Trucking: Dirt Yard Start-up, trucking experience, dump trucking

Question
My better half has the trucking experience, so bear with my ignorance.  He has been an O/O, and has a few connections as a result.  He has an opportunity to purchase some property and he wants to 'run a dirt yard.'  

I'm the business side of anything we do--and I'm a trucking idiot.  When I go to look up any data on the Internet, I cannot find anything about these kinds of businesses.

I'm worried I'm not using the correct terminology for the searches to get my answers?  I find trucking/trucker information, but nothing about dirt yards.  

Obviously, I'm trying to find places/ways I could find out what type of legal structure we should be, what kinds of insurance would be necessary, and how to establish income (I have no idea how the money is truly generated, or what the business relationship is between the trucker and the yard), expenses (what kinds are there), risks, how you secure the trucks/drivers, how do you find them to come to you for dumping, equipment/costs...I'm trying to evaluate how feasible this is against the debt we'd owe to investors. I can't do a business plan being an idiot.  What scares me more is that I think these kinds of businesses have a lot of under the table aspects---which I'm not familiar with.  True?  If so, how on earth do you measure, anticipate, or bank on that?


I have a yard about 5 miles from me, but the yard to be purchased would not be competition...if there is nothing on line I can find, no books, then is it inappropriate to go to an established business and plead for knowledge?

I'm hoping that the fact I don't know where to start can be solved with appropriate terminology introductions to do a more accurate web search.  What are other names of these kinds of businesses?

Honestly, ANY guidance is helpful, as you can see. Shoot, I feel like I need you to help me spell my name.  :)

Answer
I'm not familiar with this specialty area, but try searching "dirt broker", or "dump trucking".  That might find similar business that will lead to other info.  Nothing says you can't ask anyone else in tey business for advice.  The worst that can happen is they say no.  Then search the phone book for other businesses in nearby towns.  The best way to learn is to ask someone who is already doing it.  You may even find a strategic partner that you work together with on large projects or refer business to each other.
Sorry I don't have any specific knowledge of this industry but wish you the best.
Jim.