Driving a log truck is not for the faint of heart. Even in the best of weather, logging roads are difficult to navigate, and they often include grades of up to 12%. The tires on a log truck must be able to lift themselves off the ground to load the load. Driving a log truck also requires the driver to have excellent physical health and a high level of agility. If you have ever wondered if logging is the right career for you, consider this:
Driving a log truck requires the driver to have a strong sense of safety and attention to detail. In addition to driving at a fast pace, drivers must have excellent judgment. The driving of a log truck also requires an ability to balance food and a sandwich. They also need to be able to talk on the CB and know when to change gears. Log trucks can be dangerous to operate, so training is vital.
How Much Money Can You Make with a Log Truck?
If you’ve been thinking about becoming a truck driver, you might be wondering: How much money can you make driving a log truck? Depending on where you live, your salary could be anything from $50 to 150 per hour. While the pay scale for this job varies widely, it is likely to be higher than that of other trucking jobs. The amount you make will depend on the experience level of the driver, the type of route they drive, and the cost of living in the area.
As of January 2011, the average salary for a LOG truck driver is $33,000 per year. However, this figure can vary widely by location and experience level. The highest-paid LOG truck drivers can earn up to $82,500 per year. A typical trailer load of softwood logs can bring in up to $1,900, while a trailer load of hardwood logs can make up to $2,000.
Why Do Truck Drivers Keep Logs?
Truckers falsify their logbooks for financial gain. Many employers pay drivers by the mile, so the longer the day is, the more they can earn. Drivers may also receive bonuses for hitting deadlines, which could increase their income. Additionally, the faster they are able to drive, the more cargo they can haul. Therefore, it is essential that drivers keep accurate records of their travel time, both on and off the road.
In addition to safety reasons, keeping a log book is a legal requirement. In some states, truck drivers are limited to certain hours of driving before they must take a break. In these situations, a log book with no breaks may indicate a driver who is fatigued, and could cause an accident. Also, truck drivers must keep accurate records of their hours of service, which may be difficult to verify if they aren’t resting sufficiently.
Electronic logging devices are also a key enforcement tool. These devices automatically record each movement of a truck, and can help the DOT identify hours-of-service violations. Previously, drivers would falsify their logs by hand to avoid detection. One trucker in particular was caught falsifying logs to avoid being detected in an hours-of-service violation. During this time, he crashed into two vehicles, killing the occupant of one of them.
What Does a Log Truck Do?
Whether you’ve always wanted to drive a truck or are curious about what this profession entails, a log truck driver has a rewarding career ahead of you. This profession requires skilled drivers with a knack for managing time efficiently. Drivers must be able to work alone and solve problems without help, as well as communicate well with other people. Become a certified log truck driver to advance your career and drive larger, heavier trucks. Then, you’ll learn about best practices and safety regulations.
A professional driver is responsible for overseeing loader operators and ensuring the logs are evenly distributed on the axles. The log truck driver also needs to adhere to strict weight restrictions that landowners have set for trucks, including the maximum load weight. Additionally, drivers must be familiar with their vehicle’s GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) so that they know how much wood it can safely transport. Finally, a log truck driver must be meticulous about the size of his or her load, which should not exceed 32 feet in length.
Is Driving a Log Truck a Good Job?
A career in logging can be lucrative, and you’ll be responsible for moving fresh-cut timber from forests to mills. Log truck drivers must have commercial vehicle licenses and be able to maneuver through substandard roads. Their incomes range from $33,000 to $53,000 a year, depending on their experience. However, there are some disadvantages of being a driver. If you’re not sure if you’d like this job, here are a few factors to consider.
Drivers of logging trucks usually have to drive in a hurry, and their massive trucks often have a high risk of accidents. This means that drivers have to be fast and maneuver through inclement weather. In addition, drivers may ignore traffic laws and weight station regulations, and drive aggressively to save time. Lastly, drivers of logging trucks often have to work on very narrow roads that are not well-paved.
As with any job, driving a log truck can be dangerous, especially in poor weather and on gravel roads. Because you’ll be driving around 1000-pound trees, you’ll have to pay close attention to the road to avoid hitting the sides of the trucks. You’ll also have to know how to communicate effectively with your supervisor. While this may seem like a job with a steady paycheck, it’s not always the most rewarding job.
Are Log Trucks Safe?
Are log truck drivers safe? The answer to that question depends on a number of factors, including age, driver education, and the use of drugs and alcohol. However, despite the risks, accidents do occur with logging trucks. This is because many logging companies hire drivers who are not reportable and may be negligent. The aging workforce and poor driver recruitment can make them less safe on the road. Often, the drivers cannot see what they are driving and may be impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Drivers of logging trucks must maintain a safe distance between themselves and other vehicles, and they must avoid blind spots. It is crucial to give truck drivers extra room when passing and when turning, as the weight and momentum of the logs can dislodge the payload. Drivers must also follow all traffic rules, especially those that involve heavy equipment. For this reason, it is essential that log truck drivers follow all rules of the road and wear proper safety gear to stay safe.
How Much Do Logger Owners Make?
In the Netflix reality series, Big Timber, Kevin Wenstob sources timber from Canada’s Klitsa Mountain. The logger’s job is incredibly dangerous and unusual, and it’s easy to see why people would wonder how much they make. The average logger makes roughly $73,000 per year, but it’s likely much more. Kevin Wenstob makes more than that, thanks to his endorsements.
When logs are delivered to a sawmill, the landowner earns between ten and eleven cents per board foot. That’s quite a nice sum for a landowner. The money comes from a percentage of the timber sales. Loggers are generally paid 20 to 22 cents per board foot. In Maine, the owner’s share is about ten to eleven cents per board foot.
Wenstob’s children are now running the business, and they have even appeared on the television show. They have asserted their control over the future of the business. Wenstob’s right-hand man, Coleman Willner, is responsible for managing the log-loading and carrying crew. The two have received mixed reviews on social media, with some claiming that they’re unprofessional and unsupervised.
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