Question:
Recently I loaded a #100,000 press onto a 7 axle Kayan/Seibert trailer. When the driver showed up, the flip (3rd axle), the stinger and the jeep were all on the deck of the trailer. We had to unload the stinger, jeep and flip and help the guy put it together.
Typically do you charge the driver or Company for that service, or is that suppose to be figured in the price when loading the press????? Someone told me the driver should have thrown me at least a $100 tip.
P.S. My car is featured at largecarmag.com as the Reader's Ride.....check it out!
Thanks,
ARRCCOD

Answer:

I pulled a 10 axle for many years and only once did a rigger/crane operator look for $$$. When I quoted jobs that needed ANY lifting or flipping of axles it was included in my quote. In fact people got tired of hearing it BUT when the rigging CO in the BRONX NYC wanted $1,500 to stack my 10 axle I made one call and one only, and that was to the traffic manager for whom I was working. It was his puppy as he had forgotten to notify the rigger of the service to be done. Shame On Him!!

Answer:

That would be included in the price for hauling the load.
Quite often I load up my jeep and booster for the same reason. When I get to the loading location, either they supply the equipment and help or else I'll grab a forklift, a Sideboom, a Backhoe, whatever, and unload my jeep and booster myself.
You have to load up at times otherwise you might have to hire a pilot car due to lenght. etc.
As for the flip. I have a hydraulic neck so that's not a problem.
I can also unhook the neck, deck it off and load or unload the jeep and hook up the neck again.
I am going to install a small hydraulic winch so I can kick off the booster over the back end and also load it up. That way I will be totally self sufficient.
[Pipeman]
[I Thought I had made a mistake until I realized it was just an error.]

Answer:

Are you saying I should have charged the Driver/Company to help set up his trailer or I should have figured it in when I quoted loading the Press????
Thanks,
ARRCCOD

Answer:

If you are the crane company OR rigger then it is the shipper's responsability OR whom ever is paying you, in my estimation. As we both stated we NEVER pay for this service, it is expected at least as "Someone Has Ordered The Equipment", and they should know it has to be set up AND tore down. If they don't well then it is a lesson they will learn at their expense not mine. In many jurisdictions it is difficult at best, if not illegal to run a trailer fully assembled and it really is impractical in populated areas. It really doesn't leave us any options does it. We could pay you BUT ultimately someone is going to pay us so why create more paperwork(invoices and checks).
As far as your assistance in assembling the trailer, there again it is appreciated but I was never paid to assemble a trailer nor did I charge an assembly/disassembly fee

Answer:

It's a cost that the shipper or receiver must absorb.
If he doesn't want to pay himself, I'll factor it into the rate (which I've never had to do) or else he can get someone else to do the job.
I like to get paid for work performed in order to provide the best service to the customer. I don't work to make friends, I work to make money, I already have friends.
My motto is "Turn the key to the right when the rate is right".
[Pipeman]
[I Thought I had made a mistake until I realized it was just an error.]

Answer:

Ok now I understand what you guys are saying.....I wasn't made aware that we had to help put the trailer together. In fact I didn't realize that they needed a trailer that big to transport the Press.It was one of those things I had to deal with once the car arrived and didn't know if this was a standard thing or something they needed to make me aware of, that a trailer that size was coming.
Of course no one wants to hear about an assembly charge after the fact (bad business)but now I know for future reference. Thanks Guys!!!!
ARRCCOD
PS did you check out the car?

Answer:

Need a membership!! A 7 axle trailer and a 3 axle tractor was certainly a bit of overkill for 50 ton BUT depending on where the press was going and equipment availability it may have been the only piece that could be used. Pennsylvania is very liberal with their weights, BUT states like TN that only give you a maximum of 20,000 per axle abviously need more wheels.

Answer:

Michael,
I think the problem with a 100,000 lbs. press could be that it is a spot load. Maybe the guy had 20 feet of deck but the press was only 9 feet long X 5 feet wide ??
[Pipeman]
[I Thought I had made a mistake until I realized it was just an error.]