Have you ever looked up at those huge tower cranes and thought that you would like to be a crane operator? From the ground, you imagine what it must be like moving giant loads around from such a height, but what is it really like?

The day starts early, checking the weather for an idea of the conditions because for tower crane operators, the weather matters. In particular, the wind is the thing that operators are particularly interested in, because high up, wind can have a dramatic effect on the load as it is hoisted and positioned.

Tower cranes are also very much a team effort, the riggers and spotters work with the operator on every lift, and it is the team as a whole working together that makes for a safe operation. So, on-site, the team will meet and discuss the day’s planned work, going over the previous day and noting anything that didn’t work as it should, and how to avoid that issue again.

Then, it’s the long climb up, but the climb itself is also an opportunity to inspect the crane, looking for loose bolts, bad connections, damage or anything else that could cause an issue. The theme with crane operating is safety, both for the operator and for everyone around them. Once in the cab, the operator is on their own, communicating with the team via radio and perhaps taking a phone call or two, but otherwise, an operator is in the cab for 10 hours a day on their own.

It’s busy in the cab though, with lifts of all kinds going on, and every single one requiring real concentration, safety is always at the core of everything being down, taking directions from spotters and riggers, but ultimately, it’s the crane operator that decides the route for the lift. There is a lot of responsibility as a crane operator, and for many, that is part of the attraction. It’s also a rewarding career, with $100,000+ a year wages being an attraction.

For those who are attracted to it, whether it is the self-sufficiency of being alone in the cab, the idea of working closely with a team or the responsibility of organizing lifts, or maybe just the idea of a good paycheck, high-quality training is essential to acquire the skills and qualifications needed to safely operate a tower crane.

We have exceptional experience training tower crane operators, our course includes both classroom and site training, and prepares you for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) exams that give you the certification needed to build a successful career as a tower crane operator.

No new job leads this week. For last week’s leads, check out last Saturday’s job listings.

One thing you may notice about last week’s heavy equipment job listings is that there were a few crane operator openings around the nation. That’s a good thing. Crane operators make good things happen.

What Do Crane Operators Do?
On many work sites, crane operators are the heavy equipment specialists who move large objects and material from one location to another. They operate various types of cranes using levers, foot pedals, wheels, and other navigational instruments to get the job done.

They may also be responsible for making minor repairs to their equipment and routine maintenance. Usually, they are responsible for setting up and inspecting moving equipment before operation.

Crane operators may be called upon to operate a variety of types of heavy equipment in a variety of work environments. For instance, one day they may be in a warehouse moving pallets with forklifts and conveyor belts. The next day they may be on a construction site moving lumber or dirt and rock. Telephone companies use cranes for lifting their workers into the air for tree trimming.

Who Hires Crane Operators?
A lot of different industries and types of companies hire crane operators. Here’s a sampling of the types of employers you may work for as a crane operator:

• The military
• Defense contractors
• Construction companies
• Mining operations
• Trucking companies
• Shipping industry
• Fisheries
• Oil & gas exploration companies
• Logging operations
• Utility companies

And that’s not all. There are a ton of different types of businesses and industries that employ crane operators. Heavy Equipment School celebrates the crane operator as an essential part of today’s workforce. Learn how you can become a certified crane operator right now.

Cranes are such important pieces of heavy equipment that they get their own specialized kind of training and certification. National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) is responsible for ensuring crane operators are trained and certified and safe in their operating of these machines. Associated Training Services (ATS) models its training on the NCCCO recommendations on different types of cranes.

There are a lot of different types of cranes on the work site. Which type of crane you’ll be working on largely depends on the nature of the work you’ll be performing. The following four types of cranes are some of the most common you’ll encounter.

1. Hydraulic boom crane – A hydraulic boom crane uses levers inside the operator’s cab to move the boom up and down through a hydraulic mechanism.
2. Lattice boom crane – A lattice boom crane uses a long extension that moves up and down but does not slide in and out like a hydraulic boom.
3. Fixed cab crane – A fixed cab crane has a cab that looks like a truck cab. As the name implies, it doesn’t move, which means the operator can only see what’s in front of him or to the side.
4. Swing cab crane – A swing cab crane allows the operator to get a 360-degree view by swiveling the cab in the direction that he wants to work.

These four types of cranes are not mutually exclusive. In other words, you can have a fixed cab hydraulic boom crane or a swing cab hydraulic boom crane. By the same token, you can have a fixed cab lattice boom crane or a swing cab lattice boom crane. And there are variations of these in terms of size, weight, and load capacity.

ATS will train you on each of these types of cranes, preparing you for certification and lifetime career.

Do you know what a lattice crane is? Chances are, you’ve seen one. You’ve probably seen one and didn’t know at the time that it was called a lattice crane.

A lattice boom is that long arm on the crane with a pedestal mounted on the end of it. It is latticed on the end of the boom, which is the long arm extension that runs from the body of the crane to the end tip. The booms can be varying lengths, giving the operator a little more challenge with every foot of length to maneuver.

An articulated boom crane, or knuckleboom, is a crane where the boom (that long arm) knuckles, allowing the boom to swing like an arm with an elbow, based on the driver’s controls.

A good crane training school will give you instructors who are experts at maneuvering all types of crane. The lattice boom crane is one of the more basic types of cranes. It’s a good one for beginners. It’s also the most common type of crane, so you’ll learn all about how to control it and most likely be using it the first day on your first job.

When you are trained and certified on driving cranes, the lattice boom crane is one that you’ll be trained on.

There are several different types of cranes that a good crane operator should be familiar with. In general, there are two types of boom cranes – lattice boom and telescopic boom.

The boom of the crane is the long arm in the front or back of the vehicle that lifts the load you want to carry.

Lattice Boom

Chances are, you’ve seen lattice boom cranes at work somewhere. They look like a huge machine with a long arm extended in the air. The arm can rotate, move up or down, and move forward or back. They are the most common type of crane on the job site. It makes sense, then, to train on this type of crane since you’ll likely have to use one.

Telescopic Boom

In contrast to lattice booms, telescopic booms are typically hydraulic. They are hinged at the bottom where the arm meets with the body of the crane. The boom is then lifted when the crane operator pulls a switch telling the arm to raise or lower. The hydraulic system, or cables, does all the work.

For a longer and more rewarding career as a crane operator, you’d do well to be trained on both types of cranes. You want your training to be as complete as possible. The more equipment you are capable of using the more in demand you will be on the job.

Learn more about ATS’s crane operator training today.

Many states today now require crane operators to be certified. This should not be seen as a negative or an obstacle. Sure, it might be a little inconvenient, but think of the benefits.

First, crane operators are in high demand. If you are certified to operate a crane, then you’ll be more in demand as an employee and have a leg up in job interviews. Secondly, crane operators make a lot of money. In fact, they are some of the highest paid heavy equipment operators on the work site.

Crane operator certification through ATS includes training on fixed and swing cab mobile hydraulic cranes. The training will prepare you for the NCCCO certification exams, both the written and practical versions. You’ll receive the most rigorous training offered through the industry. In addition, you’ll be trained on special types of cranes, including:

• Rough terrain boom cranes
• Lattice boom cranes
• Articulated and knuckle boom cranes
• Swing cab boom cranes
• Fixed boom trucks
• Fixed cab cranes

ATS also provides OSHA-compliant rigging and signalperson training.

Crane certification training can take place at ATS facilities or on the employer’s job site. Having the training on your job site could be beneficial if you have several crane operators you want to be trained and certified. You can get more details on crane certification training through ATS.

If you are considering a career as a new crane operator, then you will be surprised at how many different types of cranes there are, and how many different types of jobs they do. When you look around many workplaces, there are cranes of some description in use. Some of these cranes include:

• Railroad Cranes that sit on a rail flatbed carriages
• Telescopic Cranes that have a boom that can telescope out.
• Tower Cranes that stand quite tall. These cranes are disassembled and put together on higher floors as a building is being constructed.
• Truck Mounted Cranes are cranes that are mounted on truck flatbeds
• Rough Terrain Cranes have four rubber tires that are designed for off-road and “rough terrain” applications
• Crawler Cranes are mounted on tracks to added stability and mobility
• Loader Cranes are hydraulically-powered cranes that are fitted to a trailer
• Gantry Cranes are used in container ports and rail freight terminals
• Overhead Cranes are suspended from ceilings are very common in factories
• Floating Cranes are generally mounted on barges and used mainly in bridge building and port construction
• Mobile Cranes are trucks that have a separate crane mounted behind the truck driver. These cranes can move quickly from job to job.

Some of these cranes require operators who have had years of experience on smaller or less complicated cranes. There are still many options available to new crane operators who are entering the workforce. One of the easiest introductions to crane operation is through mobile cranes. We can provide the training and certification required to get a start in this industry. You just need to decide on your career goals in crane operations.

It is always wise to undertake training in such a way that you exit the training program with skills that make you employable whilst also providing as broad a base as possible. Crane operator training is a good example. You can train on just one type of crane, and you will become quite skilled in that crane’s operations, however, you will then be limited somewhat to that type of crane when it comes to employment options.

Being able to train on a range of cranes means you will have a wider skills base to take through to employment. This obviously increases your employment options. If you have a particular type of crane you want to operate, that’s fine, however, gaining skills and an employment history in crane operations should be your primary concern. Being selective is a luxury that comes with that history and experience.

ATS have a range of cranes that you can be trained to operate. This range includes:

swing cab boom cranes,
rough terrain boom cranes,
fixed cab cranes,
fixed boom trucks,
lattice boom cranes, and
articulated cranes.

Some of these cranes are fairly similar in looks and operations so it makes sense to gain some understanding of their individual traits. I’ve mentioned employment options, and it’s worth repeating – the wider the range of skills you have, the more job options you’ll have.

With ATS crane operator training, you also have the option to undertake NCCCO certification, a requirement to operate any crane in the workplace. With a wide range of machinery to learn on, NCCCO certification on offer, and long history of successful training under our belt, ATS becomes one of the best training options for anyone looking for a career in crane operations.

If you want a successful career as a heavy equipment operator, then I suggest you steer clear of being a one act pony. Employers are increasingly looking for heavy equipment operators who are multi-skilled. It’s not just across the heavy equipment range either. Employers are looking for operators who can drive trucks and on occasion operate cranes. The question becomes now – are you a multi-skilled heavy equipment operator, multi-skilled truck driver, or multi-skilled crane operator?

You may think I am being pedantic in those titles, however, your description will depend on what your primary job is. The job listings from last weekend included vacancies for multi-skilled crane operators, and multi-skilled heavy equipment operators. The demand is there, and if you have a range of skills, then you are going to be more employable.

For most people who are just entering the heavy equipment industry, learning to operate a variety of machinery is a must. Whilst you may have a preference for one type, don’t just focus on that one type. By all means seek a career operating your choice of equipment, however, if given the opportunity, keep your skills up on as many different machines as possible. Demand for heavy equipment operators runs in cycles – one month there will be a demand for bulldozer operators, next month it could be excavators, or grader operators, you need to be prepared for all opportunities that come your way.

The training program at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training Schools is to provide access to a wide range of machinery. As a student, you will have the opportunity to learn how to operate these machines and to gain valuable practical time in the operator’s seat. At a later date it may be advisable to look at either truck driving (obtaining a CDL) or crane operator certification (or both) – this will expand your employment opportunities and perhaps even your paycheck.

Late last year the rules and regulations related to persons working in crane and derrick rigging or signaling positions were changed. While these are federal changes, there are state laws and regulations that must also meet or exceed these requirements. These regulations have been changed to try an prevent accidents, injuries, and deaths that have been prevalent in the industry over the years. According to the official website:

It is anticipated that this final standard will prevent 22 fatalities and 175 non-fatal injuries each year.

While that may not sound like a lot of deaths or injuries, the economic and social affects of those deaths and injuries can be huge – especially to the families involved. The final standard addresses issues such as the certification of crane and derrick operators and the qualification of those working in rigging or signaling. What is important to note is that it is an employer’s obligation to ensure that those working in these jobs are either certified or qualified, depending on the federal or state laws that apply.

For those working in the industry, or proposing to work in the industry, undertaking formal training in these areas is vital. While federal rules have set minimum standards, some states have exceeded those rules and put in place more stringent regulations so it advisable to seek the most comprehensive training available. You should certainly be looking for training programs that exceed the minimum requirement.

ATS Crane Operator Schools now offer OSHA Compliant Rigging & Signal Person training. Our standards are purposely set higher than the minimum to ensure that students receive comprehensive training that meets the requirements nationwide. If you are working in the industry, or are considering working in this industry, contact us for more information on this training program.