Finding semi trucker to haul hay out of South Central KS?

I am finding it really difficult to find anyone to even bid on hay hauling and ones that do quote really high. Is there any resources online or otherwise to find a trucker that wants to work? I mean, it could not get much easier.

I posted on uship and have not got a bid yet. I would rather shop with an online tool where I can actually talk to the drivers though because I am looking to repeat business.

Two or three things working against you. Trucker pulling flat beds can find freight that is faster to load than a load of hay out in an rural area. Also hay is just not one of the better paying loads. To many of them have tried it and found it is just too takes too much time to load and unload for what it pays.

most of the time; the loads go where there are no back hauls.

Don't remember why now, but several years ago the boss had three semi loads of round bales brought in from that area of Kansas. Hay was some kind of long stemmed grass and basically kind of green. We had to force the cows to eat the stuff, they hated it.

What kind of rates have you been quoted? Where in Kansas?Are they rounds or big squares?

(quoted from post at 21:08:06 07/02/13) What kind of rates have you been quoted? Where in Kansas?Are they rounds or big squares?

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$4/mi is where my buyers say "nope, that is too high". I am not a hay buyer or a trucker, I just need to make buyers happy enough to buy.

I am sure the excuse list is long for truckers but if the load/unload takes an extra hour, an extra 50 bucks should pay for that. Min fuel used, NO tire wear, etc. I loaded the last guy in 1 hr. I have off loaded high dollar machines that took longer than that. I tend to think no matter what you are moving, someone will have an excuse why it needs to cost more.

"retired", I am sure there is junk hay in about every part of the country. It is real hard to sell a product that took thousands to prep and plant, vs the "mixed grass" crap being marketed which is nothing but weeds out of ditches being rolled up.

If it is such a "gravy" deal why don't you buy a semi and trailer an make yourself rich doing it.

As far as "easy" and hauling hay are not usually spoken together. To be legal you have to have every bale/row/stack strapped now. You did not say round bales, large squares,or small squares. I am guessing for you to unload them in about an hour then it is large squares bales. They are the easiest form of hay to haul but then you have to have them tarped if it is a very long haul.

IF the loads are over width the permits are not cheap.

So all in all I will bet that you do not get too many "cheap" bids on the hauling.

I don't think you'll find a reputable trucker that will haul for less than $4/ml anywhere.

Sorry to hear that Reitred. We've had some "fly by niters" that wanted to cash in on the hay business when it was hot and would put up anything they could get. You probly got loads of what we call "Downy brome". Looks good but nothing will eat it. Really burns my tail that someone would take advantage of others in hard times, but I guess it happens all the time.

(quoted from post at 23:43:39 07/02/13) If it is such a "gravy" deal why don't you buy a semi and trailer an make yourself rich doing it.

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I think that is precisely what every trucker believes. "I am going to get rich driving a truck." I have no interest in driving a truck and certainly would not expect to get rich doing it. Despite what truckers want to believe, it is not that hard to throw some straps on a load (correctly) and drive. Yes, I DO know it is a bit more involved than that but not much. However, I come from a technical background so maybe strapping and proper load distribution comes easier.

These are 4x5 rounds so no over height, over width, over weight to worry about. Super simple haul. The fact that the last guy took 5 smoke breaks and took longer to strap up than I did to load is not my problem.

(quoted from post at 17:54:17 07/03/13)

(quoted from post at 23:43:39 07/02/13) If it is such a "gravy" deal why don't you buy a semi and trailer an make yourself rich doing it.

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I think that is precisely what every trucker believes. "I am going to get rich driving a truck." I have no interest in driving a truck and certainly would not expect to get rich doing it. Despite what truckers want to believe, it is not that hard to throw some straps on a load (correctly) and drive. Yes, I DO know it is a bit more involved than that but not much. However, I come from a technical background so maybe strapping and proper load distribution comes easier.

These are 4x5 rounds so no over height, over width, over weight to worry about. Super simple haul. The fact that the last guy took 5 smoke breaks and took longer to strap up than I did to load is not my problem.

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Fastline: I would like to see you throw the top straps on a double stacked load of round bales. Try it with just a little wind and you will find it is not "easy" as you think. We haul 32 bales doubles stacked. ( 5X6 bales) You strap the bottom 9 rows than put the top 8 rows on. The top 8 are the fun ones. I have thrown one strap 3-4 times to get it on the top bales with some wind. Then if there are any loose bales or tapered ones that just makes it more fun.

We have two semis with 53 step deck trailers hauling hay everyday from mid Oct until early Apr. We mainly haul into and out of the local hay sale. Here is how we charge: $150 Minimum regardless the length of haul. Then it is $4 a loaded mile or $60 per hour which every is greater. You jack around loading or unloading you are paying for it. For this you get your hay hauled by a INSURED and Permitted trucking company. You did not say how long your haul is. Longer hauls (150 miles or more) we will quot for $3.50 per loaded mile and $50 an hour after one hour on loading and unloading.

Any one quoting much cheaper than this is not licensed or insured. Those two things run about $4500 per truck and trailer each year.