The more training a heavy equipment operator receives, the more projects he can work on and the more money he can make. The most valuable operator on any site is going to be the person with the most experience with the most types of equipment. This is definitely an important aspect of choosing a heavy equipment school. Many schools teach the basic bulldozer and crane work, but for an operator to really get ahead, the chosen school must go above and beyond the basics. Skid steer training is training that can be invaluable to a heavy equipment operator due to the skid steer’s various uses.

The skid steer loader is a very useful machine on any work site because of the many attachments that can truly make it fit almost any job. Its main attachment is a bucket that can be used to push, carry and load materials into a truck or other piece of equipment. But, the additional attachments that can be added on are nearly limitless in their possibilities. Some of the attachments that can be added on are augers, backhoes, snow blowers, lawn mowers and even wood chipper machines. These numerous uses really make the skid steer a necessity no matter what the construction project might be.

Skid steer training is an additional specialty a heavy equipment operator can add to his or her arsenal that can set him apart from the competition. The more training and experience a heavy equipment operator has to offer a company, the more likely he will be hired by a top tier company.

It is extremely important that heavy equipment operators keep their equipment well maintained and in working order at all times, so the equipment can operate reliably when needed on the work site. When maintenance is kept up to date, the operator can keep his equipment in top condition and be able to visually inspect for repairs that need to be made. If done on a regular basis, these inspections and maintenance can keep heavy equipment in top shape and keep them from major costly and time consuming repairs.

Daily heavy equipment maintenance should include a visual inspection, which should be comprised of a walk around the equipment while looking for leaking fluids and worn parts or belts. Fluid levels should also be checked and topped off during this inspection as well as any dry linkage should be greased where necessary. Lastly, the air pressure levels in the equipment’s tires should be checked and filled as necessary.

Quarterly maintenance should be performed every three months or every 500 hours of use. At this inspection, an oil and filter change should be performed, also, the hydraulic oil filter should be changed. Finally, the diesel fuel filter should be replaced at this quarterly maintenance inspection.

Yearly, or at the end of the season, the hydraulic oil and transmission fluids should be completely replaced. A thorough cleaning should also be done at this point, and a close inspection performed to look for any repairs that should be completed. Lastly, the tires should be given a very close inspection to ensure proper tread, and if they are not up to standards, they should be replaced immediately.

As can be seen in the above steps, there is not a whole lot to maintaining a piece of heavy equipment, as long as a maintenance and inspection schedule is maintained. Like any other type of vehicle, the better shape things are kept in the longer they will last. Hours that are needed for costly repairs are also hours that the piece of machinery is not doing its job on the work site. Through maintenance and inspection, heavy equipment can keep getting the job done and money in the operator’s pocket.

One of the most important decisions a future heavy equipment operator will have to make is choosing the right training school. There are many heavy equipment training schools both nationally and locally, so choosing the right one for the individual is essential in landing that next job in the construction industry. It is imperative that the proper school has a great training program and experienced instructors. These instructors should have real world experience and preferably have been foremen and supervisors in industry. An experienced staff is very important in properly teaching a trainee how to operate the varying pieces of machinery required to become a heavy equipment operator. This initial training is of the utmost importance in reaching that goal of becoming a certified operator.

Almost as important as the actual training is the training school’s career services program. How will the school assist the operator during and after training to land the right job in the right location? Many schools will train their operators, and then, they are done with the new operator. It is important to find a school that will give an operator personal career counseling; this should include interview training, resume writing assistance and job leads that can assist an operator in landing that first job as a heavy equipment operator. The school should be constantly networking with trucking firms to ensure the best jobs are being filled by their newly trained operators.

In choosing a heavy equipment training school, it is vital for a prospective operator’s future that a reputable and successful school is chosen. Each operator should do his due diligence and research multiple schools. During this research, the question must be asked “what will this school do for me to help me find my next career?” It is of the utmost importance that the school will put in as much effort as needed to get each of its freshly certified operators a quality job. The school with the most experienced staff and a highest quality career services program will usually be the best choice in the end.

There are a lot of job opportunities listed on our job site this week. Below are short descriptions of each. If you’re interested in one of these positions, feel free to visit our job site for more information and how to apply. The first listing is a special listing for veterans and is well worth looking at if you’re a veteran looking for work as a truck driver or heavy equipment operator.

Truck Drivers and Heavy Equipment Operators – Sidney, ND
Veterans wanted in N. Dakota. Lloyd Wynn, Washington DC has secured housing in Sidney, ND for drivers and equipment operators. Please call 703-946-0986

Truck Driver with Hazmat – Milwaukee, WI
Local driver with Hazmat CDL required. Home every night. Med, Dental,

Heavy Equipment Operators, Laborers and a Plant Manager – Bloomer, WI

Boom Truck Operator – CDL Delivery Driver – Morgantown, WV
Pull, load, and deliver customer purchases in a friendly, timely, safe and efficient manner. Greet and acknowledge all customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service. Responsible for all other duties as assigned. Must have valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL). Requires morning, afternoon and evening availability any day of the week.

Equipment Operator II – Miami County, KS
Responsibilities: This is a non-exempt position operating a variety of heavy equipment requiring a great degree of skill in performing a variety of job assignments. This employee performs tasks related to road and bridge maintenance and construction and works under general supervision with work reviewed for results achieved.

Construction Equipment Operator 2 – West Chester, PA
Participate in project completion through operation of medium duty heavy equipment e.g. loaders, backhoes, trackhoes, forklifts, etc. and assistance to the site Managers on lesser tasks. When not operating equipment, participate in general labor tasks. The individual’s degree of involvement is dependent on his/hers experience and capabilities. Perform related responsibilities as assigned.

Equipment Operator – North Carolina
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; traffic laws, regulations, equipment operation, knowledge of the principles and practices of operating and servicing medium size equipment, working knowledge of the occupational hazards involved and the safety precautions necessary to operate large equipment in heavy traffic and in restricted airfield areas, and knowledge of FAA rules.

Equipment Operator – Carlin, NV
Semi-skilled employees who operate at least one piece of heavy equipment such as loaders, scrapers, excavators and rubber-tired dozers. Employees will work under minimal supervision in environments where the primary objective is safe production.

Crane Operator – Mexico, MO
Operates hydraulic, electric and friction cranes to unload and backload heavy loads (supplies, equipment and personnel to and from vessels). Moves drill pipe when necessary.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Greencastle, IN
Ability to safely and effectively operate the equipment while assessing the surroundings (trucks, people, type of waste, surface grade, etc.). Must be able to operate at least three of the following: crawler tractor, scraper, articulated dump truck, back hoe, motor grader and trash or dirt compactor. Understands proper operation for equipment, gauges and their proper operating ranges. Adequate dexterity and reflexes for pushing/pulling.

Support Equipment Operator II – Empire, CO
Operations include both primary and byproduct molybdenum mines, integrated global operations, and local customer care. We provide our worldwide partners with the most reliable supply and highest quality molybdenum and rhenium products.

Support Equipment Operator I – Mine Operations – Bagdad, AZ
Performs duties related to the operation of heavy equipment in support of production including de-watering, materials delivery, maintaining berms, and surface maintenance at a skilled level.

Heavy Equipment Operators – Carrollton, KY
ASAP opening for Heavy Equipment Operators with 2 to 5 years experience.

Engineering Equipment Operator (Fire Dozer Operator) – Elko, NV
Seeking a dynamic and energetic individual.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Apex, NC
An employee in this class performs a variety of skilled equipment operation tasks operating heavy equipment for construction, maintenance and repair of utility lines and related appendices. Works involves operating heavy equipment such as backhoes in situations requiring skill and care to dig around underground and overhead utility lines, near traffic and in other tight places. When not operating equipment, the employee assists other crew members in building, repairing and replacing.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Seguin, TX
A leading provider of services to steel companies throughout the United States and Canada, has an opening for a Heavy Equipment Operator at our job site.

Heavy Equipment Operator Crane – Minneapolis, MN

Driver – CDL – Crane/Boom – Zimmerman, MN
Under moderate supervision, drives delivery vehicle to transport materials to location or production site that requires the operation of a crane or boom in the loading and off loading of materials. Operates crane or boom on delivery truck, including rigging, planning and hoisting of a variety of heavy construction materials.

Equipment Operator/Off Road Truck Driver – Black Hawk, MS

Heavy Equipment Operator – Streets – Victoria, TX
Operates heavy maintenance and construction equipment and assists the work of a crew who constructs, maintains and repairs streets and storm drainage systems. Knowledge of proper equipment used in the repair and maintenance of streets and storm drainage systems.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Baltimore, MD
$15k relocation incentive available for qualified applicants. Operate heavy equipment such as bulldozers, skid steers, front-end loaders and excavators. Relocation allowance offered for qualified candidates.

Heavy Equipment Operator – Orlando, FL
Performs skilled work in the operation of complex construction maintenance equipment, Performs tasks of more than average difficulty involving the safe operation and routine maintenance of assigned equipment.

Some of these positions require multi-skilled operators. If you have an skill gaps, check out our heavy equipment training website. We can help you quickly fill those gaps ready for multi-skilled employment.

Many mistake it for a bulldozer or a steam shovel, but the backhoe is one of the most important pieces of heavy equipment on any work site. It is highly versatile and needed on nearly every construction site. Due to its versatility, some intense backhoe training is required to ensure safe and proper operation at all times.

A backhoe can be recognized by its unique design. In laymen’s terms, it looks a lot like a trailer with a small shovel (the actual backhoe) on the back end and a front end loader, a wider shovel, on the front of the machine. The backhoe itself is basically a backward shovel on the end of two arms; the shovel is pulled toward the driver when digging. The arm closest to the shovel is called the “dipper” and the arm closest to the body of the machine is known as the “boom.” The backhoe is mainly used for excavating or digging; this can include landscaping, digging foundations, excavating trenches for pipes and cable and more. The loader end of the backhoe can then be used to load this material into a dump or rock truck, and then, it also can be used to smooth out these areas.

As with all heavy equipment, the backhoe is a massive and dangerous piece of equipment on any work site. As a result, an operator must show extreme caution and be aware of everything in his surroundings. The backhoe needs a wide path to operate and moves much faster than one might anticipate. It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure the safety of himself and all of his coworkers. To make certain of this, it is mandated that the operator must be given thorough backhoe training .

Safety is of the utmost importance on any work site, and this is especially true when dealing with a rough terrain forklift. Although serving the same purpose as a normal forklift, the rough terrain model offers a heavy equipment operator the ability to go off-road with his load to get to the hard-to-reach areas of the construction site. This is a necessity on nearly every work site, so the actual terrain can differ and lead to safety issues very quickly. This is why a thorough rough terrain forklift safety training class is essential for all heavy equipment operators.

Regardless of the forklift and terrain, safety must be the main focus of the operator. To ensure this, there must be a constant focus on the load and the fact that a forklift with the load raised is going to be top heavy and can easily tip. This is particularly true when on an incline; an operator must ensure the load is always on the uphill side of the forklift. An additional safety concern is the speed of the forklift on the work site. As with all heavy equipment on rough terrain, a safe speed must be maintained at all times. Lastly, weather can lead to issues for the forklift operator; rain or snow can make speed an even more serious issue, so extreme caution should be taken.

Forklift driving in a warehouse or other controlled environment can be dangerous enough, but add to that the rough terrain of a construction site and there is a recipe for disaster. As a result, the rough terrain forklift driver must be well trained in all aspects of the safety issues involved in this piece of machinery. The dangers of this type of forklift should not be feared but must be respected at all times. It is essential to get this proper training on an all terrain forklift from a high level heavy equipment operator training course .

The exciting and lucrative world of heavy equipment operators is a dream for many, and it can be an exciting life. After all, sitting in a bulldozer or crane pushing and pulling levers sounds like a pretty good gig, but there is much more to being a heavy equipment operator than just this. Training on numerous pieces of equipment is an important part of becoming an operator, but perhaps even more important are the “little things” that a good training school will provide to help a heavy equipment operator strive on the work site. These are the skills that will ensure that an operator is effective and safe on the work site.

Some of these often overlooked skills are grade reading, work site safety and heavy equipment maintenance. These courses sound like very minor items. Perhaps, even throw away classes, but in reality, these can be some of the most important classes an operator will take. These classes will actually teach a trainee the fundamentals needed in the construction and engineering industries. It is essential that these are part of any training school’s curriculum for heavy equipment operator training.

A heavy equipment operator trainee obviously wants to learn to drive a bulldozer or a crane immediately, but it is essential that he is trained in the basics of safety and maintenance. An employer will be looking for a well-rounded operator that has been trained in all aspects of the job. Every good training school will ensure that a trainee has mastered these “little things” prior to moving onto the more exciting aspects of the job.

Many children have fantasized about becoming a truck driver when they grow up, but lately, fewer are actually doing it. Some studies actually say that US trucking companies are short 20,000 truck drivers! This is a result of many long haul drivers retiring and a lack of new truckers joining the ranks. Needless to say, now is a great time to enter a great truck driver training program and earn a CDL license.

Long haul trucking is a great way to see the country and meet new and interesting people. It is also a great way to make a living in these rough economic times. There is currently a high demand in many areas for long haul truckers, and when demand is high, wages tend to improve. A good truck driving school can have a long haul driver on the road with a CDL in hand in less than a month.

Truck driver training at a reputable school will generally take around three weeks depending on the state regulations where the CDL test will be taken. The training itself will include a combination of classroom training and behind the wheel training. The classroom work consists mainly of the basics, safety, rules and regulations mandated by the Department of Transportation. The behind-the-wheel training should include open road driving, backing exercises and pre-trip inspections. With proper training, all of these skills will become second nature to the driver and result in a safe operator that trucking firms will be looking to hire.

An additional thing that should be part of any truck driver training program is career services. Ensure that the training company chosen will give assistance in job placement and that they are successful at this. Many training schools will have established relationships with trucking firms, and the best schools will know what these firm are looking for in a new truck driver. These schools can then focus their training to these current demands in the trucking industry.

In our current troubled economy, jobs may seem hard to come by in many industries. But, the trucking industry continues to grow, and at the same time, lose people to retirement. Now is a great time to get the training required for a CDL and hit the open road.

Ever wonder how a road is made flat when cruising through a hilly area? Or, ask yourself why we do not generally see large puddles on the highway? The answer to both of these questions is the road or motor grader and a well trained road grader operator. This piece of equipment can be used in the maintenance of unpaved roads, but its main purpose is roadwork and flattening a path. It smoothes the roadway prior to asphalt being poured, and it can be used to put a slight slope on highways to ensure the water runs off the road eliminating puddles that can result in cars hydroplaning.

Although not as well known as the bulldozer and dump truck, the road grader is an essential piece of the roadwork operations. As a result, being trained to operate one in a hands-on training environment is crucial to maneuvering these huge pieces of machinery effectively and safely. A good heavy equipment operator course will include training on road / motor graders to ensure capable operators are heading out to the worksites.

Ensuring the heavy equipment training program that is chosen includes many different pieces of equipment of the utmost importance. This is true because employers will not only look at the equipment that has been trained on, but also, they will look at the quality of the school that did the training. Employers want only the best trained workers who will be the most effective and safety conscious people on their site. Road graders may not be the most glamorous of the heavy equipment machines, but they are a very important one for road crews. Quality trained road grader operators are always in high demand, as roads are constantly being built and or maintained.

Many skills that are learned in the military are the same skills that are needed in many non-military industries. This is especially true when it comes to the world of construction, engineering and heavy equipment. The discipline and drive instilled in veterans are needed in this industry now more than ever, and with just a few weeks of training, veterans can go from the battle field to the construction site earning great wages in this pride-filled industry.

This industry, much like the military, is a results driven industry that will be a great fit for veterans of multiple military disciplines. There are many jobs in the military that lead directly to jobs in the heavy equipment and construction related fields, so the veteran can easily transfer this knowledge to become certified in multiple disciplines. Many choose to start with heavy equipment operator training and then move on to crane training or even rigger and signal person training. All of these classes are short and can get the veteran out on the work site quickly earning an excellent income.

There are also many other military professions that, although not directly related to construction, can make a smooth transition into this industry. After all, tank drivers can easily transfer their skills into driving a bulldozer. Many other drivers and operators of military vehicles and machinery can find rewarding careers in the heavy equipment fields, an easy transition.

The life of a soldier is one of constant training, which makes a veteran a great fit in the construction industry. This is an industry where a great deal of importance is put on training, mainly for safety, but also to ensure the job is done correctly the first time. Heavy equipment training truly is a great fit for veterans of any discipline.