Equipment Spotlight: What Bulk Transit Runs and Why

1 00:00:01,240 --> 00:00:07,600 You know, a truck doesn't just start with a key. It starts with a decision. What engine, what 2 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:14,200 transmission? What trailer? How much fuel will it burn? How much time will it spend in the shop? And 3 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:19,240 after you've answered all of that. What does the driver who's actually going to live with the 4 00:00:19,240 --> 00:00:25,239 thing? Think about it. Because it bulk transit, some of those decisions are being made years before 5 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:32,080 that truck ever has 300,000 miles on the odometer. And today we're putting both sides of that 6 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:37,800 equation in the same room. Brad DeWolf is, of course, part of the ownership team. He's the 7 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:44,599 director of maintenance, and he's one of the guys responsible for deciding what bulk buys. Daryl 8 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:50,080 Robbins is the guy who has to drive it. And as it turns out, when you put those two perspectives 9 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:56,600 together, everybody learns something. We got into why bolt quietly uses drivers as guinea pigs for 10 00:00:56,600 --> 00:01:03,540 new equipment. Why? One change took transmission rebuilds from roughly eight in a year down to one. 11 00:01:04,380 --> 00:01:11,260 How $7 diesel can suddenly change the math on what truck you buy. And somehow, right in the 12 00:01:11,260 --> 00:01:16,060 middle of the show, Daryl told Brad something about one of Bolt's regular loads that had him 13 00:01:16,060 --> 00:01:22,780 thinking about how a future trailer might be specked out. So today, we're popping the hood on 14 00:01:22,780 --> 00:01:28,460 bulk transit, not just to see what they run, but to find out why. 15 00:01:29,620 --> 00:01:34,060 This is always pneumatic, never static. Strap in. 16 00:01:36,860 --> 00:01:42,180 You are listening to always pneumatic, never static. The Totally Pressurized podcast, brought to 17 00:01:42,180 --> 00:01:47,739 you by Bulk Transit, where we keep the lines clear, the tanks empty, and the conversation anything but 18 00:01:47,739 --> 00:01:52,579 dry. Whether you're running powder pellets or anything in between. Pull up a seat, crack the 19 00:01:52,580 --> 00:01:59,440 windows, and let's hit it. How's it going out there? Bulk and spur. Welcome 20 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:05,560 into another episode of Always Pneumatic, Never Static. Thank you so much for being here today. I 21 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:11,520 am your host, Marcus, and as always, we appreciate every single one of you that clicked download or 22 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:17,800 listen or whatever it was you clicked to get right here with me right now. Thank you all so 23 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:24,039 much. It means a lot to us. Don't forget to go check out our website podcast.bulktransit.com. 24 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:29,800 This website's very important for you right now because we are officially taking entries for our 25 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:36,399 next giveaway drawing, and we will be announcing the prize here very shortly, like within the next 26 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:43,360 couple few weeks at the absolute most and every quiz that you complete between now and then will 27 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:48,479 count as a submission for our giveaway drawing. Now, the last time we did a giveaway drawing was 28 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:54,600 right. Shortly after we launched the podcast, we gave away two really cool cooling vests and I 29 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:59,099 love saying that they're cool cooling vests because not only will they keep you cool, but just 30 00:02:59,100 --> 00:03:03,899 the technology itself is really sweet. I just always thought that was such a cool idea. And 31 00:03:03,899 --> 00:03:10,539 actually, um, my dad has one of the heating vests for when he's out on his hunts. Uh, most notably 32 00:03:10,539 --> 00:03:15,859 those, uh, waterfowl hunts that take him out in the December and January months in the mountains in 33 00:03:15,860 --> 00:03:21,979 northeast Oregon. Uh, that thing is definitely a good piece of equipment to have if you're out in 34 00:03:21,979 --> 00:03:28,339 the cold. And, of course, uh, these grueling summer days in the Midwest and the South and every place 35 00:03:28,339 --> 00:03:33,860 else that you guys are hauling material. Um. Wow, that cooling vest could really help. Now, I can't 36 00:03:33,860 --> 00:03:39,260 tell you what the giveaway is because they haven't told me yet. See, one of the things about 37 00:03:39,260 --> 00:03:44,739 understanding the host of your podcast is knowing whether or not he has a tendency to flap his gums 38 00:03:44,780 --> 00:03:50,899 a little bit, you know, run his mouth. And, um, my producer Jessica understands that about me. And so 39 00:03:50,899 --> 00:03:57,679 therefore she keeps the prizes very close to the vest until we are 100% ready to tell you guys 40 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:02,999 what it is, and I applaud her for that because I know myself well enough. You know, the 41 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:08,320 self-awareness isn't off the charts here in Marcus Town, but it is high enough for me to know 42 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:13,440 that I would probably ruin the surprise. So let's keep it a secret until we're ready to announce it. 43 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:19,759 But just know that every single quiz that you turn in between now and when we give the prize 44 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:25,679 away will count as a submission into our drawing. So make sure you're checking out the website, 45 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:32,679 podcast.bulktransit.com and filling out those quizzes for each episode. Today's episode is 46 00:04:32,679 --> 00:04:37,999 a fun one. Um, maybe not fun in that we're not like building a playlist or anything like that. It's 47 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:43,440 fun because it's another peek behind the curtain that maybe we don't always get so lucky to get. Uh, 48 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:48,119 just because, you know, you got to ask the right questions to get this kind of information. And, uh, 49 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:54,179 something actually pretty special happened today. I backed into asking the right question and we 50 00:04:54,179 --> 00:05:00,220 all learned something. So every now and then it happens. But today's episode is an equipment 51 00:05:00,220 --> 00:05:07,100 spotlight. Okay, we are looking at the equipment that bulk utilizes and the why behind it. As you 52 00:05:07,100 --> 00:05:12,260 heard in the cold open when we started putting this episode together, I honestly thought we were 53 00:05:12,260 --> 00:05:16,780 going to talk about trucks in the way that a lot of guys will talk about trucks, engines, 54 00:05:16,780 --> 00:05:22,299 transmissions, trailers, seats, sleepers, all of that stuff, the stuff you can actually put your hands 55 00:05:22,299 --> 00:05:29,059 on. And we do talk about that for sure. But what I didn't expect as much of was just how many 56 00:05:29,059 --> 00:05:35,739 decisions have to be made before a driver ever gets the keys, because bulk isn't just asking what 57 00:05:35,739 --> 00:05:41,779 makes a good truck. They're asking what's reliable, what's efficient, what's comfortable, what's going 58 00:05:41,779 --> 00:05:47,299 to hold up, what's going to work for the freight we're hauling, and what's it going to cost us over 59 00:05:47,299 --> 00:05:53,600 its entire lifespan? And then after ownership answers all of those questions, there's one more. 60 00:05:53,959 --> 00:05:59,480 Well, what are the drivers? Think about it. So we got both perspectives in the same conversation 61 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:04,599 for a really fun chat here. Brad DeWolf joins us from ownership and maintenance. And Daryl 62 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:09,559 Robbins joins us from behind the wheel. And we're going to find out exactly what happens between 63 00:06:09,559 --> 00:06:15,559 deciding what bulk needs and actually putting it to work. So without further ado, let's get our 64 00:06:15,559 --> 00:06:18,640 guests in here today and talk equipment. 65 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:31,160 All right. Welcome back in here to always pneumatic, never static. Let's get our guests for 66 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:36,679 today on the show so that we can start talking to them about all the great equipment that bulk 67 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:42,160 utilizes. First joining us, we've got one of the ownership team in here. It's Mr. Brad DeWolf. Brad, 68 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:46,640 thank you so much for joining us today. Uh, this is a big one for you, man. This is the equipment 69 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:52,328 Spotlight episode. So we needed you here. and we really appreciate the time. No. No problem. It's I'm 70 00:06:52,369 --> 00:06:57,730 glad to be here. And we've also got a driver that says you're very familiar with him on the air. 71 00:06:57,769 --> 00:07:03,369 We've got Darryl Robbins joining us. Darryl, thank you so much for the time, my friend. Absolutely. No 72 00:07:03,369 --> 00:07:08,849 problem. Now, uh, Brad being, uh, quote unquote familiar with Darryl, is that positively annotated 73 00:07:08,849 --> 00:07:13,049 or negatively annotated from the maintenance director side of things? It's all good. You know, 74 00:07:13,089 --> 00:07:19,570 anytime they have to call me, they're having a bad day. Worse than me, usually. Good point there. Good 75 00:07:19,570 --> 00:07:25,209 point. Darryl. Any truth to that? I would prefer to not have to call him if I don't have to. Yeah, 76 00:07:25,249 --> 00:07:31,569 right. You guys don't want to talk, right? I get that, I get that. Yeah. I don't want to have to call 77 00:07:31,570 --> 00:07:37,649 him for stuff, like I said. I mean, it happens. And friendly settings. It's fine. Yeah. Right. In or 78 00:07:37,649 --> 00:07:41,249 football or something like that. Like if you guys are calling to discuss a good fishing hole or 79 00:07:41,249 --> 00:07:46,049 something, you'll take that call. Right, Brad? Absolutely. But I don't get many. I don't get many 80 00:07:46,049 --> 00:07:51,229 of those. But all right. I get plenty of the others, so I really don't have a whole lot of time for 81 00:07:51,230 --> 00:07:57,509 those. But then them are the better calls. Yes. Yeah. For sure, for sure. Well, Darryl, real quick before 82 00:07:57,509 --> 00:08:02,350 we kick this to Brad and start asking some questions about the why behind things, you and I 83 00:08:02,390 --> 00:08:06,429 were just kind of chopping it up before we started the the interview here, and you told me 84 00:08:06,430 --> 00:08:11,389 you used to be an owner operator. Uh, you did that for about ten years. You're familiar with 85 00:08:11,390 --> 00:08:17,309 equipment of all shapes and sizes. Um, in throughout your career. Let's get your your spot 86 00:08:17,349 --> 00:08:22,270 on assessment of the stuff that you're using right now. What do you like about your truck? What 87 00:08:22,270 --> 00:08:27,989 do you like about your trailer creature comforts, all of that. Just give us the top down view of how, 88 00:08:27,989 --> 00:08:34,789 uh, Darryl likes the equipment he's using. Well, I did get a new truck back in 2022. 89 00:08:34,830 --> 00:08:40,710 Uh, which I'm still driving. It's got 361,000 miles on it, and it's. I've never had any problems out of 90 00:08:40,710 --> 00:08:46,689 it, and it's still running strong, but I do, um, I, like I said, I run a lot of grain and stuff up to 91 00:08:46,689 --> 00:08:52,289 Cleveland and stuff, so the equipment and stuff that I've got is top notch, and it's some of the 92 00:08:52,289 --> 00:08:58,770 best equipment that we've got. And what make and model truck are you driving? Um, I've got a 93 00:08:58,810 --> 00:09:05,650 23, uh, Freightliner Cascadia. Okay. Now, was it kind of like Christmas in 2022 when you 94 00:09:05,650 --> 00:09:11,449 stepped into the new one? Uh, yeah. It was nice. I mean, not that there was anything wrong with the 95 00:09:11,450 --> 00:09:17,369 other trucks that I had. Um, yeah. It was just nice that they just handed me over an extremely 96 00:09:17,370 --> 00:09:23,489 expensive, uh, piece of equipment that I get to drive. And, you know, it's almost weird to say it. I 97 00:09:23,489 --> 00:09:30,449 get paid to to to do this job and stuff because, I mean, it's expensive equipment. It's really nice. 98 00:09:30,450 --> 00:09:37,369 And it gets used, sure. To, uh, to to its very end. It it gets 99 00:09:37,370 --> 00:09:43,449 used and stuff, and it gets used a lot. So. Absolutely. Well, uh, I'm glad to hear it. Uh, Brad, I 100 00:09:43,469 --> 00:09:47,869 want to kick it over to you and and just kind of start this conversation off, letting the drivers 101 00:09:47,870 --> 00:09:54,509 know when it comes time for both to buy a new truck or a bunch of new trucks. Um, who's getting 102 00:09:54,510 --> 00:09:59,069 the vote on what we're going with this year? Are you kind of always looking at the same models and 103 00:09:59,070 --> 00:10:04,989 trying to stay with the same manufacturer? Are you always looking for cost cutting measures or, you 104 00:10:04,990 --> 00:10:10,030 know, fuel economy, that type of stuff? What really goes into that decision, Brad, and who's getting 105 00:10:10,030 --> 00:10:16,709 the vote? Well, I mean, obviously the the three as three owners get a vote in the thing. Um, as 106 00:10:16,710 --> 00:10:23,069 far as input into the matter of, um, we pretty much take input all year long from our for the 107 00:10:23,070 --> 00:10:29,869 comments we receive from the drivers, mainly the ones in them all the time. Right. Um, then we look 108 00:10:29,909 --> 00:10:36,589 at then we have to look at, uh, the amount of downtime for, for what each manufacturer 109 00:10:36,590 --> 00:10:43,090 and engine, if it's got a different engine. And, uh, what causes us problems, and how can we solve 110 00:10:43,090 --> 00:10:50,009 those problems with future buys if we can change a spec or not, buy certain 111 00:10:51,049 --> 00:10:57,729 parts, manufacturers, whatever, and that'll that'll prevent us from having continuous 112 00:10:57,729 --> 00:11:04,210 problems. Then. Then we change a spec. So there is a lot that goes into it for sure. Yeah, it doesn't 113 00:11:04,210 --> 00:11:08,209 sound like a very light decision there, Brad. And that's a lot of feedback that you guys are 114 00:11:08,210 --> 00:11:12,249 getting. If you're if you're listening to what the drivers have to say, which that's how you keep 115 00:11:12,250 --> 00:11:16,649 them happy, right? Is keeping them in good equipment and listening to what they have to say. 116 00:11:16,690 --> 00:11:22,009 How many things that you guys are running right now, Brad, are sort of what you might consider. 117 00:11:22,049 --> 00:11:26,369 Driver suggested. Is there anything off the top of your head like that that you can think of that 118 00:11:26,369 --> 00:11:30,489 drivers came to you and requested something, and then down the road you were able to make it 119 00:11:30,490 --> 00:11:37,449 happen? I mean, yeah, I can think of, you know, just a couple things right off the the rep 120 00:11:37,450 --> 00:11:42,309 is I always, you know, upgrade the to a leather wrapped steering wheel in the international. They 121 00:11:42,309 --> 00:11:46,949 don't offer it in a Freightliner, but they in the international. So the steering wheels don't come 122 00:11:46,949 --> 00:11:51,630 apart and get all over your hands. Although I'm not sure if it's any better with the with the 123 00:11:51,630 --> 00:11:57,629 upgraded steering wheel. And then, I mean, our trucks get the premium seat that each 124 00:11:57,630 --> 00:12:04,509 manufacturer offers to, I mean, uh, for obviously their comfort and research says that 125 00:12:04,510 --> 00:12:10,629 they stay. They're less tired if they're more comfortable. Believe it or not. I can I can guess 126 00:12:10,629 --> 00:12:15,349 that, man. It's that being sitting in an uncomfortable seat for any matter of time. I mean, 127 00:12:15,349 --> 00:12:19,869 every one of us has been on a plane flying across the United States, and it seems like they keep 128 00:12:19,870 --> 00:12:25,070 making those seats narrower and narrower, and they sit up straighter and they don't lean back as far. 129 00:12:25,070 --> 00:12:29,908 And what happens when you get off that flight? You feel like you got hit by a truck because your 130 00:12:29,909 --> 00:12:36,270 body's just not comfortable. You're not able to, uh, sit in a position that keeps you from just 131 00:12:36,270 --> 00:12:41,369 gaining all this fatigue for whatever reason. Daryl I wonder when you hear that, uh, that 132 00:12:41,370 --> 00:12:46,129 you're always getting the top of the line premium seat just as a driver. How does that make you feel, 133 00:12:46,130 --> 00:12:52,929 man? Uh, the seats are great. Um, I've sat in the internationals before, too. Um, they are extremely 134 00:12:52,929 --> 00:12:57,809 nice. They've got a lot of options and stuff with the lumbar and the seat and everything, but, uh, 135 00:12:57,810 --> 00:13:03,889 I've got the Cascadia, though, and it's got a nice, uh, cushioned seat and everything, but my butt's 136 00:13:03,890 --> 00:13:10,649 been in that seat for quite some time, so I've. I've broken it down pretty good. So, but it's, it's 137 00:13:10,650 --> 00:13:17,090 still got good comfort to it and stuff but yeah. Yeah it it does it it does help out a lot. Um, like 138 00:13:17,090 --> 00:13:23,049 he did say it, it can an uncomfortable seat, an uncomfortable condition can make you get tired 139 00:13:23,049 --> 00:13:28,249 and and and wore out real quick and stuff. Which is why it's always good, you know, to if you're 140 00:13:28,250 --> 00:13:34,089 tired, pull it over and take a 30 minute nap or just take a break and get out and walk around and 141 00:13:34,090 --> 00:13:40,429 stuff. I've had to do it several times. I mean, especially with weather conditions and rain and 142 00:13:40,950 --> 00:13:45,669 especially snowy conditions and stuff. I've I've done it several times where I've stopped and 143 00:13:45,669 --> 00:13:49,790 stuff because that does puts you in an uncomfortable and sleepy condition sometimes and 144 00:13:49,790 --> 00:13:56,789 that's that becomes unsafe. Yeah, absolutely. Listen, I'm a huge advocate for the power nap, okay? I, 145 00:13:56,830 --> 00:14:01,109 you know, the job I do is nowhere near the job that you're out there doing, Darryl. But I'm not 146 00:14:01,109 --> 00:14:05,149 going to lie to you and tell you I won't score a power nap every now and then during a tough day. 147 00:14:05,150 --> 00:14:09,989 So I am I am a big advocate for that. And of course, always an advocate for everything that 148 00:14:09,989 --> 00:14:15,149 makes a driver safer out there. And that's great advice. Darryl. Um, Brad, I'm going to go back to you 149 00:14:15,190 --> 00:14:20,869 here. Uh, as far as the decisions you're making with the trucks, what are some of the biggest 150 00:14:20,870 --> 00:14:25,988 factors? I'm kind of looking for things like purchase price, fuel economy, maintenance cost, of 151 00:14:25,989 --> 00:14:32,309 course. Driver comfort. Are you looking at resale value? Reliability is obviously a big thing. Uh, 152 00:14:32,309 --> 00:14:37,368 which of these are kind of the priorities for you when you're selecting new trucks to buy bread. 153 00:14:37,770 --> 00:14:43,410 Yeah. So I think, you know, you nailed pretty much everything. I look at all that stuff, you know. Uh, 154 00:14:43,969 --> 00:14:50,929 fuel economy obviously is going to rank high on the list for any fleet. It's buying lots of trucks 155 00:14:50,929 --> 00:14:57,689 and reliability. So, you know, up front and cost. Nowadays, everyone says you gotta look at total 156 00:14:57,690 --> 00:15:03,289 cost of ownership, which is there's some truth to that. You know what I mean? Certain engines are a 157 00:15:03,289 --> 00:15:07,449 little more expensive to even do your preventive maintenance on, because filters are more expensive 158 00:15:07,450 --> 00:15:12,849 depending on whether they're, they're proprietary or whether they're made by aftermarket people or 159 00:15:12,850 --> 00:15:19,249 not. So there's definitely a there's like I said, there's a lot of factor into but fuel mileage, 160 00:15:19,529 --> 00:15:26,289 reliability, you know, and then obviously initial price, we feel like we can find 161 00:15:26,330 --> 00:15:33,049 somewhat of comfort with any manufacturer's trucks when we go to speaking out the interior. So 162 00:15:33,190 --> 00:15:38,989 I think trucks are kind of like cars these days. They're all nice. Right. All the cars are really 163 00:15:38,989 --> 00:15:45,669 nice cars even. You go buy a Kia or whatever. They have a beautiful LCD screen. They're just nice. 164 00:15:45,669 --> 00:15:49,909 They're nice vehicles and and trucks are no different. They're nice compared to what they used 165 00:15:49,910 --> 00:15:55,790 to be. They're nice. And so from that aspect, I think all manufacturers are decent, but it's a 166 00:15:55,790 --> 00:16:01,230 matter of, uh, you know, they all have their little quirks, but which ones can you deal with? And we 167 00:16:01,230 --> 00:16:05,629 try to figure that out and work through it. But and then, you know, everything's changing all the 168 00:16:05,630 --> 00:16:11,670 time. All the time changing. So we have to do some testing with certain, you know, we'll do just 169 00:16:11,670 --> 00:16:16,909 dabble with a few models of this. Few of these engines try to figure out what's going to work, 170 00:16:16,909 --> 00:16:22,869 what kind of fuel mileage you're going to, going to get with the new stuff, new technologies, and 171 00:16:22,870 --> 00:16:29,149 then try to make educated decisions if you can, which is hard sometimes. Yeah. Oh, I bet I and 172 00:16:29,190 --> 00:16:33,530 sometimes I feel like you're selling it short. There's probably hard just about every time, Brad, 173 00:16:33,530 --> 00:16:37,929 because you want to make sure that, uh, you know, this is a big decision. There's a lot of dollars 174 00:16:37,929 --> 00:16:43,049 involved, a lot of zeros in these prices. And so you don't want to make something that is going to 175 00:16:43,090 --> 00:16:48,130 upset all the drivers or upset the shop or the maintenance staff or anything like that. I totally 176 00:16:48,130 --> 00:16:54,369 understand that. Um, I wonder, do you have some guys out there that really like to be the guinea pigs, 177 00:16:54,369 --> 00:16:59,969 where the testing new models and stuff like that's concerned? Brad. Well, you know, you always 178 00:16:59,969 --> 00:17:04,049 have guys that want something different, you know what I mean? There's always a certain group of 179 00:17:04,050 --> 00:17:08,209 people that would like to have something that nobody else has or whatever. So I don't, I don't 180 00:17:08,209 --> 00:17:14,929 know. Um, sometimes we have them being guinea pigs and they don't even really know it. You know, we'll 181 00:17:14,930 --> 00:17:19,809 spec we'll spec a group of trucks for a certain piece of business and put them in and just act 182 00:17:19,810 --> 00:17:25,609 like, you know, this is what we got. Here you go. And then we're we're looking behind the scenes. But, 183 00:17:25,689 --> 00:17:30,708 you know, it's the same thing with trailers, too. You know, we have to spec our trailers to do, 184 00:17:31,030 --> 00:17:36,509 depending on what we're going to haul and, and how we're going to load it, how we're going to offload 185 00:17:36,510 --> 00:17:41,270 it. You know, they have to be specked. Yeah. According to according to the job. Right. Yeah. And 186 00:17:41,270 --> 00:17:45,310 if things are. Yeah. According to what we need to do. Yep. Right. Darryl, you were talking to me a 187 00:17:45,310 --> 00:17:50,109 little bit about that before we came on the air. Uh, you're you're hauling grain right now and have 188 00:17:50,110 --> 00:17:54,789 been for quite a while. Uh, can you talk to me a little bit? You were talking about the sort of the 189 00:17:54,789 --> 00:18:00,949 specifications that you have to offload under. Um, you know, this is a lower PSI offload. You've got 190 00:18:00,949 --> 00:18:06,069 sort of a fragile product here. Uh, talk to me a little bit about the unloading process and why 191 00:18:06,069 --> 00:18:12,789 you have to be careful with that. Yeah. The, uh, the grain and stuff. Yeah, it it is fragile and stuff. 192 00:18:12,790 --> 00:18:19,588 So these blowers, they get hot after they run for a while and stuff. But you can. Most places 193 00:18:19,589 --> 00:18:26,109 want us to try and offload between 4 to 5 psi into the silos and stuff, because every 194 00:18:26,109 --> 00:18:32,489 bend that this product hits. It does a little damage to it. It beats it up a little bit. 195 00:18:32,489 --> 00:18:38,809 And like I said, they grind this up now when they go to mash it together and stuff and everything. 196 00:18:38,810 --> 00:18:45,689 But if we offload too high of a pressure, we damage the product 197 00:18:45,689 --> 00:18:52,129 and there's a possibility that you can actually heat the product up and cook it, which basically 198 00:18:52,129 --> 00:18:57,849 destroys it to where they can't hardly use any of it, or it can be a complete loss. And you don't 199 00:18:57,849 --> 00:19:03,369 like the damaged people's product and stuff. And, um, we got certain settings and stuff on the 200 00:19:03,370 --> 00:19:08,449 trailer and stuff like I have to, uh, the blower is a certain setting, and then I try to keep it 201 00:19:08,449 --> 00:19:14,809 between five psi when I'm off loading. Some places allow us to have six, but it's a higher push 202 00:19:14,970 --> 00:19:21,929 through their silos and stuff. But if if it's a very delicate product and stuff and we, we can 203 00:19:21,930 --> 00:19:27,419 absolutely damage and tear it up if we don't offload it properly and stuff, so it normally 204 00:19:27,420 --> 00:19:34,420 takes anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours and 30 minutes to unload the 205 00:19:34,420 --> 00:19:38,979 products, depending upon how far the silos and stuff are away now. And they do come out and take 206 00:19:38,979 --> 00:19:44,979 samples before we offload, and they also get samples that we give them, um, that come out of the 207 00:19:44,979 --> 00:19:49,739 railcar. So they've got double samples and they check that stuff, and then they also check it 208 00:19:49,780 --> 00:19:55,500 while they're pulling it out and grinding it down and stuff. So that's why it's a very delicate and 209 00:19:55,500 --> 00:20:01,499 soft, slow unloading process that we have to use when we're handling that product. Sure. And don't 210 00:20:01,499 --> 00:20:06,739 mess it up because that's one less beer in my fridge. Daryl. So, uh, you know, absolutely. That's 211 00:20:06,739 --> 00:20:12,459 important stuff there. Now, uh, Brad, I the reason I wanted him to kind of explain that process to us 212 00:20:12,459 --> 00:20:16,420 a little bit is now I'm going to go to you and talk about sort of how you're going to spec a 213 00:20:16,420 --> 00:20:21,660 trailer out for, uh, this particular route. Is there is there a bunch of different stuff happening for 214 00:20:21,660 --> 00:20:27,559 this particular, uh, customer, or are these trailers that you can sort of use in other places if you 215 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:32,399 need to? Talk to me a little bit about it. Oh my God, Marcus, you just opened up a can of worms 216 00:20:32,399 --> 00:20:38,519 because he just he just told me things I never knew we had heat issues with. Are you hauling 217 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:45,199 barley or malt? It's. It's straight grain. Barley. Oh, yeah. We've got two row bought 218 00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:52,239 malt. Um, Euro malt and stuff. Pilsner and stuff? Yeah. Two rows. Two rows. Barley? Yeah. Barley is, 219 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:58,439 you know, barley. Barley is fragile. Which I knew about that. I didn't know that it was heat 220 00:20:58,439 --> 00:21:04,879 sensitive. So. Yeah, normally on something that would be a heat sensitive delivery, we would 221 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:09,559 either. Obviously we use low pressure to help keeping the heat down, but if it's that sensitive, 222 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:15,040 we would spec a trailer with a cooler on it. Oh, okay. Because there is a there is a way to spec a 223 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:19,559 trailer that has a cooler on the front of it that'll cool that air before it gets to the 224 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:26,459 product. Okay, so that might be something you consider in the future then. That's. Yeah. Yeah. 225 00:21:26,500 --> 00:21:32,779 For sure. Well, I don't think the mall. I don't. I think we all different stuff. I don't know, I'm not 226 00:21:32,780 --> 00:21:37,980 the most knowledgeable guy about what they're hauling. So, you know, unless they tell me about 227 00:21:37,980 --> 00:21:42,419 this stuff, I don't know this stuff. You know what I mean? But I didn't realize it was heat sensitive. 228 00:21:42,420 --> 00:21:47,859 But for some reason, I'm believing the malts. Probably not as sensitive as the barley. Or maybe 229 00:21:47,859 --> 00:21:53,699 vice versa, I don't know. Okay, we also have wheat. We have wheat. Two that we also do during certain 230 00:21:53,699 --> 00:22:00,300 times for Sam Adams. But we also a part that I left out of there. I'm sorry to interrupt. Um, 231 00:22:00,500 --> 00:22:07,419 we also unload the front pocket first, so we get the product as far away once 232 00:22:07,420 --> 00:22:13,019 we're unloading it. And it's because that first pocket's the most sensitive one. So we unload 233 00:22:13,020 --> 00:22:19,539 everything there first to get it away. And then it kind of reduces each pocket after that from the 234 00:22:19,540 --> 00:22:24,920 heat from the blower and stuff. I've never actually had any problems burning a load up or 235 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:31,759 anything like that, but it has happened before. And I mean, I've heard of issues before where if you 236 00:22:31,800 --> 00:22:38,719 too much psi creates more heat and then that heat will start to burn that product up 237 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:43,839 and damage it because it's too much heat from the blower and it's thrust in the product faster 238 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:49,479 through the line, which busts it up, it absolutely will destroy that wheat and that barley and stuff. 239 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:54,919 Sure, we're unloading it. Sure. Well, I mean, it stands to reason why you guys know this equipment 240 00:22:54,920 --> 00:23:00,399 so well and you've worked with it so much. Like, these are things that this is all a part of, of 241 00:23:00,439 --> 00:23:05,119 good customer service, right? You want to get the product to them in a timely manner? Yes. But you 242 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:10,239 also want them to be able to use that product in the fashion that they want to. And the type of 243 00:23:10,239 --> 00:23:15,479 care that you guys are taking here is, is indicative of great customer service. Now I am 244 00:23:15,479 --> 00:23:20,939 just a fly on the wall, but we did just I establish that I can open a can of worms if I try 245 00:23:20,979 --> 00:23:26,659 hard enough here. So, uh, apologies for that. No, it's all good. I mean. 246 00:23:27,979 --> 00:23:32,859 It's always the information that I need, you know, that I like to, in something we can talk about in 247 00:23:32,860 --> 00:23:37,179 the future as to really how sensitive it is and whether we would want to go that route. Right. 248 00:23:37,219 --> 00:23:44,219 Obviously, that that adds expense to any trailer, you know. Yeah. But if it saves us 249 00:23:44,219 --> 00:23:50,979 down the road and claims or, uh, you know, if we can unload faster, but the pressure 250 00:23:51,020 --> 00:23:55,019 thing is still going to damage the product, so that we're always going to have the pressure 251 00:23:55,019 --> 00:24:01,259 issue, whether regardless of the heat issue, we're going to have the pressure issue. Right? Right. Uh, 252 00:24:01,260 --> 00:24:06,619 what other types of specs, Brad, are you putting on to, uh, particular trailers for particular jobs? Is 253 00:24:06,619 --> 00:24:11,459 there anything off the top of your head that's just kind of unique or, uh, maybe sets it apart 254 00:24:11,459 --> 00:24:16,579 from just your standard pneumatic trailer that you might be able to sort of, uh, you know, plug and 255 00:24:16,579 --> 00:24:22,919 play in other places. Yeah. And I mean, we do a lot of we. So it seems like nothing we have a standard 256 00:24:22,920 --> 00:24:29,680 anymore, you know, for each customer. Like recently we bought 15, 16 257 00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:35,199 brand new flower trailers and spectrums specifically for the flour mill here in Columbus. 258 00:24:35,319 --> 00:24:41,839 We have, uh, PD car trailers that are made to be loaded from a 259 00:24:41,839 --> 00:24:47,039 pressurized railcar, and they have dust collectors on the back of them. Okay. So they're like a 260 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:52,639 specialized piece of equipment as a dust collector, uh, kind of integrated with the trailer 261 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:59,599 to where we can blow into the trailer and still not create a environmental issue. We 262 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:06,399 vacuum trailers to where we can suck the product out of a railcar. Um, those two have a certain 263 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:11,319 dust collector, but it's basically just filtering to make sure you're not shoving product out in 264 00:25:11,319 --> 00:25:18,218 the environment. So, uh, yeah, we we have we spec spec accordingly. 265 00:25:18,420 --> 00:25:24,379 It sounds like it, man. It sounds like it. Uh, I'm going to bring up, uh, another I. I won't call it a 266 00:25:24,379 --> 00:25:29,339 hot button issue. I feel like it was a hot button issue. More, uh, you know, this is about my fourth 267 00:25:29,340 --> 00:25:34,739 year doing podcasts for trucking fleets, and I feel like I hear about this less in these, uh, 268 00:25:34,739 --> 00:25:40,140 later years than I did in the earlier years. And that's talking about the transmission. Um, Daryl, 269 00:25:40,180 --> 00:25:46,819 you drive it an automatic or a manual right now? Uh, we only have automatics. I only have. Automatics. 270 00:25:46,819 --> 00:25:52,619 Yeah, yeah, we don't have any manuals anymore. Okay? And at least I don't. I don't know if we have any 271 00:25:52,699 --> 00:25:59,539 manuals that brand has anywhere else but our terminals. All automatics and stuff. I think the 272 00:25:59,900 --> 00:26:06,739 pretty much the whole fleet's going to automatics. I think 100%. Okay. Uh, Brad, is that a was that a 273 00:26:06,739 --> 00:26:11,499 training thing? Was that a fuel efficiency thing? Uh, what what's behind the decision for, uh, 274 00:26:11,500 --> 00:26:17,719 automatic transmissions these days? Uh. I mean, that's just the way the whole industry went. It's 275 00:26:17,720 --> 00:26:23,879 definitely a fuel mileage thing. The technology and the, you know, the they've come up with pairing 276 00:26:23,879 --> 00:26:29,079 the engines with the transmissions and they communicate with each other. And yeah, that's 277 00:26:29,079 --> 00:26:35,240 definitely a fuel mileage thing. And it's these the way the industry went. We have we now have 278 00:26:35,240 --> 00:26:39,920 several drivers that are automatic only you know. Right. They they don't have a license to drive a 279 00:26:39,920 --> 00:26:45,239 standard. So um, it's just, you know, I don't know if too many fleets out there buying a standard 280 00:26:45,240 --> 00:26:51,399 transmission anymore. Maybe, uh, owner operator here and there, but I think even most of them guys have 281 00:26:51,399 --> 00:26:57,358 converted over to automatics because, you know, everybody wanted to wanted to change gears and 282 00:26:57,359 --> 00:27:03,919 shift gears until they got an automatic and realize how much easier was. Right, right. Uh, no, you 283 00:27:03,920 --> 00:27:08,839 don't have these truck drivers walking around with wicked strong left legs anymore. Do you hit 284 00:27:08,839 --> 00:27:14,019 that clutch? Foot is atrophied a little bit more than, uh, than what you might see back in the 90s 285 00:27:14,060 --> 00:27:19,338 or something. But I wonder, Brad, you know, back when I was in high school, I had a couple of friends 286 00:27:19,339 --> 00:27:24,699 that were real gearheads. And, um, I remember the first time one of these guys, I think it was my 287 00:27:24,699 --> 00:27:31,139 sister's boyfriend, pulled his transmission out of his 1972 Chevy and put it on the tailgate and 288 00:27:31,139 --> 00:27:36,499 took it apart, and it was an automatic. And when he cracked that thing open, Brad, it looked like a 289 00:27:36,500 --> 00:27:43,498 human brain on the inside. And this was 1972 technology. Um, from a maintenance standpoint, 290 00:27:43,540 --> 00:27:49,459 how much, uh, how much more complicated or are they more complicated, these automatic transmissions to 291 00:27:49,500 --> 00:27:56,139 work on than the manual transmissions were? So that's the thing on our trucks 292 00:27:56,140 --> 00:28:02,619 there, we call them automatic transmissions, but they're really automated. Uh, they're they're 293 00:28:02,620 --> 00:28:08,899 virtually the exact same box as a standard shift transmission with the automated shifting 294 00:28:08,899 --> 00:28:15,639 mechanism. So it's really, uh, not much different now. 295 00:28:15,879 --> 00:28:22,399 Some of the newer ones are a little bit different than what we're used to, but there's still mainly 296 00:28:22,439 --> 00:28:29,319 everything we buy. Still mainly an automated transmission. Okay. Okay. Now, Darryl, uh, 297 00:28:29,319 --> 00:28:34,479 knowing that you were an owner operator back in the day, I have to assume you've probably had a 298 00:28:34,480 --> 00:28:40,399 manual transmission at your feet before. Uh, which do you prefer over the, uh, do you do you prefer 299 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:46,839 the manual or do you prefer the automated? Yeah. I actually think my left leg still bigger than my 300 00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:51,079 right leg today, and I haven't been in I haven't had a manual since 301 00:28:51,119 --> 00:28:57,758 2017, but, yeah, I, I've never had an automatic, um, truck 302 00:28:57,800 --> 00:29:02,679 until I brand them started converting over to them. Yeah. This is the only place that I've ever 303 00:29:02,680 --> 00:29:09,019 had an automatic transmission, but, uh. No, it's it's actually a 304 00:29:09,020 --> 00:29:14,499 blessing. Um, we only had pen speeds when we had manuals here. We've actually got a 12 speed now 305 00:29:14,579 --> 00:29:21,579 with these automatics. Um, but it's a lot better when you're in deadlocked traffic, and you don't 306 00:29:21,580 --> 00:29:28,418 have to constantly push the clutch in and constantly just stop and go, 307 00:29:28,419 --> 00:29:35,419 stop and go. And and you wear that. You wear your leg out stuff. But a lot of people, especially old 308 00:29:35,420 --> 00:29:41,339 school truck drivers and stuff, they didn't use the clutch anyways. You know. They were just power 309 00:29:41,339 --> 00:29:48,139 shifting. I got. To stop. Well, no. The, the they were the the gear ratios were 310 00:29:48,139 --> 00:29:54,819 floated back then and stuff. So basically you were uh, first in reverse when you needed to use it and 311 00:29:54,819 --> 00:30:01,218 stuff. And I had over a million miles on my Kenworth that I had, 312 00:30:01,219 --> 00:30:08,199 and they took it apart and my clutch had hardly anywhere to it. And 313 00:30:08,199 --> 00:30:14,838 I was. Yeah. I don't use it. Wow. You don't. You don't use it with the manual of stuff that we had back 314 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:21,559 then and stuff. Yeah. My clutch was in pristine condition, but no, it's nice, it's nice. It took a 315 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:25,639 while to get used to. Now I get in a truck now, and if it's got a stick in the middle and a clutch, 316 00:30:25,679 --> 00:30:31,879 I'm like, what if I don't remember how to drive this? Yeah, I get that. I get that, Brad, you were 317 00:30:31,880 --> 00:30:36,159 gonna jump in there real quick. You had a comment for us? Yeah, I was just saying I had kind of a 318 00:30:36,160 --> 00:30:42,839 stat there as a company. We looked this up when we got to automatics, and we realized we 319 00:30:42,839 --> 00:30:49,199 weren't rebuilding transmissions at any type of clip that we used to. So we kind of did some 320 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:55,039 research and we we were averaging about two rebuilds every three months. Wow. Back in the 321 00:30:55,080 --> 00:31:01,759 heyday of our manual transmission days. Huh. And, uh, we did one 322 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:08,979 for an entire 12 month span after we went to automatics. Wow. So you took it from 24 a year down 323 00:31:08,980 --> 00:31:14,379 to one. That's amazing. Doing two every three months. Oh, two every three months. Sorry. So, yeah. I 324 00:31:14,379 --> 00:31:20,419 was doing eight. 8 to 1. I've never been good with math, Brad. I'm sorry, but I don't know. I don't 325 00:31:20,419 --> 00:31:26,779 think I've rebuilt like, two since then, so. I mean, this is several years now, so I don't I don't know 326 00:31:26,780 --> 00:31:33,579 what we went down to, but, um, there should be a little asterisk there because we had, um, prior to 327 00:31:33,619 --> 00:31:39,139 me spec and equipment. I want to throw that caveat out there, Marcus. But prior to Brad spec and 328 00:31:39,140 --> 00:31:45,899 equipment, they had ten speed manual transmissions hauling 140,000 pounds across the New York 329 00:31:45,899 --> 00:31:52,779 Thruway up there. Oh, wow. They are not rated to do so. So that was that was. Definitely 330 00:31:52,779 --> 00:31:57,939 some of our rebuilding. Okay I understand. And that's just that's a wear and tear thing with 331 00:31:57,939 --> 00:32:03,300 that type of traffic and and constantly having to shift. I assume that that's just you can't not get 332 00:32:03,300 --> 00:32:08,239 that transmission beat up if that's where you're taking the truck. Right? That's a. Lot. Well, actually, 333 00:32:08,239 --> 00:32:13,279 we only hauled it across the Thruway, so we'd hook the doubles up in New York. You're allowed to haul 334 00:32:13,280 --> 00:32:19,599 double 53 foot van trailers a lot across the Thruway only. And they have compounds where you 335 00:32:19,599 --> 00:32:24,279 have to. And then you have to split them up and then deliver them as individual loads. So we would 336 00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:30,799 haul doubles across the Thruway into Yonkers and drop them, drop one and then take them into New 337 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:34,920 York City and deliver one. Then come back to Yonkers, grab the other one and take it into New 338 00:32:34,920 --> 00:32:40,719 York City and deliver it. So, so it was basically just to get across the Thruway, but the 339 00:32:40,719 --> 00:32:47,319 transmission just absolutely wasn't rated for that. Yeah. You know. And. It's year after year, it 340 00:32:47,319 --> 00:32:53,439 just took its toll. Sure, sure. That definitely that kind of wait will do it, man. We did it for years. 341 00:32:53,919 --> 00:32:59,959 That's crazy. Yeah. Double 50 threes. I mean, they don't do that out here in Oregon. You can get, uh, 342 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:04,809 you know, the double doubles on the short guys, but there isn't anything that long. Out here on the 343 00:33:04,809 --> 00:33:09,568 road, I don't even know what I would do if I saw that pull up next to my full size truck. Uh, that's. 344 00:33:09,610 --> 00:33:14,209 What I was getting ready to. Say. Yeah, that's intimidating man. All right, well, I like it. We got 345 00:33:14,250 --> 00:33:18,688 transmission out of the way. We talked a little bit about that hot button issue. Now, let's talk 346 00:33:18,730 --> 00:33:23,569 about something that I feel like all truck drivers just enjoy talking about. And that is the 347 00:33:23,569 --> 00:33:28,489 powertrain. Brad. What engine are you are you running and buying right now? And what's the 348 00:33:28,489 --> 00:33:34,050 reason behind it is again, we talked about fuel efficiency, maintenance costs. I have to assume all 349 00:33:34,050 --> 00:33:39,129 that stuff goes into the decision behind the engine as well. But uh, kind of what's the standard 350 00:33:39,129 --> 00:33:44,450 right now for bulk and spur? Well, right now we are predominantly when I say predominantly, we're 351 00:33:44,450 --> 00:33:51,088 probably 90, 90%, not a little over 90%. Uh, commons is 352 00:33:51,089 --> 00:33:58,049 X15 engine with Eaton and dirt transmissions, obviously. And, 353 00:33:58,049 --> 00:34:02,270 you know, I don't know if you're familiar with all the mission standards we've gone through over the 354 00:34:02,270 --> 00:34:07,789 years here with the trucking industry, but every three years or every 3 to 5 years, we're we're 355 00:34:07,830 --> 00:34:13,629 we're making changes. So. Right. You're trying to evaluate things before they even get this group 356 00:34:13,629 --> 00:34:19,349 corrected. They're coming out with new stuff, you know. So, uh, reliability has been an issue lately, 357 00:34:19,350 --> 00:34:26,349 but not super happy with the enduring transmission. The ES 15 engine 358 00:34:26,350 --> 00:34:32,468 is phenomenal. However, we are doing, you know, I said we're always testing, so we are. We did do 359 00:34:32,469 --> 00:34:39,189 some testing, um, with some internationals, some the new international engine and their 14 speed 360 00:34:39,190 --> 00:34:45,989 transmission and that combination, it looks like from our testing that that 361 00:34:45,989 --> 00:34:52,830 combinations fuel mileage is going to really just squash everybody else that we've 362 00:34:52,870 --> 00:34:59,168 tested so far. So that's great. We have increased our purchases of the of the 363 00:34:59,169 --> 00:35:03,809 international package and the and the new internationals that come in this year. They'll 364 00:35:03,810 --> 00:35:09,928 have the international engine and transmission. And with that came a different blower that we've 365 00:35:09,970 --> 00:35:15,369 used. So that's going to be a little bit different for the guys. Uh, the product blower. So that we use 366 00:35:15,370 --> 00:35:22,289 to offload our, our trailers with um, we've used the same basically the same blower for years. And, 367 00:35:22,289 --> 00:35:27,649 and we've had to change that a little bit with these transmissions. So it'll be interesting to 368 00:35:27,649 --> 00:35:34,649 see how it works out. May do a little testing with, uh, Volvo Mac. I'm not sure which you 369 00:35:34,649 --> 00:35:40,369 know, that, you know, because next year is a whole new emission standard. So here it goes again. Right. 370 00:35:40,530 --> 00:35:45,449 Um, so we may test a Volvo. We may test another pack. Ah. Although they're kind of like at the 371 00:35:45,449 --> 00:35:49,769 bottom of the list right now. You know, they just rotate from the top to the bottom and then move 372 00:35:49,770 --> 00:35:55,648 their way back up. Sure, sure. Well, you're asking a guy from Oregon if he's familiar with emission 373 00:35:55,649 --> 00:36:00,509 standards. You know, California is only about five hours south of me, right? I, I don't have to deal 374 00:36:00,509 --> 00:36:06,070 with them, but I hear about them all the time, man. And I can't imagine, uh, the headache that that 375 00:36:06,070 --> 00:36:11,509 must provide a guy like you who's responsible, Brad, for not only getting the trucks that you 376 00:36:11,509 --> 00:36:16,829 need to get the job done, but staying within the lines of all that red tape. That's a puzzle. I mean, 377 00:36:16,870 --> 00:36:23,070 that sounds just as tough as a as a terminal manager or a driver manager or a dispatcher 378 00:36:23,110 --> 00:36:27,710 getting in at the beginning of the day and having the jigsaw puzzle just spread out across the 379 00:36:27,710 --> 00:36:32,948 table in front of them. Um, I imagine there's a little bit of frustration that comes along with 380 00:36:32,949 --> 00:36:39,350 trying to stay within all of these standards, Brad, and how much they change. And that's the thing. I 381 00:36:39,350 --> 00:36:43,710 would say it's hard to make an educated decision because they're changing faster than we can test 382 00:36:43,710 --> 00:36:50,109 stuff. Sure, sure. Yeah. By the time I get good data, because I'm not like a massive 383 00:36:50,110 --> 00:36:56,089 fleet, we have a lot of trucks, but in comparison to some of the big fleets out there. They they 384 00:36:56,090 --> 00:37:01,688 accumulate data way quicker than I do. Sure. Of course. So, yeah. By the time I can accumulate 385 00:37:01,689 --> 00:37:06,649 really good data. I mean, they're they're changing again. So yeah, it's like sometimes you feel like 386 00:37:06,649 --> 00:37:11,929 you're just throwing a dart at the wall and hoping for the best. Absolutely, Daryl. From the 387 00:37:11,929 --> 00:37:17,769 driver's standpoint, how important is it for you just in your day to day to know that you can rely 388 00:37:17,769 --> 00:37:24,408 on the engine that, uh, that Brad and the team has chosen for you to drive around with? I mean, you 389 00:37:24,409 --> 00:37:28,889 already said you like the equipment. I have to imagine that means your truck's not in the shop 390 00:37:28,889 --> 00:37:33,810 all the time. So how important is that to a driver that you've got a not only a powerful but 391 00:37:33,810 --> 00:37:40,009 reliable engine sitting underneath of you? Yeah, I tried to keep my truck out of the shop as much as 392 00:37:40,009 --> 00:37:45,249 possible. I like to keep it at only getting services and minor work done, um, as much as 393 00:37:45,249 --> 00:37:51,968 possible, but I was always a Cummings fan to begin with. I've. I've had pretty much every 394 00:37:51,969 --> 00:37:56,949 motor you can think of that's out there. Um, but I was actually happy when they went to just 395 00:37:56,950 --> 00:38:03,749 strictly Cummings Motors and stuff. They're good, reliable. And it is a strong motor. 396 00:38:04,070 --> 00:38:10,629 Mhm. And it, it's it specked out good. It gets the job done and and that's that's all that matters. 397 00:38:10,629 --> 00:38:15,349 It gets the job done and it and it keeps everything moving. Because if the truck ain't 398 00:38:15,350 --> 00:38:21,709 moving I'm not making money. They're not making money. And he's got equipment that's broke down. 399 00:38:21,709 --> 00:38:27,869 That has to be fixed. But I unluckily I haven't had any of those issues and I hope not to have 400 00:38:27,870 --> 00:38:33,389 any of those issues, knock on wood. But yeah. I, I. Have bought so like he was talking about with the 401 00:38:33,389 --> 00:38:38,590 internationals, I have driven the internationals twice. Um, you know, when I have my truck getting 402 00:38:38,590 --> 00:38:42,549 serviced and stuff and I would borrow the running of the load and stuff when we had a spare. They 403 00:38:42,549 --> 00:38:48,269 are really nice. He is right about that. They are really nice. It's a little bit different going 404 00:38:48,270 --> 00:38:53,570 from being in the the, you know, Freightliner and then going to that international stuff because 405 00:38:53,570 --> 00:38:58,408 the steering ratios and stuff. They're a little different stuff. So they're not. They're a little 406 00:38:58,409 --> 00:39:02,209 more they feel a little more loose to me because I'm used to having that international, which has a 407 00:39:02,209 --> 00:39:09,209 tighter steering feel to it and stuff. But it it's like a Cadillac. It's smooth and stuff. It's 408 00:39:09,210 --> 00:39:13,689 like you, I mean, you hit a bump on the road and it's just like it's not even there. But yes, the 409 00:39:13,889 --> 00:39:20,489 equipment's great. Um, the blowers and stuff they did up the blowers. They're bigger blowers than 410 00:39:20,489 --> 00:39:25,089 what we used to have and stuff. So that was another thing that I had to do. I had to, you know, 411 00:39:25,129 --> 00:39:29,569 mess with the RPMs and the stuff with the bigger blower and stuff with the product and stuff. You 412 00:39:29,569 --> 00:39:34,889 have to adjust it and stuff because the bigger blower was pushing past the product a little bit. 413 00:39:34,889 --> 00:39:41,529 So you had to kind of tweak with that and stuff. But the blowers are fantastic and 414 00:39:41,570 --> 00:39:47,489 the the motors are absolutely just I love things, like I said, I love coming to begin with and I've 415 00:39:47,489 --> 00:39:53,908 and I've always had them. I had one in my Kenworth and I've had, I think, yeah, every truck that I've 416 00:39:53,909 --> 00:39:59,509 had here except the Peterbilt that had the hat car and it that's the only motors that I've had 417 00:39:59,509 --> 00:40:04,229 since I've been back here. Yeah. They're just they're really nice, reliable motors and stuff and 418 00:40:04,989 --> 00:40:11,989 I just haven't had any issues. And it doesn't seem like we have a lot of issues and stuff with them. 419 00:40:11,990 --> 00:40:16,830 I mean, we have trucks that go down, they get used, the equipment gets used, it gets used hard, and 420 00:40:16,830 --> 00:40:20,549 they have a lot of hours and stuff on them and stuff. Stuff's gotta break, break down. It's just 421 00:40:20,550 --> 00:40:25,749 part of the industry. Yeah, it's just the way it is. But having a good a good maintenance team there 422 00:40:25,749 --> 00:40:31,309 to get you back up and out on the road ASAP is also key and I think Bolt's got that in spades. 423 00:40:32,030 --> 00:40:37,110 Absolutely. Those guys do everything that they possibly can to keep the trucks up and running. 424 00:40:37,110 --> 00:40:42,428 And the trailers and equipment we've got is I mean, as long as the, you know, equipment and stuff 425 00:40:42,429 --> 00:40:45,749 there and the parts to change everything and stuff are there. I mean, sometimes you got to wait 426 00:40:45,750 --> 00:40:51,169 for parts because they're on backorder or they've got to be made. You know, but no, other than that, I 427 00:40:51,169 --> 00:40:57,168 mean, our maintenance guys do everything they possibly can to keep us up and running. Like I 428 00:40:57,169 --> 00:41:01,929 said, if it's down Bradenton, we're not making money. We're not making money. Everybody wants to 429 00:41:01,929 --> 00:41:07,449 make money. You know? That's just the way it is you. Everything needs to be running to make money and 430 00:41:07,449 --> 00:41:14,369 stuff. But nah, everything that we got it, it runs good and and it's it's pristine 431 00:41:14,370 --> 00:41:18,810 and and they, they replace a lot of equipment stuff as much as possible and stuff. We've gotten 432 00:41:18,810 --> 00:41:24,049 lots of new trailers and we've gotten lots of new trucks and stuff to replace and everything. And 433 00:41:24,050 --> 00:41:30,009 it's been it's been pretty consistent since I've been working here with everything that they, you 434 00:41:30,010 --> 00:41:35,129 know, run in and out of here and stuff. Like Brad said, they're constantly sucking stuff left and 435 00:41:35,129 --> 00:41:40,689 right. And it's just every year something changes the emissions. I mean, and then supposedly they're 436 00:41:40,689 --> 00:41:46,829 getting rid of the DEP and stuff and eventually and stuff. So I mean, if it happens, it happens. If 437 00:41:46,830 --> 00:41:51,669 it doesn't, you know, then they just deal with it. Yeah, you're kind of just flowing down the river 438 00:41:51,669 --> 00:41:57,549 of change there. It sounds like. And by the way, I, I have to say, Daryl, I love the, the, uh, Cadillac 439 00:41:57,550 --> 00:42:03,589 analogy, uh, as, as a former detail boy at a, at a Chevy dealership when I was in high school, uh, we 440 00:42:03,590 --> 00:42:09,349 had a 32 valve Northstar Cadillac come in for some kind of maintenance, and I was the one that 441 00:42:09,350 --> 00:42:14,669 they let at 17 years old. Take that thing out the North Highway and open it up to make sure it was 442 00:42:14,669 --> 00:42:19,790 all still, uh, you know, not going to fall apart. I've never felt a vehicle float like that thing 443 00:42:19,790 --> 00:42:25,909 did. I mean, 65 miles an hour. It felt like I was just riding on a smooth lake. Uh, on the biggest 444 00:42:25,909 --> 00:42:30,869 boat you've ever seen. So great analogy there. Love to hear that those engines are working out. Uh, 445 00:42:30,870 --> 00:42:36,309 both the international and the Cummins. I love that, uh, I want to get to the creature comforts 446 00:42:36,310 --> 00:42:40,509 part of the job. This is also another part of of having good equipment, right. Keeping the driver's 447 00:42:40,509 --> 00:42:45,128 comfortable. We already talked about the seats and the leather wrapped steering wheels a little bit. 448 00:42:45,169 --> 00:42:51,968 Um, Daryl, are you in a day cab, or do you spend some nights out there on the road? Oh, no, I don't 449 00:42:51,969 --> 00:42:58,089 really stay out much. But yeah, there are times that I stay out. That's an outand back. It's just 450 00:42:58,090 --> 00:43:03,810 an all day out and back for me. But yeah, there's occasions I'll run stuff to Pennsylvania, 451 00:43:04,450 --> 00:43:11,249 Michigan. I've done a couple, um, Wisconsin and stuff. Um, but, you know, not 452 00:43:11,250 --> 00:43:17,809 not rarely, but it does happen. It, it if they ask me and they really need me to do it, then yeah, I 453 00:43:17,809 --> 00:43:22,648 will, but like it, like, right now I'm just really busy going back and forth to Cleveland, so that 454 00:43:22,649 --> 00:43:27,090 kind of ties me up. But if there's no money or anything to be loaded up there and they have 455 00:43:27,129 --> 00:43:32,569 other stuff come in, yeah, I, I do run. It so. Happens occasionally. You do have a sleeper berth in your, 456 00:43:32,610 --> 00:43:38,688 in your, uh, truck then. Yeah. We don't have a whole lot of day cabs um, up here. I think those are a 457 00:43:38,689 --> 00:43:43,989 bunch of. Those are primarily it, uh, spur down in Texas and stuff. We do have a couple here and 458 00:43:43,989 --> 00:43:49,269 there though, that I pass occasionally, but I think a majority of those are down south, if I'm correct. 459 00:43:49,270 --> 00:43:54,749 So what's your favorite part about how the trucks appointed from a creature comforts standpoint? Is 460 00:43:54,749 --> 00:43:59,149 it the seat which you you gave really high marks earlier? Is it the mattress? Do you like the 461 00:43:59,149 --> 00:44:05,148 storage? Uh, you know, entertainment. What is the part of the truck that you like the most? Uh, if 462 00:44:05,149 --> 00:44:10,310 you do have to stay out there. I'm pretty much comfortable in that truck. I mean, it's just got a 463 00:44:10,310 --> 00:44:15,829 standard mattress and stuff in it. Um, which is it's. It's okay. Yeah. I mean, the seat and stuff's. 464 00:44:15,830 --> 00:44:19,908 Everything's nice. I'm pretty comfortable in the whole truck myself, but I've been doing this since 465 00:44:19,909 --> 00:44:26,710 2005. It's pretty. I'm just used to living in that truck. I did it for ten years straight without, you 466 00:44:26,710 --> 00:44:33,029 know, I was home maybe four days a month. Wow. Stuff to see my family and stuff when I was doing that 467 00:44:33,029 --> 00:44:38,509 and and everything. So, I mean, I kind of just used to being in a truck for so long that it kind of 468 00:44:38,550 --> 00:44:45,489 just is accustomed. I just. I'm pretty. Just used to everything, but. Sure. Sure, I get. That. I mean, it's a 469 00:44:45,489 --> 00:44:50,329 full size. It is a full size sleeper and stuff. I mean, you can stand up and walk around and stuff, 470 00:44:50,330 --> 00:44:55,569 and it has everything you need in the back. I mean, if you want to add accessories and stuff, TVs, 471 00:44:55,649 --> 00:45:01,729 refrigerators and stuff at your expense, I mean, yeah, you've got an apartment back there and stuff. 472 00:45:01,769 --> 00:45:08,249 Yeah, you really do. Brad, how much thought goes into that part of spec ING these trucks out and 473 00:45:08,250 --> 00:45:12,330 making sure that the drivers, uh, especially the guys that are maybe spending a little bit more 474 00:45:12,330 --> 00:45:18,290 time out than Daryl, are comfortable out there on the road. You know, we're going back to that. All 475 00:45:18,290 --> 00:45:24,809 these trucks these days are nice. So, I mean, it's to the point now where they're 476 00:45:25,049 --> 00:45:31,850 for no more than what most of our guys spend on the road. They're very suitable to get the job 477 00:45:31,850 --> 00:45:37,090 done the way they are, whether it's a Freightliner or an international, the internationals are a 478 00:45:37,090 --> 00:45:44,059 little smaller inside, um, with whys and whatnot. The bunk, the actual beds. A 479 00:45:44,060 --> 00:45:49,178 little bit wider, but the actual space inside is a little smaller. Freightliner is a little larger 480 00:45:49,179 --> 00:45:55,539 inside, but both trucks are very they're very nice. Um, you know, sometimes they're a little overkill 481 00:45:55,539 --> 00:46:02,219 for what we do. A lot of times what we do, we probably could use day cabs a little more often. 482 00:46:02,219 --> 00:46:08,820 But the thing about it is, is, like Darryl says, is the day that, you know, tomorrow they don't have a 483 00:46:08,820 --> 00:46:15,059 malt load to Cleveland, and we need him to run to Wisconsin. And, you know, that's what we need a 484 00:46:15,060 --> 00:46:22,019 truck that can do both jobs, right? Right. Sometimes a day cab limits us, and then you can always get 485 00:46:22,060 --> 00:46:28,299 hotels and stuff. But that brings in a new a whole nother level of complication. So. Absolutely. 486 00:46:28,299 --> 00:46:34,738 Absolutely. And and that cost that comes with it. Uh, it seems like you'd rather have that be, uh, not 487 00:46:34,739 --> 00:46:38,719 a variable cost. Right? Because you can't ever predict what a hotel is going to cost every 488 00:46:38,720 --> 00:46:44,479 single night that a driver needs one, but adding the sleeper berth to the truck has kind of a flat 489 00:46:44,480 --> 00:46:49,999 cost with it, it's not going to go up or down, uh, before you make the purchase. Right? Brad. So this 490 00:46:49,999 --> 00:46:55,759 is kind of a way to keep a a lid on those numbers and not have them swell out of control. This is 491 00:46:55,759 --> 00:47:00,119 true. This is true. Although when guys are sleeping in the truck, generally when they're sleeping in 492 00:47:00,120 --> 00:47:06,519 our trucks, they still have the engines island and. Our. Fuel costs. It's it might be cheaper to get a 493 00:47:06,519 --> 00:47:13,199 hotel. Yeah. Especially these days. Yes. Yeah, absolutely. Daryl, uh, tell me that story. You just. 494 00:47:13,199 --> 00:47:17,559 You told me on the phone before we came on here about the picture that you took at the fuel pump 495 00:47:17,560 --> 00:47:24,079 the other day. Oh, no, I it I'm telling you right now, I literally cried 496 00:47:24,120 --> 00:47:30,638 inside. I cried for this guy in front of me because he wasn't an operator. He wasn't a company 497 00:47:30,639 --> 00:47:36,538 driver. And this was at the Love's at the 65. 498 00:47:37,260 --> 00:47:44,219 South of Columbus. It was under $7. North of Columbus. It was 499 00:47:44,219 --> 00:47:49,739 737 a gallon. This guy paid 684 at the pump. 500 00:47:50,700 --> 00:47:57,539 151 gallons. It was $1,126.56. I 501 00:47:57,539 --> 00:48:04,539 said I'm. Sorry. Go ahead. I took a picture of it because I didn't want anybody to say, I don't 502 00:48:04,540 --> 00:48:11,139 believe you. So I sent it and I posted it, and I'm like, this made me cry for the person in front of 503 00:48:11,139 --> 00:48:18,059 me because I used to be there. And that was it for 50 a gallon. And it was nowhere even half of 504 00:48:18,060 --> 00:48:24,980 that. And I was just like, I'm like, I'm glad I'm not paying for this stuff. But I 505 00:48:24,980 --> 00:48:31,699 really feel for Brad and them right now because this is just ridiculous. It's wild out there, man. 506 00:48:31,699 --> 00:48:36,518 Now, I don't have Brad on camera right now. But I kind of figure when you heard that number, Brad, 507 00:48:36,519 --> 00:48:41,599 you might have almost shaken your head off your shoulders there. Uh uh, how how is it feeling right 508 00:48:41,600 --> 00:48:46,799 now? I mean, the fuel cost is astronomical. What kind of pressure is that putting on you from an 509 00:48:46,800 --> 00:48:52,080 equipment standpoint? Um, and how much do you have to kind of move stuff around to accommodate for 510 00:48:52,120 --> 00:48:59,039 that? Brad. Well, obviously you try to limit any, any unnecessary movements around anywhere right now. 511 00:48:59,480 --> 00:49:05,159 Um, for if we don't have a load on our back, we don't want to really be going down the road. Um, as 512 00:49:05,159 --> 00:49:10,799 far as the equipment standpoint, obviously, you know, uh, it makes that fuel mileage even farther 513 00:49:10,799 --> 00:49:17,359 up the list of the determining factors of what we buy. Right. Um, if the international engine is 514 00:49:17,360 --> 00:49:23,959 really going to crush the Cummins engine by that far, uh. That's an easy decision. 515 00:49:24,159 --> 00:49:29,599 Yeah. So just make the decisions real easy, especially if you're not losing any kind of if 516 00:49:29,600 --> 00:49:35,259 you can do it without losing performance and reliability. You know, then you're real. Then were. 517 00:49:35,299 --> 00:49:41,899 You know, an easy decision to make. Right. For sure. For sure. And if you if you have to factor in okay, 518 00:49:41,940 --> 00:49:46,739 we're losing a little bit on performance or we're losing a little bit on reliability. Then when you 519 00:49:46,739 --> 00:49:51,580 try to factor in the total cost of ownership, again, you know what's going to be best for you. 520 00:49:51,580 --> 00:49:58,419 But, uh, when you're when you're winning the fuel mileage battle and you got $7 a gallon 521 00:49:58,419 --> 00:50:04,699 fuel, fuel mileage becomes really important. Yeah, it's a rock fight out there right now, and you 522 00:50:04,699 --> 00:50:10,979 guys are doing everything you can to win it. And, uh, in the face of of seeming like every decision 523 00:50:10,980 --> 00:50:16,899 is the wrong one for gas prices right now. Um, it just in, in the world. I mean, it's it's really 524 00:50:16,899 --> 00:50:22,219 crazy to see it happen, but, uh, before we get out of here, guys, I got one more really good one for 525 00:50:22,219 --> 00:50:27,139 you, Brad, because I know there's, you know, this podcast is made for drivers. We got drivers 526 00:50:27,139 --> 00:50:32,998 listening. Brad, once you've spent all the money buying inspecting the equipment. And we've already 527 00:50:32,999 --> 00:50:37,799 heard Daryl say something to this point of he likes to keep his truck in shipshape. He likes to 528 00:50:37,840 --> 00:50:43,280 keep it out of the shop. Only minor repairs, maintenance, things like that. What can a driver do, 529 00:50:43,280 --> 00:50:48,158 Brad, after you've spent the money buying inspecting the equipment to help get the maximum 530 00:50:48,159 --> 00:50:54,919 life out of it? I mean, we always appreciate the drivers that help that help keep the trucks clean 531 00:50:54,919 --> 00:51:00,239 and really, um, just go a little, just take that extra step to take care of the equipment that we 532 00:51:00,239 --> 00:51:06,199 put out there. And, I mean, some guys do better at it than others. And and we try to really 533 00:51:06,199 --> 00:51:11,599 appreciate the, the ones that do you know all you know Marcus, you know what I'm going to say. 534 00:51:11,600 --> 00:51:17,079 Pre-trip is number one thing right? Yes, sir. I knew we were going to get there sooner or later. Yeah, 535 00:51:17,199 --> 00:51:23,879 well I try. Not to make. It like. The thing I harp on the most, but I gotta go. There always. Always a 536 00:51:23,879 --> 00:51:30,539 good pre-trip and post trip and, uh, ride it up. Don't leave the next guy hanging. 537 00:51:30,580 --> 00:51:37,339 Type of thing. Especially with Tom. Especially when it comes to trailers. Right, Daryl? It's mandatory. 538 00:51:38,139 --> 00:51:43,658 You're right. Exactly. On the trailers I don't like. Well, that's your thing we have. You know, it's not 539 00:51:43,659 --> 00:51:49,699 like we're assigned to trailers. We use trailers. Other people use the same trailers and stuff. If 540 00:51:49,699 --> 00:51:54,738 something's broke, let them know so they can fix it. Don't leave it for the next guy to come in, and 541 00:51:54,739 --> 00:52:00,579 then he has to find it and then waste time out of his day after he's already started. We only get 14 542 00:52:00,579 --> 00:52:07,579 days, 16, you know, 14 hours. My bed in a day, 16 hours if we have to push it. But we have to 543 00:52:07,580 --> 00:52:12,779 take breaks to do that because it has to be a split sleep or birth reason and stuff. Yeah. You're 544 00:52:12,779 --> 00:52:19,378 you're just leaving something for another driver to find and stuff. So. Yeah. And and pre-trip is 545 00:52:19,379 --> 00:52:25,219 like I said, it's mandatory. You're supposed to do that. It's it just ruins your day and makes it 546 00:52:25,219 --> 00:52:30,399 worse. If you don't do that and then get something fixed as soon as possible. For sure. For sure. And 547 00:52:30,399 --> 00:52:34,919 let me just ask you, in short, Daryl, how much pride do you take in keeping that truck clean and 548 00:52:34,919 --> 00:52:41,719 looking nice and just, uh, feeling good about the condition of it? Um, I don't like a dirty truck. I 549 00:52:41,720 --> 00:52:47,679 mean, you're not going to keep these trucks clean. We do run out of lime factories and grain areas 550 00:52:47,679 --> 00:52:52,399 and stuff. You're not going to keep the inside of them completely clean. But you got to remember, 551 00:52:52,399 --> 00:52:59,159 also, you live inside that truck. Mhm. I mean, I don't like being dirty. I don't like 552 00:52:59,159 --> 00:53:04,919 having dirty stuff. I try to keep it as clean as possible and stuff. But you know, dust and stuff 553 00:53:04,919 --> 00:53:10,039 gets in the truck and gets on the dash and the clutches and stuff. I mean, you, you just clean them 554 00:53:10,039 --> 00:53:16,039 off and stuff and, you know, try not to, you know, create garbage and everything and stuff. Like I 555 00:53:16,039 --> 00:53:22,159 said, you, you do live in those trucks, but I mean, not everybody's like that. Like Brad said, not 556 00:53:22,159 --> 00:53:29,139 everybody. Not everybody. Yep. Yeah, I don't I don't do pets. I don't I try to keep the truck as 557 00:53:29,139 --> 00:53:33,219 clean as possible. Like I said, we run into that Aline plant stuff all the time. It's hard to keep 558 00:53:33,220 --> 00:53:39,979 that stuff out of there. It's very dusty, slimy and it's mushy and stuff. And that's another reason 559 00:53:39,979 --> 00:53:45,419 why I keep a little boot brush guard on my step and stuff. So I get in and out to try and minimize 560 00:53:45,419 --> 00:53:50,539 as much stuff as possible to get in and out of there, but. That's. A great idea. Impossible. It's 561 00:53:50,539 --> 00:53:56,539 absolutely impossible to keep it all out of there. And and everybody, everybody has the same issues 562 00:53:56,540 --> 00:54:03,260 that runs out of there all the time and everything. But I work out of there two, three days 563 00:54:03,260 --> 00:54:08,219 a week occasionally. Um, unless there's no mall to be ran or anything like that, and then I'll run 564 00:54:08,219 --> 00:54:13,459 out of there for a week at a time. It just, it just honestly depends how the freights going and, and 565 00:54:13,459 --> 00:54:18,138 and if it's there to be ran and stuff. So I mean I'm in and out of there all the time, but yeah, it 566 00:54:18,139 --> 00:54:24,439 just becomes a, uh, cleaning thing. Yeah. And I like to, I like to keep the outsides of the truck clean. 567 00:54:24,480 --> 00:54:31,119 I mean, they do pay for us to get the trucks worse at certain places. They have, you know, cleaning 568 00:54:31,120 --> 00:54:34,879 accounts at trucks and stuff. I mean, and they also we have access to do it at the shop with 569 00:54:34,879 --> 00:54:41,519 theirself with soap brushes and oppression spray and stuff. I mean, would they give us the resources 570 00:54:41,520 --> 00:54:46,199 to do it if we need to? Absolutely. And, you know, keeping a truck clean when you're going through 571 00:54:46,199 --> 00:54:50,158 those environments is all about baby steps, right? You clean a little bit here, you clean a little 572 00:54:50,159 --> 00:54:54,200 bit there. You stay on top of it. It's like doing the dishes. If you just put them in the dishwasher 573 00:54:54,200 --> 00:54:59,599 after you're done. It makes that final dinner clean up a little bit easier, man. And I love 574 00:54:59,600 --> 00:55:04,040 hearing that you got a boot brush on the step. That's a great idea. And I would be willing to bet 575 00:55:04,040 --> 00:55:08,839 some drivers are going to pick up a tip there. Just hearing you say that. Daryl, thanks for that. 576 00:55:09,040 --> 00:55:14,039 Fellas, I'm going to go ahead and let you go here. I really appreciate the time. I feel like this has 577 00:55:14,040 --> 00:55:19,519 been very insightful. We've learned a lot about the equipment that bulk runs today and spur as 578 00:55:19,520 --> 00:55:26,059 well. Final thoughts from you, Brad. Before we let you go, just on the equipment spectrum, anything we 579 00:55:26,060 --> 00:55:30,059 left on the table here, anything you want to say before we let you get back to it? I know you're a 580 00:55:30,060 --> 00:55:36,938 busy guy, and you've given us a lot of time today. We really appreciate it. Um. No problem. Um, I, uh, I 581 00:55:36,939 --> 00:55:43,379 really don't have a whole lot, um, like I said, that, you know, we our trailers, some of them are super 582 00:55:43,379 --> 00:55:49,779 old. We try to keep them maintained. The, you know, we try to keep some new stuff coming in to, like 583 00:55:49,780 --> 00:55:55,898 Darryl said, we bought a lot of new trailers over the years. So, um, you know, we just appreciate 584 00:55:55,899 --> 00:56:02,698 everybody doing the pre trips, trying to trying to do their part to help everything 585 00:56:02,740 --> 00:56:07,379 stay in good working condition. Yes, sir. You know, if you didn't say it, I was going to ask you if 586 00:56:07,419 --> 00:56:11,979 you had to boil it all the way down to two words, what would it be? You said it right there, Brad. 587 00:56:11,979 --> 00:56:18,860 Pre-trip right. Trip. Thanks, Brad. We always appreciate the time. Uh, Darryl Robbins, thank you 588 00:56:18,860 --> 00:56:23,279 so much for being here today, my friend. Final thoughts from you before we let you get back to 589 00:56:23,280 --> 00:56:29,999 it today. Oh, I'm good man. Everything. Everything is good here. I 590 00:56:30,159 --> 00:56:36,239 enjoy working for this company. Um, they help take care of me, and I try to take care of them as much 591 00:56:36,239 --> 00:56:40,879 as possible by making sure the equipment's up and running and, uh, getting their loads and stuff 592 00:56:40,879 --> 00:56:46,439 delivered and stuff. Like I said, if I'm not moving and delivering, they're not making money and I'm 593 00:56:46,440 --> 00:56:51,519 not making money, and and they help me take care of my family. So that's my number one biggest 594 00:56:51,520 --> 00:56:58,399 priority is to make sure that my family is taken care of. And they gave me the job and they 595 00:56:58,399 --> 00:57:03,159 gave me the responsibility and stuff to, uh, do all that stuff. And I appreciate everything that this 596 00:57:03,159 --> 00:57:08,799 company does for me. And, and, and it has given me and continues giving me great stuff. Brad and 597 00:57:08,800 --> 00:57:12,879 Daryl, we greatly appreciate the time. You guys take care. We'll get you back in here again in the 598 00:57:12,879 --> 00:57:17,959 future. Okay. All right, Marcus, appreciate you. Thanks, guys. We'll be right back. 599 00:57:26,260 --> 00:57:31,259 Huge thanks to Brad and Daryl for joining us on our Equipment Spotlight here today on Always 600 00:57:31,260 --> 00:57:37,419 pneumatic, never static. Um, I never know exactly where these conversations are going to go. And I 601 00:57:37,420 --> 00:57:43,579 think that's one of the coolest parts about my job in particular. And this podcast, uh, in 602 00:57:43,580 --> 00:57:49,300 particular. You know, I said it all up. I have a laundry list of questions that I want to ask 603 00:57:49,300 --> 00:57:54,540 these guys every single time we get some of them on the phone or with me in the virtual recording 604 00:57:54,540 --> 00:58:00,139 studio here. And I'll be honest with you, uh, that's one of the ones where I had a ton of questions 605 00:58:00,139 --> 00:58:04,780 and they all just hit the cutting room floor, because where the conversation took us was 606 00:58:04,780 --> 00:58:10,579 actually more valuable than me ripping it back to a bunch of predetermined questions that really, uh, 607 00:58:10,620 --> 00:58:16,870 weren't going to fit the bill there. Um, I love it when somebody or I shouldn't say somebody. I 608 00:58:16,870 --> 00:58:22,188 should say both guys were so comfortable in conversation with me that we can get to places 609 00:58:22,189 --> 00:58:27,428 where my question might not have gotten us to on its own. It's where they take the question and the 610 00:58:27,429 --> 00:58:32,749 way that they answer it. And you always hear me after I have somebody on. That's the first thing I 611 00:58:32,750 --> 00:58:39,709 say. Huge thanks. Big ups. Hats off. Round of applause for the people that joined me. Um, today 612 00:58:39,710 --> 00:58:44,829 is no different. Brad and Daryl did a phenomenal job. They didn't just answer the questions, they 613 00:58:44,830 --> 00:58:51,789 answered them with context and experience and really gave us a great look at how bulk, you know, 614 00:58:51,830 --> 00:58:58,189 approaches equipment here at Bulk and Spur. And, um, I think this is a really good episode. If you're 615 00:58:58,189 --> 00:59:02,509 thinking about maybe submitting an application for bulk. Well, you just heard it from the horse's 616 00:59:02,509 --> 00:59:06,669 mouth. You got a driver that's been doing this for a really long time, and he doesn't have a single 617 00:59:06,710 --> 00:59:11,548 bad thing to say about the equipment, not the maintenance, not how long it lasts, not the comfort, 618 00:59:11,589 --> 00:59:16,129 none of it. Daryl was into it. He liked it all. And you know what else I took away from that 619 00:59:16,129 --> 00:59:22,249 conversation is that there are a lot more fingerprints on a bulk transit truck than you 620 00:59:22,249 --> 00:59:28,249 might think. Um, ownership, of course, has to decide what to spend the money on. Maintenance has to 621 00:59:28,290 --> 00:59:34,409 figure out what's going to last. Operations has to have equipment versatile enough to cover all of 622 00:59:34,410 --> 00:59:40,249 the freight. The customer may require a trailer built specifically around the job that they need 623 00:59:40,289 --> 00:59:46,889 done. And after all that, somebody hands the keys to a driver. And that's where all these decisions 624 00:59:46,889 --> 00:59:51,409 finally get tested in the field. And I really liked what Darryl said at the end, because there's 625 00:59:51,410 --> 00:59:57,769 another side to that relationship to bulk gives him the equipment he needs to make a living and 626 00:59:57,769 --> 01:00:03,448 provide for his family, and he takes pride in taking care of said equipment, keeping it moving 627 01:00:03,449 --> 01:00:10,169 and getting the job done. That's the partnership between driver and fleet and after 50 minutes, 628 01:00:10,169 --> 01:00:16,909 talking. Engines. Transmissions. Blowers, trailers, fuel mileage, and $7 diesel. Brad 629 01:00:16,949 --> 01:00:21,669 still got us right back to the same two words that we hear a lot around here, and for good 630 01:00:21,670 --> 01:00:27,830 reason. The pre-trip because you can spend all the money in the world spending the perfect piece of 631 01:00:27,830 --> 01:00:34,789 equipment, but somebody still has to take care of that equipment. And we got there today. Man, what 632 01:00:34,830 --> 01:00:39,789 a great conversation. I love it when we can have people come in here and speak candidly. And I 633 01:00:39,789 --> 01:00:45,069 think that Daryl and Brad both did that for us today. And hey, we opened a can of worms right in 634 01:00:45,070 --> 01:00:51,389 the middle of it, man, if we can ever move the needle even one degree on this show, I'm really 635 01:00:51,389 --> 01:00:56,629 happy about it. Whether it's for the drivers that are on the show, the drivers that are listening to 636 01:00:56,629 --> 01:01:01,749 the show, any of the staff that are listening to the show ownership, and we found out that, hey, 637 01:01:01,790 --> 01:01:07,149 sometimes the grain that that Daryl's hauling might get heated up. They got to be really careful 638 01:01:07,150 --> 01:01:12,929 with it. Well, they have trailers or a spec of a trailer That would include kind of a cooling 639 01:01:12,929 --> 01:01:18,968 system for that. And hey, Brad needed that information. Like we actually we ticked the needle 640 01:01:18,969 --> 01:01:24,050 over. Maybe it was only a half a degree today, but we did move it just a little bit. And I got to 641 01:01:24,050 --> 01:01:29,329 thank Brad and Daryl for allowing that to happen here on Always pneumatic, never static. They 642 01:01:29,330 --> 01:01:34,408 don't have to do that. That can happen behind closed doors. But I think it's really cool and 643 01:01:34,409 --> 01:01:41,129 shows the trust in the drivers that ownership at Bulk and Spur have. Um, because that's just one 644 01:01:41,130 --> 01:01:47,689 driver talking about one load specifically to one place. And it was one of those things where Brad 645 01:01:47,689 --> 01:01:52,129 said, hey, hang on, that's important information. I need to know about that. And asked a few questions 646 01:01:52,129 --> 01:01:59,129 to clarify. Um, and who knows, maybe down the road, um, Daryl's going to be driving a trailer with a 647 01:01:59,129 --> 01:02:04,849 cooling system on it that will prevent that possible damage from happening to that particular 648 01:02:04,849 --> 01:02:10,189 product. I love it, man. I just eat that stuff up. NUM num num num num num num num num. I love it so 649 01:02:10,189 --> 01:02:14,790 much. Thank you all for being here today. Once again, big thanks to Brad DeWolf and Daryl 650 01:02:14,790 --> 01:02:20,629 Robbins for having that conversation with me. Uh, Brad's a super busy guy, and he gives a lot of 651 01:02:20,629 --> 01:02:25,629 time to this podcast, and I cannot thank him enough for it. I know he does that because the 652 01:02:25,629 --> 01:02:30,949 maintenance department is so busy and so bogged down that it's hard for them to break away and 653 01:02:30,950 --> 01:02:36,190 come and sit here for an hour with me. Heck, it's hard for Brad to break away and come and sit here 654 01:02:36,350 --> 01:02:42,629 for an hour, uh, with me. And also I want to call out Darryl. He moved his day around just to do 655 01:02:42,629 --> 01:02:48,310 this podcast. You guys don't ever have to do that for me. I will work around your schedule. Uh, but 656 01:02:48,310 --> 01:02:53,029 before I even had the chance to really get to work around Darryl's schedule, he had already 657 01:02:53,029 --> 01:02:58,029 switched it up for me. Uh, so hats off. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Darryl, for doing that. 658 01:02:58,070 --> 01:03:02,388 Once again, I want you guys to know it's never something that will expect of you coming on this 659 01:03:02,389 --> 01:03:08,049 show. We want to make it work around your schedule so that you can do your job safely and completely 660 01:03:08,050 --> 01:03:13,449 to the standard that is expected here at Bulk and Spur. And then when you've got the time, maybe you 661 01:03:13,449 --> 01:03:18,849 can come chat with me. But we really appreciate what Daryl and Brad brought to the show today, and 662 01:03:18,969 --> 01:03:25,529 we'll be right back here next week, Wednesday, 5 a.m. local time for another hour of content from 663 01:03:25,530 --> 01:03:31,168 always pneumatic, never static. They keep getting better and we're going to keep that that momentum 664 01:03:31,169 --> 01:03:35,729 moving forward. We're on a gravy train with biscuit wheels with this podcast right now, and I 665 01:03:35,729 --> 01:03:40,289 just can't get enough of it. So we will see you next week. I've been Marcus, you've been awesome. 666 01:03:40,290 --> 01:03:45,169 Thank you for being here today. Be safe out there, Bulk and Spur, and we'll see you in a week. 667 01:03:47,290 --> 01:03:53,289 And that's all she blows for today's episode of Always Pneumatic, never Static. Your number one and 668 01:03:53,289 --> 01:03:59,208 probably only Pneumatic Trucking podcast, brought to you by Bulk Transit. Thanks for rolling with us 669 01:03:59,209 --> 01:04:04,009 today. Till next time, stay safe. Keep those lines clear and keep it pumping.