Tips for Choosing the best Load Board
As an owner-operator, you know you need to find loads to haul. Your business is based on running as many loaded miles as you can in order to maximize your profits and mileage. One great way to find loads is through online freight matching services, also known as load boards. These websites can save you a lot of time hunting down work, so you can spend your time earning money.
Low cost
Make sure you find a freight matching service that fits within your budget. A good load board will pay for itself after a few loads.
User-friendly interface
Is the load board user-friendly? Look for an intuitive interface, so you don’t waste time searching for loads, posting your truck or using other value-added features.
Free trial
Look for a load board that offers a free trial, so you can test it to see if it suits your needs. Be weary of a load board that does not offer a free trial.
Mobile apps
When you’re on the go, you need a freight match service that offers the same access on your phone or tablet as what you can see on your computer.
Ways to Find the Loads that are Right for You and Your Trucking Business
Anyone can go to a load board and find a load, but how do you find the loads that are right for you and your trucking business? And what actions can you take so that you aren’t always worried about finding the next load?
Decide who you want to work with.
Before you do anything, figure out who you want to be in business with. Figuring out what kind of customers you want to focus on will help you find them. It also means you can better narrow in on your business goals.
Use a good load board.
A good load board is the best tool you can have at your disposal. Use one that provides enough flexibility to support your unique business needs. Make sure it has plenty of volume so you have the freedom to work with who you want, when you want, with the ability to move what you want. (Truckstop.com’s Load Board has hundreds of thousands of loads to choose from!) It should offer the features you need to make the right decisions for your business. Look for options like sorting by rate, origin, and broker rating which will help you find the loads that work best for you. The best load boards will offer tons of features like the ability to create multiple stops so you can plan ahead or the ability to book loads instantly (no negotiations required), as well as heat maps so you know where the best-paying loads are.
Focus on broker relationships.
It might be hard to hear it, but focusing on having good relationships with brokers can help your wallet later down the road. If it’s a lane you like to run because it gets you close to home or pays well, make sure the broker knows that, then provide the best service you can so they want to go to you in the future. If you’re reliable, provide excellent customer service, and they know you’re interested, they will call you directly instead of posting a load to the board, and that saves both of you time and resources. Brokers also have the ability to add you to their preferred carrier list on Truckstop.com, offering you access to exclusive Book It Now loads that save you time and get you paid quickly.
Search for more than one type of trailer.
Including more than one trailer type will produce better search results. If you focus too closely on one kind of trailer, you may miss loads that can go on various types of trailers. If you have a reefer, you can also run it as a dry van. If you’re only looking for full truckloads, you’re missing less-than-load (LTL) options. This obviously doesn’t work for everything (you can’t haul ice cream on a flatbed), but consider giving it a try when you’re in a pinch. You rely on your instincts every day, so go into situations knowing there is always a way to make it work for you.
Moving Loading Services
Loading seems simple, but it’s essential to having a good moving experience. For starters, tightly loading the truck helps ensure less shifting during transit, which means fewer scratches or dings. Proper loading also ensures that you’ll only need to use as much of the truck as estimated.
How it works
If you pack your own stuff, you want to have everything ready to go when the truck arives so you have plenty of time. With a professional move, a two to five man crew will load your things on moving day depending on the size of your residence and the amount of items you are moving.
Pricing
Pricing depends on the type and amount of stuff that needs to be loaded.
How to Choose the Right Crane and Reduce Risk When Buying a Used One
With advancements in technology, lifting cranes have become a lot more common. Almost all construction and demolition projects, as well as transport or shipping of heavy materials, require powerful lifting cranes. However, the success of your project depends on choosing the right one. Doing so will also prevent potential accidents and damages, saving your time, money, and improving your reputation as a safe workplace
Check the Load Weight to Be Lifted.
One of the first things you need to consider is the weight of the load to be lifted or moved using the crane. Naturally, you need a crane with a suitable lifting capacity to move the load. If you use a high-capacity crane for a small load, you will most likely end up wasting time, labor, and money. On the other hand, a low-capacity crane can lead to fatal accidents and cause damage to the load.
Know the Lift Height.
The height of the lifting load is as critical as the load capacity of the crane. The length of the crane’s boom will depend on how high the loading material needs to go. If the construction is vertical, you will need a lift with a longer boom length
Find the Moving Distance (Horizontal).
Just like the vertical distance, the crane also will need to travel some horizontal distance to pick up the load. If you need the crane to transport the equipment from one spot to the other, you will need to get a mobile crane with wheels. If there is a fixed path of movement, you can use a crane with rails.
Evaluate the On-Site Terrain.
All types of cranes require a support structure to hold them firmly to the ground. It is the most crucial element that stabilizes the crane and the load. So you will need to choose a suitable crane depending on the terrain.
Choosing the Right Forklift for Your Business
Choosing the right forklift is important for your business. It affects everything from operation costs, productivity, employee morale and stock management.
Environment
Your business environment will influence the type of forklift, tyre selection and fuel type
Load Size / Capacity
It would be a big mistake to choose a forklift with a maximum lift capacity that is below your requirements
The type of load also matters as there are specific forklift attachments that can enhance a standard forklift and help you move the load more efficiently. There are many types of attachments available: appliance clamps, carton clamps, paper roll clamps, etc.
Fuel type
There are three types of fuel options – electric, gas or diesel