and the care given to keep them smooth play a bigger role in if a load will come out than any other factor. That and the size and placement of Vibrators. Take note Jeff, you will be fine, just pay attention to the details.

I agree that if a person or company plans on hauling commodities they should make sure their equipment is up to the task. However, hopper clearance and door size do not play as big a role in my experience as slope cleanliness and product consistency. I could certainly be wrong, my position is coming from doing the ordering of new trailers, having 28 hoppers in the fleet, and hauling most of the products myself.

Rob

Excellent post Keith! I wouldn't consider wheat midds to be a sticky product, just bulky. A high sided hopper is just right for midds. What I'm referring to is products like DDG, hominy feed, beet shreds, and cottonseed. Those products usually pay a small premium for equipment that is self unloading, but the hopper guys seem bound and determined to make those products work in order to get that premium. For example, I used to haul a lot of beet shreds to a large receiver who had a barn for storage, but didn't have a pit or auger for a hopper to unload in. The loads paid well and were originally being run by belt and walking floor carriers, but when they couldn't find enough belt and walking floor carriers they started contacting hopper carriers. Once the hoppers started showing up the rates fell, and the time to unload increased. One day I asked one of the hopper guys if the broker told him the product was hard to unload and that he would have to wind-row it? He said "yeah the broker told me, but the load pays well enough that it doesn't matter"...... I hope he enjoyed the couple hours it took to unload... It's like that a lot, hence my frustration.