Hiring a log loader truck--how much?

[treeslayer2003]

boys i'm sure he didn't mean that the way it sounded.

[Jhenderson]

Woodhauler's right. There's nothing worse than a trucker you can't depend on. Doesn't matter if he's broke down or just better dealed me. I don't tolerate people who don't do what they say they will do. I gladly pay more for someone who is on time and professional in manner and appearance. It makes me look good too.

[Woodhauler]

The guys I haul for that cut wood for a living, not hobby loggers that I see on here WANT A Reliable truck to haul there wood! They don't make a pay check if the trucker is broke down all the time! The guys that cut 8-10 loads ayear don't care who they get! :

@ "hobby Logger"...I hope that wasn't directed towards anyone trying to offer advice to the OP's question.

I have no idea why logging crews and mechanics say truck drivers a the biggest complainers in the busines...no idea at all...  :D

Have you ever tried to make a living with a truck????

[Woodhauler]

Woodhauler, do you consider me a HOBBY logger?  :D

Not if you make your living logging!

[azmtnman]

The guys I haul for that cut wood for a living, not hobby loggers that I see on here WANT A Reliable truck to haul there wood! They don't make a pay check if the trucker is broke down all the time! The guys that cut 8-10 loads ayear don't care who they get! :

I don't make my living logging.....
I don't make my living milling.....
I don't make my living building chicken coops, barns, sheds and small cabins....
I don't make my living being a pastor/missionary....
I don't make my living being an outdoor guide/outfitter....
I LIVE FOR A LIVING!!!
The bank can't come and take any of my equipment if I default and stick someone else with the bill.
  If you make a living using high dollar, nice looking equipment, GOOD FOR YOU! (Being honestly genuine). But you shouldn't feel entitled to your price or anyone else's business because of your cost of doing business. Most of my equipment looks junky but is well maintained and what is junky is because I bought it for little or nothing.
  Home Depot sells 6x6x16 for $83. I sell them for $50. Most people say I'm leaving money on the table. Yes! Because I can!!! I could charge $20 more and maybe buy a newer bigger tractor, but instead I use what I have. That person that wants/needs 6x6x16's can afford to buy several more from me and maybe do a job they couldn't otherwise afford to do.
   I'm not criticizing you, Woodhauler, just presenting another point of view. For everyone reading this, weigh what's important to you, live with less (especially stress) and LIVE MORE! You can't take it with you. 
Matt

[so il logger]

Very well said and very true

[beenthere]

... shouldn't feel entitled to your price or anyone else's business because of your cost of doing business.

Well stated.

[Woodhauler]

... shouldn't feel entitled to your price or anyone else's business because of your cost of doing business.

Well stated.

Maybe I should have worded it a little different, but its the guys that only cut a few loads a year that do the most moaning about the cost of trucking. Also they on the average have the worst wood piles. Nuff said I'm done with this.

[so il logger]

Yeah I have seen some nasty looking log pile's  :D That can be a pain, when I have to contract a trucker it is because of the 3 regular trucks are swamped. And sometime's I hire out one to deliver to a different mill than usual because of better market's. The 3 that haul my log's daily are pretty tied down to the one mill in particular and won't take the logs elsewhere. There are very few self loaders here so we load them on the trucks, usually truck is in and gone in 20 minute's with the trucker strapping down the load. As of now none of the truck's are moving because it is muddy, and i'm down with an injury

[Dave Shepard]

Before anyone can buy a worn out log truck, someone has to buy it new. I'd rather hire someone that I knew was going to deliver as promised, than to worry that my logs were red flagged on the side of the road somewhere. We've had this discussion before on here about people who charge too little because their equipment is paid for and worn out. I call it the slow race to the bottom.