"WTF" Things Wheel Holders Do

[Injun]

So, this Swifty lease-op got an undisclosed payout from Swift after winning a $2.6M injury settlement from a jury that had no idea what some idiots will do. Swift appealed the verdict and then the case was settled before the appeal was heard.

Swift ordered to pay owner-operator $2.6 million after trailer squashed his foot

The guy was a mentor and his student was at the wheel, while this knucklehead held the tandem pin pull handle out to move the weight on the trailer. A $10 pair of vise-grips snapped onto the handle when it was pulled out as far as it could be would have saved his foot from being run over after his student released the trailer brake rather than leave it set. But no, just holding the handle out saves ten seconds.

This moron was probably fired (or, in his case, his contract pulled) for this stupidity. However, despite the obvious and predictable dangers of doing this, I see drivers "help" each other like this all the time. Believe it or not, this was covered in my Swifty academy way back in January, 2007. We were told, "Don't do that. It's stupid. People have gotten killed doing that."

Yet, here we are.

 

[Injun]

Okay, in this one, Swifty chick didn't understand snap-back on the landing gear crank handle, when the gears are sticky and there's weight on the landing gear...or, she didn't put it in low gear. So, she goes to crank the landing gear up, the crank handle goes as far as it can and won't budge, she tries to force it and it recoils against the pressure. Since she's not smart enough to get her hands out of the way, it's Swift's fault.

Another Swift trucker brings lawsuit claiming maintenance negligence by carrier caused severe injuries

Solution: If the crank handle won't turn, don't force it. Figure out a way to get the pressure off the legs.

Low gear almost always works for me and I stay alert for snap-back. I spent over $5K on my teeth to get them straightened. I don't feel like losing them now, especially to landing gear handle snap-back...recoil...whatever you want to call it.

My other favorite method is to holler a yard jockey over and ask him to pick up the nose of the trailer so I can wind up the feet a little. Never had one tell me "no" and it ain't because I'm cute. I'm really not all that cute at my age.

 

[Tazz]

Walmart policy is to get a yard jockey. And if it still will not crank free take it to the shop.

 

[Southern Fried]

I was taught years ago to never,ever, EVER (yes, it was shouted at me) drop any trailer (loaded or empty) in the high side of the dollies. Always do at least 10 cranks on the low side and leave it there. But of course that is too hard for the fluffies today.

 

[Duck]

Okay, in this one, Swifty chick didn't understand snap-back on the landing gear crank handle, when the gears are sticky and there's weight on the landing gear...or, she didn't put it in low gear. So, she goes to crank the landing gear up, the crank handle goes as far as it can and won't budge, she tries to force it and it recoils against the pressure. Since she's not smart enough to get her hands out of the way, it's Swift's fault.

Another Swift trucker brings lawsuit claiming maintenance negligence by carrier caused severe injuries

Solution: If the crank handle won't turn, don't force it. Figure out a way to get the pressure off the legs.

Low gear almost always works for me and I stay alert for snap-back. I spent over $5K on my teeth to get them straightened. I don't feel like losing them now, especially to landing gear handle snap-back...recoil...whatever you want to call it.

My other favorite method is to holler a yard jockey over and ask him to pick up the nose of the trailer so I can wind up the feet a little. Never had one tell me "no" and it ain't because I'm cute. I'm really not all that cute at my age.

That's how I got this scar on my head.



I was lowering a high-dropped, loaded trailer with 43k in it, using brute force in high range because low range is for sissies, and the crossover pipe snapped where the bolt goes through it. Handle swung around in the opposite direction and smacked me on the noggin. I had to call a cab to take me to a little clinic nearby to get staples.

I had no idea I was entitled to a million dollar settlement.

I got gyp'ed

 

[Bored Insane]

It seems you're focused on Swift drivers, where do you get these info.? And what happened to the lawsuit for capturing Owner Op's wife changing clothes?

Most (or all) flatbed drivers for Swift that I've met are pretty cool, and some dry van drivers too.
Just today though, a Leased truck driver tried to talk me out of taking a spot in Jurupa Valley terminal.

 

[Injun]

Those are just two lawsuits that popped up on the same page. Other companies' drivers do the same stupid crap. I'm not picking on Swift specifically.

Remember, I'm a Swifty, too. I've been accused many times, of being a big Swift cheerleader.

When I find similar nonsense from other companies or no-name Peckerwood Express outfits, I'm more than happy to point out their drivers' stupidity, too.

The point of this thread is not to single out a company for ridicule, but to give us all something to learn from. Even I can use reminders of the basics sometimes.

 

[Duck]

Even I can use reminders of the basics sometimes.

OK first things first, turn the key clockwise, until it starts,...

 

[Injun]

OK first things first, turn the key clockwise, until it starts,...

 

[Keendriver]

Why is it so difficult to leave an inch or so of daylight under the landing gear when dropping a trlr so as to eliminate gettin smacked in the melon by the crank handle?


I ax this because when I was hauling groceries around it seemed like it was impossible to find a trlr that wasn't high dropped.


Van drivers......

 

[Injun]

Most of the trailers I pick up at the yard are dropped high. Part of the problem is my illustrious coworkers think it's necessary to run the tandems all the way forward when they finish their first drop. When they get back to the yard, they wind the landing gear all the way down, plus a couple of turns. The area we drop the trailers has slightly different terrain than where we hook trailers. Then, the weight of the freight presses down on the tires, especially since the tandems are all the way forward, the landing gear acts as a fulcrum and the nose of the trailer goes up a couple of inches just from being loaded. With all of these factors, I almost always have to low-gear the crank until the feet are sucked up about four inches before I can hook the trailer.

 

[Duck]

Most of the trailers I pick up at the yard are dropped high. Part of the problem is my illustrious coworkers think it's necessary to run the tandems all the way forward when they finish their first drop. When they get back to the yard, they wind the landing gear all the way down, plus a couple of turns. The area we drop the trailers has slightly different terrain than where we hook trailers. Then, the weight of the freight presses down on the tires, especially since the tandems are all the way forward, the landing gear acts as a fulcrum and the nose of the trailer goes up a couple of inches just from being loaded. With all of these factors, I almost always have to low-gear the crank until the feet are sucked up about four inches before I can hook the trailer.

Actually I think it's mostly because the loaded trailers are dropped on different terrain.

Could also be air ride. They drop a trailer, then it's suspension drops as it slowly loses air.

When hooking to a high-dropped trailer, the first thing I do is air up the suspension, even if it means the dolly legs are the only thing keeping it from rolling away. As soon as I've lowered it enough the 5th wheel is flat up against the bottom of the trailer, I back up and hook to it. Then the truck keeps it from rolling away when I finish raising the dollies.

 

[Duck]

This guy hit the ditch so hard his Swift logos fell off.

 

[Injun]

This guy hit the ditch so hard his Swift logos fell off.

View attachment 33729

 

[mndriver]

OK first things first, turn the key clockwise, until it starts,...

unless it's ALREADY RUNNING

 

[ironpony]

Prime Follies... a comedy show!



Had some nimrod back a trailer (and his tractor) off the side of a raised platform scale the other day. Tore a brake chamber off the trailer, and one off his tractor as well.

Sorry... no pics, I was chattin' with a road assist guy, and saw the picture.

 

[ironpony]

Then if course there was this genius, breakin' into house demolition..

Trans Am driver said he thought he hit a pole

 

[Injun]

OK first things first, turn the key clockwise, until it starts,...

unless it's ALREADY RUNNING

I think Ducky's been driving a sissy autoshift. In my truck, you have to push the clutch pedal to the floor or it won't start.

 

[mndriver]

no neutral safety in mine. Just reach in and hit the switch.

 

[Duck]

I think Ducky's been driving a sissy autoshift. In my truck, you have to push the clutch pedal to the floor or it won't start.

Most of the trucks I've driven will crank whether you step on the clutch or not.