Harvesting Gigs

So my friend went into some harvesting jobs last year and told me it would be more my style.

I was curious if anyone had any experience with them and what their thoughts were?

I'm not enjoying the constant city driving and having to find parking in and around city's at night. Not to mention the attitude of most receivers and shippers. They just seem pretty calloused and rude.

I figure I can do some harvesting gigs, maybe get some combine experience during the spring, summer and fall then take the winter off. I'm not too inclined on this ice, snow and summits either.

I know it probably doesn't pay as well as otr work which I'm ok with. Honestly the OTR work hasn't been paying as consistently as I thought it would and the expenses out here are ridiculous. I made better money working in an office sitting at a desk. So far after six months I've gotten about an average of about 800$ a week if not less. It just seems miniscule by comparison to the kind of stress and worry this job has pushed on me. I'm not knocking the job, don't get me wrong there. It's ok, but the dangers, risk and inconsistency has been too much thsee last six months. Someone told me I have to put the time in to figure it out but I'm tired of freezing at night because my apu knocks out or tired of driving in circles looking for a parking spot. The isolation is pretty brutal.

But i sometimes comes with a hotel and meals with a semi-stable place to sleep. E.g. a hotel room with a shower. Any ideas?

Thank you!

Shipper:

The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Hudson, this job isn't for everyone and sometimes it takes doing it to come to this realization. Most folks come into this completely oblivious to its realities, they spend months planning all the things that don't matter without giving full effort that's needed to just get yourself in the drivers seat.

You live 10 minutes from me so I'm familiar with your area. I think it could work, but will require you to move to Central CA because that's where most of the harvesting/farming is done.

Oh I was thinking nebraska then further south. I was gonna do it for a few seasons but don't want to deal with the cold seasons.

...and the expenses out here are ridiculous.

I'm curious, what we're you spending so much money on that you would make this statement? I find that I hardly have any expenses at all on the road. Lodging and utilities are all included in the truck, a cell phone costs the same no matter where you go, etc. The only thing I really spend a significant amount of money on is food, and even that is usually only about $75 a week.

The first three things that come to mind about most farm work:

1) 70 hour weeks

2) Boring, boring, boring

3) Low pay

I can totally understand that you're not into the travelling thing. Like Daniel said, it's certainly not for everyone. And if you're not into the travelling lifestyle then I would agree with you that trucking does not pay enough for the sacrifices, hard work, and risks involved. I absolutely loved the travelling lifestyle which is why trucking was so much fun for me. But if the road is wearing on you then it's time to look elsewhere.

I live in a small farming town and these farmers are out there in the fields all hours of the night during spring, fall, and manure spreading time. They put in ridiculous hours. Just be prepared for that.

I don't mind the travelling it's mostly the travelling and not having time to see the sights and mingle with people. All you really see are truck stops and freeways. I guess it just isn't for me.

Unfortunate really, I was hoping it would pay better than the last job but it really hasn't added up. HHG miles are eating my clock and not paying me for it.