CDL-A Harvest Grain Truck Driver – Manual Transmission

Top Job

Located in Monticello, IL

Salary: $18 - $30/hr

Season: Peak fall harvest
Schedule: Weather permitting, up to seven days per week with approximately 12-hour shifts
Locations: Multiple rural locations throughout Champaign County, generally 20 minutes or more outside Champaign
Employment Type: Seasonal harvest opportunity with significant overtime available

Make the Harvest Season Count

Harvest only comes once a year. If you are ready to run farm hours and maximize your earning opportunity while the season is moving, this is your window.

Multiple Champaign County agricultural operations are hiring CDL-A Drivers to haul grain between fields, farms, elevators, and designated grain sites. Significant overtime is available during peak harvest, and every hour is paid on a weekly paycheck.

This is not a standard Monday-Friday driving job. Weather permitting, drivers should expect long days and seven-day workweeks while crops are coming out of the field.

What You'll Do

• Operate a CDL-A grain truck with a 10-speed manual transmission
• Haul grain between fields, farms, elevators, and assigned grain sites
• Operate assigned hopper-bottom, dump-trailer, or similar grain-hauling equipment
• Position equipment accurately in field, loading, and unloading areas
• Coordinate with farm crews, elevator employees, and site contacts
• Complete pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections
• Maintain required delivery information and driving records
• Navigate rural roads, farm entrances, and changing field conditions
• Work extended farm hours as weather and crop conditions allow

Manual Transmission Requirement

• Proven ability to operate a 10-speed manual commercial vehicle is required
• Drivers must be able to demonstrate confident manual shifting
• An automatic-only CDL restriction will not qualify
• Manual transmission experience is non-negotiable

Required Qualifications

• Current Class A CDL
• Commercial truck-driving experience
• Availability for approximately 12-hour shifts during peak harvest
• Availability for up to seven days per week when weather permits
• Reliable transportation to an assigned rural Champaign County location
• Ability to meet applicable DOT and assignment-specific driving requirements

Preferred Experience and Endorsements

• Grain hauling
• Farm or agricultural operations
• Previous seasonal harvest work
• Hopper-bottom trailers
• Dump trailers
• Local rural routes
• Grain elevators
• Tanker endorsement

A tanker endorsement is strongly preferred and may qualify drivers for more available assignments.

Work Environment

• Long seasonal shifts with substantial time behind the wheel
• Rural roads, farms, grain elevators, and field-access areas
• Dusty agricultural environments and changing weather conditions
• Frequent entry into and exit from commercial vehicles
• Schedules that may change based on weather, crop conditions, and grain movement

Why Drive Harvest With Us?

• Significant overtime earning opportunity during peak season
• Weekly pay-your harvest hours hit your paycheck every week
• Competitive $18.00-$28.00 hourly range
• Multiple assignments available throughout Champaign County
• Local grain hauling rather than over-the-road routes
• Opportunity to put agricultural, hopper, dump-trailer, or tanker experience to work
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Referral bonus

This is seasonal work tied directly to harvest conditions. The hours can be demanding, but experienced harvest drivers know this is the season to stack them.

#CHAMILST

Express Office: Champaign

1001 North Mattis Avenue

Champaign, IL 61821