Bulk trucking is a type of shipping service that moves unpacked materials by road, often liquids or solids. Specialized equipment is needed to transport these materials, and loading is done differently. Bulk trucking companies charge per mile and must meet regulations for hazardous materials and weight limits.
Bulk trucking is a type of truck-based shipping service that moves bulk materials from one location to another by road. Any transport is considered bulk transport if the items are unpacked and generally sold by weight or volume rather than by individual pieces. Bulk trucking is often used to transport liquids, such as gasoline, or solids, such as grain. The equipment used to transport these materials can be very specialized, leading some bulk carriers to specialize in carrying certain materials.
The primary job of a bulk trucking service is usually to get the materials being transported from a manufacturing or storage area, such as a grain silo, to a processing plant. Once there, the truck can then take the finished product to another distribution facility where it will eventually be sold to an end user, or it can go out via a more traditional trucking service after being packaged for retail sale.
In many cases, the difference between the equipment needed for bulk trucking versus regular trucking is significant. Trucks handling bulk materials need to make sure it is completely sealed because the materials are not packed. These bulk materials could be lost very quickly in a traditional semi-trailer. Therefore, trailers used in bulk transportation are more expensive and usually made of steel, possibly with an internal lining depending on what is to be transported.
Loading materials into a bulk truck is usually done differently than a traditional truck, especially if the product is liquid. These often need to be protected from the outside elements and are then loaded into fully enclosed containers using pipes and valves to control the flow. Grain can be loaded from the top after a truck enters a loading area located directly below where the grain will be dropped from.
Bulk trucking companies usually charge per mile. Therefore, longer trips generally incur higher fares than shorter trips, as it is more expensive work. Weight and materials may also play a part in the price quoted. Bulk trucking companies capable of handling hazardous materials, for example, may charge a premium for such services because of the inherent risks and special precautions required.
While bulk trucking companies often specialize in what they do, they still have to meet all the regulations that any other trucking company must meet. This applies to proper posting of hazardous materials, weight limits and driver time limits. Often, these things can be more important to bulk shipping services, as accident cleanup can be more difficult and costly with unpacked cargo.
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