Hay Load Gained Weight.

Had a hay load delivering in CA. It loaded out of Holden UT. Just one farmer who was leaving as soon as he got me loaded. Big bales, no way to secure them, but that's usually fine as they load floor to ceiling, all the way back. This time however, it was heavy product. Still pretty stable load.

I explained to him that I had to go scale it, and if it wouldn't scale at the 40 that I'd come back on Monday, we typically do that. He acknowledged.

It scaled out at 33,980 at the 40 foot mark. Drives were 31,900. Its legal so I took off. I ended up T calling the load.

I got a call on Monday from my Terminal manager asking if I had scaled the load legal for CA. The driver picking up the load couldn't get it to scale out.

I explained to her that I did, infact scale it andattached the scale ticket to the bol and left all the paperwork in the nose box for the relay driver. I scanned the ticket in and sent a copy in with my paperwork too.

She thanked me for my diligence and noted it all down.

Turns out the load had shifted or picked up enough moisture, or both just enough to be over on the tandems. I found it interesting, but also concerning. I contemplated calling it in when I scaled it because I've had hay loads gain weight over time. Also had paper loads get heavier as well.

I guarantee you it sweated inside that closed up box and absorbed all the condensation. Repeat that over a couple days and that's a bunch of extra weight.

Very interesting. Something that would never have crossed my mind if you hadn't brought it to our attention, Davey.

I guarantee you it sweated inside that closed up box and absorbed all the condensation. Repeat that over a couple days and that's a bunch of extra weight.

PackRat, do you know if they would fine a driver for something like this? Assuming they had their original scale ticket that showed a legal weight on all three sections.

I know there's a decision pending or maybe already has on bulk load weights being over because they shift over time. I don't know if bailed hay is considered bulk though.

It did sit for 4 days, hot to cold to hot.

Which brings up another thought, I've bailed a lot of hay, and we used to have to stack the bottom rows on edge as well make sure it was bailed dry because if they are wet, they will heat up and spontaneously combust, especially with alfalfa.

I’d be surprised if a driver could be held accountable for something like this. It’s totally out of his control.

I’d be surprised if a driver could be held accountable for something like this. It’s totally out of his control.

I wouldn't be surprised at all.

Ask 10 DOT cops to explain Personal Conveyance and you'll get 13 different answers.

The driver is in control and legally bound once that BOL is passed.

That is crazy putting hay in a box trailer. It sure did sweat and suck up the condensation. I grew up on a dairy farm and have dealt with alot of hay.

It’s on the driver and company once you accept a load. Another readon to not put hay in a box.

That is crazy putting hay in a box trailer. It sure did sweat and suck up the condensation. I grew up on a dairy farm and have dealt with alot of hay.

It’s on the driver and company once you accept a load. Another readon to not put hay in a box.

Do they ever ship hay in a reefer to avoid this problem? If they put hay in my reefer, I’d hate to have to sweep out the debris. It would probably have to be blown out.

I recall picking up empty aluminum cans that were bound for a bottler. Their biggest concern was that my empty must not have any hay in it. When they said this I thought it was ridiculous. What moron would ship hay in a box? Apparently it's a thing.

It is done out west a lot. Remember, hay is also shipped overseas, so it must be placed into a secure container or trailer-type.