Transporting fine materials like cement, flour, or plastic pellets requires specialized pneumatic trucking services. We reviewed Illinois carriers on factors like safety, reliability, and pricing, and JAS Trucking, Inc. stood out as the best choice for secure material handling.
Pneumatic Shipping Services & Transport in Illinois
Check out our top picks for the best pneumatic shipping services to find the right solution for your needs.
Why Trust FreightWaves Ratings?
There’s a reason we’re one of the world’s leading authorities on the global freight market. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the industry and is up-to-date on employment trends, regulations, and other insights into the trucking workforce.
We conduct thorough research and data analysis to develop our recommendations for the best trucking companies in Illinois. Every Illinois trucking firm is closely scrutinized based on its service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies’ safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real users have to say about their experience.
From there, we narrow our focus to select only those top-performing and highest-rated firms to give you an informed and up-to-date list of the best trucking companies in Illinois for your commercial shipping needs.
JAS Trucking, Inc.
12843 S Pulaski Rd, Alsip, IL, 60803- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Chemicals
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Auto carrier
- Conestoga
- Container
- Step deck
- Hopper bottom
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Pneumatic
- Power only
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
- Hot shot
- B-train semi
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
JAS Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 582316) is a recognized carrier in Illinois with a fleet size of 164 and a satisfactory safety rating. They offer a comprehensive range of services, exceeding in specialized freight transportation, handling a wide variety of cargo, including beverages, chemicals, dry bulk commodities, general freight, intermodal containers, and liquids/gases. Their diverse equipment includes tankers, flatbeds, and lowboys, supporting their capacity to manage specialized and cross-border shipments efficiently.
JAS Trucking provides dedicated routes and guarantees home time for drivers, showcasing strong driver support programs. They offer extensive employee benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid CDL training. Known for their reliability in commercial shipments, they include services like power-only, cross-docking, and drayage. With an emphasis on safety and driver fulfillment, JAS Trucking is a solid choice for businesses seeking a versatile and dependable shipping partner.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 2.42
- Driver fitness: 0.07
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.13
- Vehicle maintenance: 7.9
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 82
- Revenue: $3,067
- Miles driven: 5,655,078
Heuerman Brothers Trucking, LLC
14375 E 1600th Ave, Effingham, IL, 62401- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 7 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Coal coke
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Oilfield equipment
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Pneumatic
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
Heuerman Brothers Trucking, LLC (DOT: 230299) is a reputable trucking company based in Illinois. With a fleet size of 1 to 10 vehicles, they expertly handle various transportation needs, operating as an active interstate carrier. The company specializes in moving cargo such as agricultural and farm supplies, building materials, coal cokes, machinery, and oilfield equipment.
Notable for their capability in transporting commodities like general freight, grain, feed, hay, and paper products, Heuerman Brothers Trucking, LLC ensures reliable delivery with a strong safety record and a satisfactory rating. The company provides its employees with valuable benefits, including health insurance and a 401(k) retirement plan, and offers dry bulk transportation and tanker services to accommodate diverse commercial shipping requirements.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.78
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 26
- Revenue: $9,484
- Miles driven: 650,455
Gully Transportation, Inc.
3820 Wismann Lane, Quincy, IL, 62305- Fleet size: 100+ Corp Only
- Insurance: $5,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Liquids & gases
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Auto carrier
- Hopper bottom
- Pneumatic
- Power only
- Dump trailer
Gully Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 159915) is a reputable trucking company based in Illinois, established in 1947. With a robust fleet of 636 vehicles and 350 trailers, they specialize in transporting a diverse range of cargo, including beverages, building materials, chemicals, dry bulk commodities, and paper products. Their fleet includes power-only units and dump trailers, reflecting their capability to handle various transportation needs efficiently.
Gully Transportation provides dedicated support for shipping hazardous materials, emphasizing safety with their “Satisfactory” safety rating. Despite having reported incidents, their unsafe driving score remains relatively low. The company prioritizes guaranteed home time and flexible scheduling, making it an attractive choice for drivers and clients alike. While they do offer a sign-on bonus, they are committed to competitive service rather than the traditional benefit packages, ensuring reliable and proficient transportation solutions for businesses.
Safety
- Crashes: 20
- Unsafe driving: 1.03
- Driver fitness: 0.09
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.2
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.08
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 3
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 155
- Revenue: $1,331,000
- Miles driven: 13,600,000
How Safety Ratings Work in Illinois
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety & Accountability (CSA) program evaluates trucking companies using BASICS (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories)
Here’s a look at what each of the BASICS cover:
- Crashes: Trucking companies are required to report any accidents that result in injury or death. The FMSCA uses these state-reported crashes to determine any patterns of crash involvement and potential behaviors contributing to that pattern.
- Unsafe driving: This CSA category covers behaviors like texting and speeding that can lead to accidents
- Driver fitness: The FMCSA requires trucking companies to keep up-to-date records on their drivers. That includes identification and paperwork like CDLs, annual driving reviews, and any relevant medical certifications or documentation. Violations of this category will result in lower overall safety scores.
- Hours-of-service compliance: The FMCSA cites truckers and trucking companies that do not follow or enforce hours-of-service regulations that limit how much time a large commercial vehicle operator can be on the road without rest.
- Vehicle maintenance: Truckers are responsible for completing inspections before hitting the road on a route. They must also log any issues and have repairs to those identified problems completed before operating the truck.
- Controlled substances: As with all vehicle operators, truckers must be sober behind the wheel. This category accounts for violations issued to a trucking company’s driver(s) for being under the influence of or in possession of alcohol and street drugs or prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines that could impair judgement.
- Hazardous materials violations: Trucking companies and their drivers must exhibit proper loading and handling of hazardous materials, including labeling these items correctly, ensuring packaging meets regulations, and follows all restrictions and rules for the vehicle type.
Companies scoring a zero for any or all of the above categories did not receive any citations or other violations within a given month. Essentially, any trucking company that has multiple zeroes in these categories can likely be considered a safe freight shipper in compliance with all FMCSA standards and regulatory requirement.
Choosing the Right Pneumatic Trucking Company in Illinois for Your Shipments
We recommend you consider the following when looking for a Pneumatic carrier to ship your manufacturing business’ materials:
- Material compatibility: Make sure the Illinois carrier you hire specializes in transporting materials like cement, chemicals, food powders, and resins to ensure secure handling.
- Specialized trailer features: Pneumatic trailers use pressurized systems for loading and unloading. Choose a carrier in Illinois with the latest equipment and positive maintenance records to help ensure you’re getting the best service.
- Cleaning standards: For sensitive or food-grade materials, select a Pneumatic provider in Illinois that follows stringent cleaning protocols to prevent contamination between loads.
- Regulatory compliance: Choose a Pneumatic carrier that adheres to state and federal safety and environmental regulations, especially if you need to ship hazardous materials.
- Driver experience: Skilled drivers trained in operating Pneumatic systems are better able to safely and efficiently handle your materials during transit.
- Real-Time Tracking and Communication: Carriers offering tracking and responsive communication keep you updated on shipment status, critical for time-sensitive deliveries.
- Insurance and liability coverage: Verify that the Illinois carrier’s insurance is adequate for the value and nature of your cargo, especially if it contains high-value or specialized materials.
FAQs
How does Pneumatic trucking help maintain material quality during transit?
Pneumatic trucking provides a closed, pressurized environment, which prevents contamination and moisture exposure. This makes it ideal for maintaining the purity and integrity of sensitive materials.
What unloading options do Pneumatic trailers offer?
Pneumatic trailers offer an air pressure system for unloading materials. This system reduces manual handling and the need for additional equipment and allows for efficient, dust-free unloading of fine materials.
Are there specific regulatory requirements for Pneumatic shipping in Illinois?
Yes, Pneumatic shipping must adhere to government regulations related to material safety, containment, and environmental standards. Carriers in Illinois must comply with guidelines from agencies like the U.S. Department of Transportation and ensure proper handling and cleaning procedures to prevent contamination.
Other Types of Transport Options for Your Shipments
Depending on the types of products your business retails or manufactures, you may have several shipping options to choose from.
- Hopper Bottom Shipping Services
- Beverage Shipping Services
- Box Truck Shipping Services
- Drayage Shipping Services
- Dry Bulk Shipping Services
- Dry Van Shipping Services
- Flatbed Shipping Services
- Hot Shot Shipping Services
- Intermodal Shipping Services
- LTL Shipping Services
- Parcel Delivery Shipping Services
- Power-Only Shipping Services
- Reefer Shipping Services
- Tanker Shipping Services
