The one thing you can guarantee with all heavy equipment is that technology is constantly on the move and operating graders is no different. Every year manufacturers release their latest offerings and they always include technological changes of some sort.

Some of the latest technology includes computerization of some systems and GPS technology. Of course these are not ‘new’, however, the way they are being used is often new. GPS was fairly basic several years ago, it has now developed to the point that vehicles can have special devices fitted that help with loss prevention of heavy equipment.

The latest graders are now operated using joysticks rather than levers, pedals or a steering wheel. I am sure that many of our younger generation who have grown up with Xbox’s and the like would handle these with ease. For some of us older folk, a joystick is for flying, not grading – still, we have to move with the times or we will get left behind.

That philosophy is a must in heavy equipment operations now. Operating graders along with many of the other machines used has become one non-stop learning curve. You no sooner think you have your machine mastered when along comes a new piece of technology. At least you don’t have to learn it until it is either fitted, or a new machine us purchased.

Training to operate road graders has come along way in recent years. As technology has improved so too has the training methods used. It is no longer a case of jumping in and teaching yourself, the job is too complex for that now. To be competitive in the employment market you need quality training from a organization that has a long reputation for providing well trained operators of road graders. Just remember, your learning doesn’t end with the completion of your course – it ongoing for the rest of your working career.

When building roads there are always going to be obstacles for motor graders to negotiate. Bridges, tunnels and man holes – yes man holes. I believe the correct terminology now is ‘personnel access point’. Image yourself as a motor grader operator and slap bang in the middle of the road is a big round hole (and why are they round?).

For the grader operator, it takes some tricky manoeuvring to ensure the road has been graded correctly whilst negotiating around obstacles. This can often take a lot of skill, skill that has been developed over many years as an operator. It is however the kind of challenge that makes the work of motor grader operator interesting and varied.

Grader operators can receive a high level of basic training in a matter of weeks. It can take two or three years experience on the job to hone those skills and learn the intricacies of the job. And just when you thought you knew them all, along will come another problem you haven’t encounter – as I said, the role of a motor grader operator is varied and challenging. Are you up to the challenge?

If so, check out ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools. They have an intensive heavy equipment operator training program that could have you behind the wheel of a motor grader before you know it.

Oh – and why are man holes round – of course, so the lid never falls in – it’s true, that is why they are round. It still doesn’t help a motor grader though; they still have to negotiate around it.

There are many different types of equipment that come under the classification of heavy equipment. Some of these machines are specialized and training is generally undertaken on the job. A prerequisite to gaining employment and subsequent training for many companies is some form of heavy equipment training and experience.

One specialized machine that you wont see every day is the bucket-wheel excavator. These machines are used in surface mining and civil engineering. The bucket-wheel gets its name from the design – a large rotating wheel mounted on an arm or boom with a series of scoops or buckets on the outer edge of the wheel. As the wheel turns, the buckets remove soil or rock and carry it around to the backside of the wheel where it falls onto a conveyor.

Some bucket-wheel excavators truly fit the classification of heavy equipment. The can be over 200 meters long and up to 100 meters in height.

The largest machines are used in German strip-mining operations. They cost over $100 million, take 5 years to assemble, require 5 people to operate and weigh more than 13,000 tons. The MAN Takraf is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest land vehicle.

Of course they are the giants. There are smaller bucket-wheel excavators in use. To operate on of those machines requires specialized training. This training is based on your knowledge and experience in using excavators or other heavy equipment such as bulldozers or motor graders.

You can receive training in heavy equipment such as bulldozers, motor graders and excavators through ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools.