Heavy Equipment Operator Training

Heavy equipment operator training is an essential educational prerequisite for any potential candidate looking to enter a stable and rewarding career in operating heavy equipment. With a rise in construction projects around the world, heavy equipment operators are in demand. The Department of Labor states that the career outlook for heavy equipment operating is on the rise and very good. Heavy equipment operators require specialized training in order to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to obtain and keep a job utilizing heavy equipment. Although experience will be accumulated with on-the-job hours, it is absolutely necessary that a potential operator receive proper training prior to entering the field.

Heavy equipment is the tool vital to nearly every business or individual in the construction industry. Heavy equipment operator training is essential for the proper and effective use of equipment such as backhoes, scrapers, excavators, motor graters, loaders, dump trucks, bulldozers, and other heavy vehicles.

Heavy equipment operator training programs usually range in duration from a little over a month to as long as 6 months. Most programs offer a good balance between in-classroom studies and out-of-classroom field training. Classroom courses cover important safety procedures, engineering, math, setup, maintenance and other fundamental topics. Field training consists of hands-on equipment training with emphasis on operations in a variety of situations and environments such as varying types of soil, slope, terrain, and climate conditions.

Upon graduation, a well-trained heavy equipment operator will be qualified to operate most common heavy equipment including backhoes, bulldozers, grader, loaders, excavators, and more. The heavy equipment operator trainee now enters the work force armed with the proper techniques and knowledge. The pay range of new candidates is around $13.00 to over $20.00/an hour dependent on the location, company, and scope of project. Many companies will not hire a candidate unless properly trained through accredited programs. Many heavy equipment operator training programs offer job-placement assistance upon graduation.

If you are already in the construction industry, or are looking to start a career in the industry, heavy equipment operating may be a great decision for you. To begin your career in heavy equipment operating, training is essential. The potential candidate should plan accordingly. Many government grants and scholarships are available to assist in obtaining proper certification and training.

Additional Heavy Equipment Training Resources:

Compact Excavator Training by Bobcat
Bobcat Training Resources

Heavy Equipment Heavy Hitters on the Rise

Heavy Equipment Manufacturer Giants Komatsu and Deere both report increases in sales.

Sales of Komatsu heavy equipment surged 54 per cent in the first ten months of this year form the same period, its agent PT United Tractors said.

SALES OF KOMATSU HEAVY EQUIPMENT SURGING IN INDONESIA

Deere & Co.'s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 52% as strong demand for farm equipment amid robust commodity markets more than offset continued weakness in the U.S. housing sector.

Farm Demand Powers Deere Profit

Excavator Training

Excavator Training is essential to the construction industry as excavators are one of the most widely used heavy equipment on job sites. Excavator training is also a core concentration of training among most heavy equipment training certification programs. Proper training will help to insure safe and efficient operations of the vehicle in the field. Proper training will benefit both new and experienced operators of excavators by showing safe, efficient and productive applications along with various techniques to enhance or improve the safe operation of excavators.

An excavator is an extremely versatile engineering vehicle consisting of an articulated arm, bucket and cab. Ranging from the mini to a full blown near 200,000 pounder, excavators are used in many roles such as material handling, digging (trenches, holes, foundations, etc...), demolition, general grading/landscaping, heavy lifting (for example: lifting and placing of pipes), river dredging, mining, and more.

Excavator training begins by identifying the various parts and components of the machine. Maintenance concerns are covered in detail as well as pre-op inspection. Safety standards are also stressed during this phase of training. Safety is key and most fundamental to operating and training of any heavy equipment. Many training programs will cover both OSHA and industry safety standards.

Excavator training includes trench digging, trench servicing and backfilling, loading haul units, and benching and sloping. Training will also cover respective safety concerns during these processes.

Digging trenches is the most common work task expected of excavators. Proper training will cover common trenching procedures. Preparing the trenching job, operating techniques, trench sloping, grade checking, various digging techniques, and productive cycle times are covered when examining trench digging with excavators. Proper trench digging will insure successful utility installation.

Various bedding procedures that are common to utility installation are addressed during this phase of excavator training. Servicing trenches, bedding procedures, backfilling, compaction procedures, and changing/carrying buckets are covered. In addition safety concerns will be addressed.

Loading trucks is also a very common task that an excavator operator will face. Excavator training will properly cover techniques such as preparation of the loading area, positioning the machine, positioning the truck, positioning the material in the truck, excavator setup, efficient tactics, dealing with steep slopes, and damage prevention. Of course, safety concerns will also be addressed.

Benching is a cut and fill process that is fundamental for performing many basic excavator operations. It is used in attaining a proper excavator setup as well as pioneering roads. Topics covered include cut and fill operations, road building, maneuvering the machine, benching Techniques, sloping Techniques, grade checking, and finish grading.
Understanding the fundamental procedures for proper setup, maintenance, use, and safety of the excavator and its operators will ensure successful candidates to enter sites well prepared. The demand for heavy equipment operators, including excavator operators, is on the rise. Operators can make a great living after proper training and certification.

Caterpillar and Dealers Show Educational Support

The Caterpillar Foundation and four dealerships recently delivered another $148,000 in instructional funding to Pennsylvania College of Technology and its students, bringing to nearly $1.5 million the total contribution since the Fall 1994 semester.Financial Support From

Caterpillar, Area Dealers Nears $1.5 Million

Viva Las Vegas!

Las Vegas has been on the rise for quite some time. I used to go there at least 3 times a year. Traffic on Fridays and traffic on Sundays, coming to/from Los Angeles. But what I noticed was that the city was expanding exponentially, as the lights would spread out further and further away from the famous strip. The housing industry in Vegas has been booming like no other area in the United States. Viva Las Vegas!

I came across this article that exemplifies their robust expansion. The NAHETS blog examined this expansion and what it means to the construction industry, more specifically, the need for heavy equipment operators.

"The Vegas Strip is leading the charge with $35.46 billion worth of projects planned through 2010, reports the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. Construction plans will add 42,092 more hotel rooms, 2,562 timeshare units and 3.49 million square feet of convention space. Another $13 billion in tentative projects could also build 36,703 hotel rooms and 7,088 timeshare units."

Las Vegas Hot Spot for Construction & Heavy Equipment Industries