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Crane Operator or Construction Equipment Operator?

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DustyD

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Messages
6
Location
Rocklin, CA
Hello everyone,

I am near Sacramento, CA. I am applying for an apprenticeship program and I must choose one, but I don;t know much about these except for the basic descriptions they give in the application forms. If you had to choose one route, which one would you choose and why? If you were new to Heavy equipment operating, how would you go about figuring out which training you would apply for? Visit job sites and ask operators these questions? Any websites that are good at supplying employment information, expected pay, and how a typical day would differ between these two jobs?

Thanks for any input.
Dusty
 
joispoi

joispoi

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2008
Messages
1,284
Location
Connecticut
A good crane operator makes good money. It's a huge responsibility and it can be a boring job at times with lots of waiting for crews to both rig and then secure whatever it is that you're hoisting.
 
heavylift

heavylift

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2009
Messages
1,046
Location
KS
Usually more equipment operator jobs than crane jobs. Pay, it's the same for me.
But this year I have been 50/50 between the two. But usually it's more heavy equipment than crane.

I've set in a crane for months and just pick a few things a week. Sometimes nothing.
Then there is the dreaded cell phone ban in places, so you stuck twiddling you thumbs all day.

Good luck in your decision.
 
R

rabia

Banned
Joined
Jun 7, 2012
Messages
120
Location
US
Crane operator mean you are specialized in just crane but construction equipment operator mean specialized in other equipment as well. It is more diversified job. So in my point of view construction equipment operator is a better option. As in heavy equipment only crane is not included but there are many other machinery also included.
 
R

robin yates uk

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2011
Messages
643
Location
philippines
the static crane operator has a much more relaxed life than a mobile crane operator,if you like to be on your own and have lots of patience, go for the static crane.Plant operators have many options open to them, civil engineering, muck shifting, opencast, housing, roads, a long list. Go for what you like and good luck
 
Dozerboy

Dozerboy

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2006
Messages
2,232
Location
TX
Occupation
Operator
Both I love playing in the dirt, but should have jumped on the chance to run cranes when I had the chance.
 
ddigger

ddigger

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
567
Location
Northern California
Occupation
contractor,owner operater
Dusty I live right up the road from you (Penryn), whos apprentice program are you trying to get into. I have been in local #3 operating engineers for the last 28yrs, and have been an owner operator with an excavator since 1989 so I have worked for or know nearly all of our local contractors. I you would like to pm me your number I would be happy to talk with you. Best of luck.
 
Tiny

Tiny

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
2,126
Location
NW Missouri
Dusty ,

I work for a company that keeps crane operators year round . With that being said , The ones they keep year round can run about anything on the job . As an example , We were moving a crane in to job that needed some site prep ( a level area to build the crane ) and the contractor told us that all his guys are tied up until after dinner but we were welcome to use his excavator . Our operator climbed in and in a few minutes we were putting the crane together .

I don't want to see you get pigeon holed in to one or the other . Around here the guy's that can do some of everything seem to stay busy (Making money)
 
D

DustyD

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Messages
6
Location
Rocklin, CA
Thanks for the input guys.

Tiny, I am considering applying for the Local 3 Union apprenticeship and they only allow you to choose one. I am leaning toward joining the union, but I haven't even knocked on a few doors or local construction companies and talked to them yet... still learning quite a bit about this industry. :)
 
Buckethead

Buckethead

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2007
Messages
1,055
Location
Waterfront
Occupation
Operator
DustyD said:
but I haven't even knocked on a few doors or local construction companies and talked to them yet...
Click to expand...
That couldn't hurt! You should try every avenue. You can still apply to the apprentice program when you make up your mind re: cranes or dirt. I never heard of a separate apprentice program for cranes, around here it's just dirt.
 
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