40 November 4, 2014 2014 LOGAN COUNTY FARM OUTLOOK MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com
knowing that the truck is available
whenever it is needed is a major factor.
He also feels it has been more efficient
to have a semi than to have to hire one
especially during busy time, and notes
that though the cost is high, it saves
money in the long run.
Herman Schwantz used to contract
out, but has owned a semi for
approximately nine years. Major
factors for him are “efficiency, time,
and cost.” He says, “you can load
more in a semi” [and make fewer]
trips to the elevator.” In addition,
“grain trucks have weight limits” that
semis do not.
Some area farmers have more than one
semi, so they often have to hire seasonal
help in order to get all the grain hauled in.
Those who are not ready to purchase their
own semi sometimes contract out by hiring
truck drivers to help haul grain at harvest
time, using one of the area trucking compa-
nies such as Steven Goodman Trucking and
Excavating.
For hauling the piles on the ground, the
drivers are paid hourly. When hauling to
the elevators in places as far as Havana,
they are paid by the bushel, and the dis-
tance also figures into the cost.
Whether farmers are using tandems and
grain wagon, driving their own semis, or
hiring drivers to help haul the grain, Illinois
farmers are keeping busy hauling millions
of bushels each year.
