Learn the language of bulk freight. From BOLs and scale tickets to tare weights and demurrage, every term you need to know.
A trailer that uses a conveyor belt on the floor to unload bulk commodities. Common for aggregates and materials that need controlled unloading.
A legal document between a shipper and carrier detailing the type, quantity, and destination of goods being carried. In bulk freight, BOLs include commodity type, weight, and origin/destination.
Commodities transported in large, unpackaged quantities like grain, sand, gravel, fertilizer, and liquids. Bulk freight is typically measured by weight (tons) rather than piece count.
Miles driven without a load (empty). Deadhead miles are a major cost for carriers and reducing them is key to profitability. BulkTMS tracks deadhead per driver and per lane.
A charge for excessive loading or unloading time beyond the agreed-upon free time. In bulk freight, demurrage often occurs at elevators, quarries, and job sites during peak seasons.
A centralized view showing all loads, drivers, and statuses. Modern dispatch boards like BulkTMS replace whiteboards and spreadsheets with real-time digital management.
Foreign material (weed seeds, stems, chaff) found in a grain sample. Dockage reduces the net weight used for payment calculations.
A trailer that unloads by raising its front end, allowing cargo to slide out the rear gate. Common for aggregates, sand, gravel, and construction materials.
An additional charge applied to freight rates to offset fluctuating fuel costs. Typically calculated as a percentage of the base rate.
A quality classification for grain based on test weight, moisture content, damaged kernels, and foreign material. Common grades include #1, #2, and #3 Yellow Corn.
The total weight of a loaded truck including the trailer, tractor, and cargo. Gross weight minus tare weight equals net weight (the weight of the commodity).
A trailer with a V-shaped bottom and gates that allow bulk commodities to be unloaded by gravity. The most common trailer type for grain and dry bulk hauling.
An agreement between US states and Canadian provinces for reporting fuel use by motor carriers operating in more than one jurisdiction.
A specific origin-destination route. Carriers analyze lanes by profitability, volume, and deadhead to optimize their dispatch decisions.
An online marketplace where shippers and brokers post available loads and carriers search for freight. BulkLoads.com is the #1 load board for bulk freight.
The percentage of water in a grain sample. Moisture affects grade, price, and storage. Typical acceptable moisture for corn is 15% or less.
The weight of the commodity alone, calculated by subtracting tare weight from gross weight. Net weight determines payment in per-ton billing.
Technology that reads text from images. BulkTMS uses OCR to automatically extract data from photographed BOLs, scale tickets, and invoices.
A truck driver who owns and operates their own truck. Many bulk freight operations are run by owner-operators hauling grain, aggregates, or other commodities.
A sealed tank trailer that uses air pressure to unload dry bulk commodities like flour, cement, plastic pellets, and fly ash.
A document from a certified scale showing the weight of a loaded and/or empty truck. Scale tickets are essential for per-ton billing in bulk freight.
The weight of an empty truck and trailer. Tare weight is subtracted from gross weight to determine the net weight of the commodity being hauled.
A measure of grain density, expressed in pounds per bushel. Test weight affects grain grade and pricing. Standard test weight for corn is 56 lbs/bushel.
Software that helps carriers, brokers, and shippers manage freight operations, including dispatching, load tracking, invoicing, and analytics. BulkTMS is built specifically for bulk freight.
A trailer with a moving floor system that pushes bulk cargo out the rear. Used for wood chips, feed ingredients, recycling materials, and other bulk products.
Cleaning a tanker trailer between loads to prevent contamination. Required when switching between different liquid products, especially food-grade commodities.
26 terms defined