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Heavy equipment(HE) include machinery such as bulldozers, cranes, excavators, forklifts, etc., that are used for heavy-duty work. As these machines are of a large size and strength, the people who operate them must be well trained and highly skilled. The people who handle these equipments are called heavy equipment operators.

Heavy equipment operators operate, maintain, repair, and adjust the different types of expensive and heavy equipment usually used in construction. Generally, these operators specialize in equipments such as bulldozers, backhoes, graders, cranes, etc. It is a necessary requirement for HE operators to learn to control various types of gear, including pedals, levers, switches, hydraulic controls, turn dials, and various other devices present in this category.

A heavy equipment operator job includes the handling of mining equipment, excavation equipment, and material handling equipment, or road construction equipment to excavate, grade and landscape the earth, or to transport workers, materials and equipment. A career as a HE operator is not dull. It is a highly marketable trade, and a decent living can be made in this career.

Like in any other career, it requires a certain level of education and training provided in special schools.

A commercial driver license is a must for a HE operator. Usually, a high school diploma, or its equivalent, is also a requirement. Some amount of experience in truck driving, and familiarity with small construction machinery is also a necessity. Along with that, they also should have knowledge of the hazards, safety rules, and the required precautions for traffic laws. HE operators should also be able to work with a variety of people, be flexible in terms of additional training and responsibility, and be able to judge distances.

In America, some states require additional licenses for different pieces of equipment. For instance, a certified landfill operator license is required by Wisconsin, which has to be obtained within 6 months of being hired.

Most of the state community colleges and vocational schools offer certificates or degrees for heavy equipment operators. The training that is provided in these certification courses makes operators more competitive. Apprenticeships, which include training for periods of up to 3 years, which involve handling many more types of machines, also open up good job opportunities for operators.

The heavy equipment industry offers loads of job opportunities. They are:

a) Operators of crane-works

b) Heavy Construction Equipment Supervisors/Operators

c) Logging Machine Operators

d) Mining and Quarrying Supervisors

e) Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators

f) Material Handlers

g) Backhoe Operators

h) Bulldozer Operators

i) Excavator Operators

j) Grader Operators

The certification in heavy equipment operation is awarded by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). The 2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook states that the demand for construction equipment operators is expected to remain high right through to the year 2014. The handbook also specifies that candidates should gain practical experience, in addition to enrolling in training programs. It also reveals that the average salary of construction equipment operators is $17.00 per hour, but that highly skilled and experienced operators can earn over $29.34 per hour.

Finally, the people who opt for a career as HE operators and small earth moving contractors should have a sense of satisfaction. They are not only in a well-paid job with an excellent future, but they also are involved in supporting the country to solve the energy, environmental, and water problems.

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.

Types of Heavy Equipment

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.

Overview of Training Topics Covered

In-classroom studies: important safety procedures, engineering, math, setup, maintenance and other fundamental topics

Field Training: 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

Stats of Heavy Equipment Operator Trainees

Length of heavy equipment operator training programs: 1.5 – 6+ months

Average starting pay for a certified heavy equipment operator: $13.00 – $20.00 per hour

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.

If you have a knack for using machinery and enjoy the operations, pursuing a career as ‘heavy equipment operator’ is worth considering. It would offer a rugged outdoor lifestyle with reasonably good payment and a chance to really enjoy what you do to earn your living.

A heavy equipment operator handles big heavy machines used in the construction, mining and agriculture industry. These machines are mostly hydro-mechanical equipment and require special knowledge and skills to operate and maintain and repair. Most machines are put to use for grading and landscaping, excavating earth and transporting men and material. The list of machines that fall within the definition of heavy equipment is quite big. However, the more common ones that can be seen functioning and operating on construction sites and mines etc are shovels, bulldozers, excavators, loaders, heavy-duty tipping trucks, graders, forklift trucks, cranes, drilling machines, motor graders, asphalt pavers, skid steer loaders, roadrollers, compactors, pile drivers, pipe layers etc.

Similar to any other career that needs possessing specialized skills, a career as a heavy equipment operator also needs specific technical education of a certain level to include modules covering preventive maintenance of equipment, basic safety, including specific modules on backhoes, loaders, graders, dump trucks and tractors etc. A heavy equipment operator not only operates equipment, but is also required to adjust, maintain and ensure timely small repairs to these huge machines that despite their size are delicate in many respects. They are extremely expensive and incorporate many sensitive and sophisticated high tech components that can easily get damaged if not handled with care. A bulldozer along with attachments can easily cost up to half a million dollars or even more. In such conditions, employers are becoming increasingly hesitant to employ unqualified operators to handle such machines.

Therefore, a qualified and skilled heavy equipment operator is more and more in demand. This demand is going to keep increasing over the years as billions of dollars are being spent on new projects by the government and private industries as well. You can see new dams, flood control projects, hydroelectric plants, and transmission facilities being built to cater to growing requirements. All this will involve huge numbers of heavy machines and qualified operators.

Sensing the growing need for qualified operators for heavy equipment, top equipment training schools came together to form NAHETS (The National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools) in order to promote higher technical standards and training required for operators of today’s high-tech machines. NAHET schools have an advanced training curriculum that includes theoretical and hands-on operating and maintenance training on latest equipment.

Apart from NAHETS, The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) also offers certification leading to heavy equipment operator credentials. It is a not-for profit education foundation established by manufacturers, big contractors and national trade associations. NCCER certifications are highly valued by employers.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics data of 2005 indicates that heavy equipment operators were paid $17 an hour. However, qualified operators equipped with training and certification got $30 an hour. With numerous openings for employment, pursuing a career as an educated and certified heavy equipment operator can be a rewarding experience for anyone who prefers an outdoor work environment and physical work that includes working on machines.

The US Army offers exciting and rewarding career openings for heavy construction equipment operators with relevant skills and experience. The key duties of heavy construction equipment operators in the US military are to operate various machineries such as crawler and wheeled tractors with dozer attachments, scoop loader, motorized grader and towed or self propelled scraper. The job requires skills to interpret information on grade stakes. In the course of their duties, these operators would clear grubs, strips, fill material with scrapers, make excavations and load different material using a loader. They would also be expected to spread material evenly and level out ground, construct a v ditch using a grader, lift and move steel and other heavy building materials using winches, cranes, and hoists, and dig holes and trenches using power shovels. Other common tasks include the transportation of heavy material and construction equipment using tractor and trailer to provide assistance during engineering missions under combat conditions.

Heavy equipment operators in the army would also be called upon to construct berms, excavate side slopes with a crawler tractor, perform grading and finish side slopes mixing stabilizing material with soil and surface and drainage maintenance. The physical demands for the initial award of MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) are extremely high. A physical profile conforming to 222221 as per US Army standards is essential. It is also a critical criterion that the incumbent should not be colorblind.

To qualify for a job as a heavy equipment operator in the US army, a minimum score of 90 in the aptitude area, GM is expected. A valid state motor vehicle operator license is also a prerequisite. The induction provided to a new recruit in this position consists of nine weeks of Basic Training and four to twelve weeks of AIT (Advanced Individual Training) in Missouri. The training period for different construction equipment differs and the length of the initial training would depend on the equipment to be operated on the first assignment. Seven weeks of training is also provided on how to operate and perform general operator level maintenance to 5-ton dump trucks, M 915 tractor with semi trailer, dozer, grader, scraper and scoop loader. After successful completion of the course, there may be further training for operation of other equipment depending on the requirements of the duties to be assigned in the place of posting.

The Initial Entry Training or the IET is essentially intended to transform a civilian into a technically and tactically competent soldier and to inculcate in him the values of the US army. This process is a tough and comprehensive process, which requires complete dedication on the part of the trainee to completely transform in accordance with the requirements of a distinguished military career. In the initial phase of training, together with familiarizing the trainee with the goals and values of a military career, focus is also placed on the development of the individual basic combat skills and physical fitness.
The second phase of training for a heavy equipment operator is called the GUNFIGHTER phase and as the name suggests, it focuses on weaponry training. These fairly long and intensive training processes culminate in the making of a competent combatant with special skills as a heavy equipment operator.

The pay and benefits for a heavy equipment operator are as per US Army standards for soldiers. On completion of military service, there exist scores of opportunities for being employed in the civilian sector also.