What Tools are required for Sand Truck Driving in the Oilfields

You will need a rubber mallet for one and take a basic set of tools so that you can make minor repairs yourself. Hauling frac sand you will spend alot of time sitting either waiting to load or to unload, so you will want to have a fridge and a TV to make the time go faster and be able to eat. Depending on where you are planning on hauling sand will depend on what type of roads you will encounter. If working the Marcellus shale in W. Pa, WV, & NY you will encounter mountain driving on narrow twisting skinny roads, so be prepared. In ND you will encounter extreme winter conditions so you will need to dress accordingly. Don't know much about the sand hauling in TX, but I am sure one of the forum members with experience in that area will add to this thread.

 

Texas is usually either hot or cold no in between. and your most important tool is patience because it takes a lot to sit for 3 or 4 days waiting to unload.

 

Whoa, three or four DAYS? Do you get some type of pay for that down time? (I have absolutely no knowledge about this work. . .)

 

I would hope the company would supply most of what you need as they are required for your job.

For actual unloading - Hearing protection, gloves, rubber mallet (not required, but some people like them, I just bang the trailer with my hand to figure out how much cement is in it while unloading.) Regular claw hammer (this will be used for closing the clamps on the hoses. It is best practice not to hammer on the levers themselves but push on them with your hand while hammering on the opposide side of the hose. You will damage and eventually break the levers off if you are constantly hammering them) Depending on the set up of your trailer you may want a flashlight or head lamp. My trailers have work lights on them but if you dont it will be a pain to see in the dark. Crescent wrench - Can be helpful if you have a valve handle come off while you are driving, that way you can still open and close them, or just a spare handle.

In my trucks I also keep a jug of oil and antifreeze, and now that it is going to be winter soon a box of windshield washer fluid as you will go through it quick in the winter, snowbrush (disregard if you will be working in texas). I have put the liquids in totes so that if something breaks and starts to leak it will be contained. I am also lucky that on my trailers they have built a storage box into the dead space at the rear of the trailer. I have also put in a tool kit that I picked up at a hardware store, has screw drivers wrenches plyers etc, you should also have a safety vest, first aid kit

In the truck you should keep paper towel and glass cleaner, dash cleaner so that you can keep your mirrors and windows clean and the cab relatively dust free.

It is my opinion that a company should supply all of these for you or reimburse them as they are all incidentals related to the operation of their vehicle. I would give them a call a few days before you start to see what they have in there already and what you need to pick up yourself.

You will probably need to bring your own office type supplies: clipboard, pens, paperclips/stapler, notepad, a few large envelopes to keep all your paperwork in and organized

From what i have heard about sand hauling, you will have to get used to waiting a lot so make sure you have plenty of food and things to keep you entertained (laptop, Tv, Movies, book etc)

 

I always carried a pair of vice grips, (not the big ones, but the smaller ones, they will fit in your pocket while unloading if not needed), when pulling the pneumatic tanks, it is not uncommon for the product discharge valves to have the "catch" broken or worn out, and you can use the vice grips to clamp behind the lever to maintain the valve setting, otherwise they tend to vibrate to the closed position.