Does anyone run their own grain lorry?

[Bignor Farmer]

Just sitting here watching the rain on the window and waiting for trucks to arrive, wondering if it stacks up to run your own lorry?

Most of our grain only goes About an hour up the road in one direction or the other and if lorries are on return they usually get 3 loads in per day.

I’m sure it’s not the route to riches but it would keep a man busy all winter, he could load himself, sweep up and keep the cash flow ticking over.

On the other hand it’s lots of testing, CPC, tachometers and admin so perhaps it no longer stacks up to run a lorry part time?

 

[JP1]

I did my thesis on the Value of The Farm Lorry in 1983.

I expect the answers are broadly the same

Critical minimum amount of work before viable

Useful to aid farm operations but unlikely to be cheaper than outside haulage

Most important points are will1 lorry cope when often you need none and then several

What's the availability of spot hire for third party transport ?

 

[ollie989898]

Spud I think is the man to ask from memory.

 

[Steevo]

Think you’ve answered your own question.

Currently the waiting might be frustrating.....but if the extra hassle is just more work then I’d take the waiting any day. No point creating work for no extra gain.

I’d be looking for a way to use the “waiting” time more effectively, before looking to do away with it and end up creating more work/expense.

 

[Brisel]

@Spud @Derky @Jetemp ...and for sh*ts and giggles, @Clive

 

[Clive]

@Spud @Derky @Jetemp ...and for sh*ts and giggles, @Clive

if you get on well with truck drivers then go for it ! If you can drive a truck yourself and have spare time then go for it

Bulk haulage is the bottom end of the market - to make money at it you have to be VERY good at it

 

[Courier]

A friend swears that because he or his son is in the cab at the mill weighbridge and the fact is well known then they get far fewer questionable "rejections" - In fact so much so that that in itself pays for the truck.

 

[Brisel]

A friend swears that because he or his son is in the cab at the mill weighbridge and the fact is well known then they get far fewer questionable "rejections" - In fact so much so that that in itself pays for the truck.

And the running back empty?

 

[An Gof]

Think @ajd132 run their own

 

[cotswoldcs]

If you're only an hour away from depot would a Fastrac and large trailer be a more viable option? Obviously taking less tonnage at a time but if it's your own grain wouldn't you be able to use red diesel?

 

[quattro]

If existing haulier is doing 3loads a day he’s obviously running back empty

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

If you're only an hour away from depot would a Fastrac and large trailer be a more viable option? Obviously taking less tonnage at a time but if it's your own grain wouldn't you be able to use red diesel?

That way would cost double on fuel than running a lorry

 

[Brisel]

That way would cost double on fuel than running a lorry

Just as well red is half price then.

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

Just as well red is half price then.

Still cost double though

 

[Nearly]

Still cost double though

Other costs need calculating to see if it's viable.

 

[roscoe erf]

@Spud @Derky @Jetemp ...and for sh*ts and giggles, @Clive

wants wrong with @fingermouse

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

For fuel tractor will do 4.5 mpg, carrying 16 tonne @ 55 ppl
lorry will do 9 mpg carrying 29 tonne @ 125 ppl

On a 60 mile round trip tractor = £ 2.07 per tonne for fuel
Lorry doing the same = £1.30 per tonne

And tyres will be a bigger cost for the tractor

 

[Northeastfarmer]

For fuel tractor will do 4.5 mpg, carrying 16 tonne @ 55 ppl
lorry will do 9 mpg carrying 29 tonne @ 125 ppl

On a 60 mile round trip tractor = £ 2.07 per tonne for fuel
Lorry doing the same = £1.30 per tonne

Tractor = no MOT, no road tax, no tests, cheap insurance

wagon= full MOT, expensive road tax, lots of tests, expensive insurance

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

Tractor = no MOT, no road tax, no tests, cheap insurance

wagon= full MOT, expensive road tax, lots of tests, expensive insurance

And which one will be legal ?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

And which one will be legal ?

Both?