If you are a truck driver, you know how tough the road can be on you, mentally.  It is estimated that one-third of American truckers struggle with mental health issues.  Recent studies show that drivers are at high risk for depression and suicide.  Long-haul drivers are even more vulnerable. 

Caution Signs

It’s easy to get so road-weary, you don’t even spot warning signs that could be indications that your mental well-being is at stake.  Some of the top things to watch for are:

• Feelings of loneliness
• Anger and rage
• Extreme sadness
• Turning to alcohol or drugs for comfort
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Not caring
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Read More ...

 

 

On November 19, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) officially clarified what defines the scope of an agricultural product load.  Until now, there had been a lot of grey areas but with the specifications in place, many farmers and truckers who transport agricultural products are finding favor in the rulings.

Within the new regulations, agricultural goods include livestock, any agricultural commodity, and non-processed food.  Since agricultural goods fall under federal guidelines, the distinction will allow the place stipulations on the delivery of the products, ultimately making transporting them safer since hours-of-service laws will apply to them.  Farmers will reap the benefits as well because their goods will travel in a safer manner and the process will be more efficient. 

Prior to the clarifications, the regulations for farmers and the truckers [...]

 

While winter has barely touched some of the United States, like in Texas where is been hovering in the 80s, it’s barreling in at full force in places like Colorado, Utah, the Great Lakes states where it’s sending some truckers into a tailspin, literally.

“The most difficult adjustment is for long haul truck drivers who go from great road conditions to sudden hazardous ones due to snow and ice that seems to appear out of nowhere,” Tom Bernard, owner of a trucking outfit in Northern California commented. 

So far this season, hundreds of wrecks involving wintery road conditions have taken a heavy toll on truckers.  On November 12 in Monticello, Michigan, I-94 was shut down in both directions following a multi-car pileup.  A crashed semi-truck was the source of billowing thick black smoke that blanketed the air.  Prior to [...]

 

 

When ten-year-old Ezra Romaine of Redvale, Colorado created a paper “rainbow dinosaur” ornament and sent it to Washington DC to be hung on the US Capitol Christmas tree, he had no idea he would get to see the tree in person. 

As luck would have it though, this year’s Capitol tree was selected from the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National forests in Colorado.  The tree’s first stop on its journey to Washington was Norwood, a sleepy ranching town with a population of around 600. 

Ezra lives in a tiny neighboring town and his family owns The Divide Restaurant in Norwood.  So this year’s National Christmas Tree kick-off celebration was closer to home than Ezra ever thought possible because as one of Norwood’s residents said, “Nothing ever happens in Norwood.”  Well, this [...]

 

 

While a staggering number of American citizens have been out of work during the current COVID-19 pandemic, many of those in the trucking industry have experienced quite the opposite.  Truckers with jobs in areas deemed “essential” have had an overwhelming abundance of work.  But, the evidence is now surfacing that indicates that may not be such a good thing after all.

Recently, over 120 grocery store drivers in New York and surrounding areas have banded together to threaten a strike due to Coronavirus safety concerns.   The truckers are charging that United Natural Foods (UNFI) have neglected to adequately supply safety equipment to them such as masks and hand sanitizer.  They are also accusing UNFI of failing to properly sanitize the trucks and other measures that have been recommended for control of the virus by the Center for [...]

 

It’s projected that by next year, the global market valuation for Aerial Work Platform (AWP) will cross 1.5 billion.  The increasing demand is attributed to more adoption of advanced aerial equipment, technical advancements in the industry, green fuel operability, and an increase in independent Boom Lift Truck owner/operators.

What is a Bucket Truck?

(AWP) describe a group of elevated machines that includes aerial lifts, elevating work platforms, and mobile elevating work platforms. They may also be referred to as cherry pickers or scissor lifts. Generally, aerial work platforms are used for a variety of maintenance and construction purposes and operated by a wide range of professionals.

History of Bucket Trucks

Aerial Work Platform Trucks debuted in the 1900s when they were invented to assist farmers in picking cherries.  Soon the trucks were used to [...]

If you have a business that requires the use of a lift, you’ve no doubt struggled with the decision of whether you should invest in a Boom Lift Truck or opt for a Towable Lift.  The choice is a tricky one that’s not cut-and-dry for everyone.  You’ll need to consider some important factors in order to ultimately decide what type of Aerial Work Platform (AWP) is the best fit for your business is.

What is a Lift Truck?

A Boom Lift Truck, also known as a Boom Truck, Bucket Truck, and Cherry Picker, is a vehicle that is equipped with a maneuverable aerial vertical boom.  It has a cage or open bucket at the end of the apparatus from which a worker can perform a job such as trimming a tree, changing out lighting, repairing electrical lines, or any other duty that requires reaching extended [...]

 

 

One converted semi-truck is bringing a whole new meaning to the trucking phrase, “Stay in your own lane.”   You see, this 18-wheeler has been miraculously transformed into the world’s first mobile bowling alley. 

Dubbed “Luxury Strike Bowling”, the first surfaced this past summer in Michigan.  The creator, Terrence Jackson Jr., who hails from Southfield.

Terrence says he was inspired by other mobile businesses, like Uber, Grub Hub, and Amazon which are all flourishing in the current economy.  He realized what they all had in common was that they offered convenience by bringing their services to the customer.  So that was exactly what he decided to do – deliver some fun and entertainment.  

When interviewed by The Detroit News, Terrence told the reporter that he wanted in with the companies [...]

 

The Department of Labor is geared up to define the scope of work that will determine if a worker is an independent contractor or a company employee.  The decision to become involved comes on the heels of California regulations that have some truckers in a tailspin.  A five-point test is being set as the ultimate clarification factor as the rulings proceed. 

While the legalities involve the workforce as a whole, drivers in the trucking industry are feeling the blow more than most as the distinction between owner-operators and employee status looms in the gray area.

The Legalities

California was the forerunner in the legislation, surfacing last year to call for regulation in the classification of independent contractors such as the highly restrictive AB 5, also known as the “gig worker bill”.

The bill [...]

 

 

 

As the nation braces for a possible second wave of Coronavirus, the trucking industry is the source of some of the only good news around.  Trucking is experiencing high demand along with a driver shortage – mostly seen in Flatbeds, Refrigerated Trucks, Vans, Day Cabs, and Box Trucks.

How it’s Playing Out

Van spot load rates top the charts, up 28.8% last month from one year ago.  Flatbed rates are up a whopping 9.9% and have soared even higher in the past two weeks.  Refer Trucks are up over 19% and there seems to be no end in sight to the rise. 

Not all phases of trucking are faring well, however.  Those operating to service the supply of products that are in big demand, because of or in [...]