Need help with Heavy equipment training

[Rui]

school 1: I have to figure out what school im going to, one cost $11-15 000 and promises me training on backhoe/ loader, excavator, bulldozer , skid steer. 8 weeks training with dz.


school 2: is 10K, gives me 2 weeks class training and 4 weeks training on one machine only-excavator, or 3 - tractor/loader/backhoe. This school is also tied in with the industry more.


Money isn't a factor when it coms to tuition,....but as an entry level operator what will be better? I know the first couple years on the job ill be working a skid steer most likely or smaller machine. So is school #2 a waste ? by the time i actually step into an excavator i wil have to be retrained all over again.

 

[norrodbh]

Hi Rui !

Getting training on an excavator is hopefully more then just learning the controls. I hope they teach a lot more, like safety, proper trenching, benching, locating, etc... So when you finally get on a machine, you need to learn the feel of that machine, but you will know enough to be productive, and not a danger to those around you


Personally, I would suggest a program on Dozer/Excavator/Grader. Bump the other stuff. If you can get those down, you can run most of the other stuff.


Good luck, Keep us updated !

 

[tylermckee]

Do either of the courses teach you anything about reading plans, shooting grades, things of that nature?

 

[Orchard Ex]

school 2: is 10K, gives me 2 weeks class training and 4 weeks training on one machine only-excavator, or 3 - tractor/loader/backhoe.

So they are counting a TLB as 3 machines? It still only takes up one parking space... :bouncegri
Just making sure that you understand that it's only 1 machine really...
Best of luck and let us know how well you like whichever school you chose!

 

[digger242j]

Just making sure that you understand that it's only 1 machine really...

That's a good point that slipped right past me--it does read as if Rui is thinking that a TLB is three different machines.

Rui, if that's true, someone would be happy to explain the differences to you. Like they say, the dumbest question is the one you failed to ask...

 

[Rui]

I understand it is one machine, just wasn't thinking clearly and typing too fast.

 

[RonG]

In my opinion you would be much better off to learn the TLB than the excavator if you have to choose between them.Once you learn the principles of the TLB and can actually do work with one the excavator will be a natural for you.
I would much rather teach a backhoe operator to run an excavator than to teach an excavator operator to run a backhoe.
The concept of getting the machine in position to do a job with the backhoe has much greater significance than it does with an excavator,even the finer points of setting your outriggers to your advantage to achieve particular results.
Having tracks under you and a 360 degree swing can disguise a lot of incompetence in the art of excavating to those who do not know what to look for.
Like Bob Horrell said in his post the other day,watch out for us old guys.:wink2

 

[digger242j]

You have a good point, Ron.

I spent the better part of twenty years on a backhoe before I ever sat in the seat of an excavator. It spoils you in a hurry, partly because there's so much less of the "how must I position myself to accomplish this?", type of thinking required. Combine that with the luxury of going almost anywhere on tracks, that you don't have on rubber, and the TLB shows itself to be that much more of a challenge. It probably is easier for a good TLB operator to quickly transition to being a good excavator operator, than vice versa. And when Rui goes out for his first job interview, the potential employer will be impressed when he explains that was why he took TLB in school. :wink2

 

[Orchard Ex]

I understand it is one machine, just wasn't thinking clearly and typing too fast.

Rui, I hope that I didn't offend with my post. Sometimes my attempts at humor miss the mark. Learning to be a good TLB operator really will be like learning 2 machines in one as there are special techniques for running both ends of the machine. I just didn't want anyone to try to charge you for 3 machine training and then only provide for 1.

 

[Squizzy246B]

Sometimes my attempts at humor miss the mark.

I thought your sense of humour fitted in here rather well

Learning to be a good TLB operator really will be like learning 2 machines in one as there are special techniques for running both ends of the machine. I just didn't want anyone to try to charge you for 3 machine training and then only provide for 1.

I agree and disagree. As a kid I learnt on tractors with FEL's which is what TLB's have been up until the last 4 or 5 years. The TLB's we have now are truly specialised machines in their own right with 4WS etc etc. Learning on older TLB's give you a lot of site organisation and excavation experience that His Diggerness talks about above. However, older TLB's do not encourage best "Loader" practice...in fact they are almost opposite in their operation ...especially when digging.

You will see a TLB (when loadering??) lifting its front wheels off the ground. Thats why you see comments on this forum about the 4WD TLB's with same or similar size front/rear wheels being better than the older ones. To lift or take the load off the front wheels on a loader is of course a useless waste of time. Because of the articulations loaders track different from TLB's.

I would think (putting graders aside as a true speciality), if I had to pick only two machines to learn on it would be a loader and an excavator. Loader experience and theory will benefit you in skids through to any other articulated machine you can think of. Tracked experience on an excavator helps with TLB's and combined with loader experience you are on the road to dozers and track loaders. The TLB would appear to be the obvious choice if you had to choose just one but again I think the excavator has the edge because you don't see too many sites without an excavator...but you do see plenty without TLB's. Just MHO.

 

[Rui]

Good imformation guys, thanks!!!, i've been reading alot.. there is soo much i don't know .....

 

[Rui]

ok it's crunch time , im about to hand in my proposal ... besides this site- is there any other websites i can checkout to learn more about HEO? Anything else i can ad to my report will help me out.

thanks,

 

[chevy94]

I know this is an OLD OLD OLD post but I'm new and can't make a topic but I was wondering if anyone has heard of the program at Northwest Iowa Community College? I am still a highschool kid and I really want to get into the Heavy Equipment field. This course looks like it would provide me with all the skills that I need out in the workforce plus it has job placement, I will post the link:http://www.nwicc.edu/pages/programs/trade/heavy_equip.html

Any input would be appriciated

 

[alan627b]

You might also find out the phone number of Iowa Operating Engineers Local 234 out of Des Moines, and see if you can get into their Apprenticeship program. Assuming you are in Iowa, which I figured by your choice of schools.
Get paid to learn..
If not, contact the union local in your state.
Anyhow, good luck!
alan627b

 

[chevy94]

I'm actually located in Northwest Missouri but I have more than a few reasons for wanting to attend school in Iowa.

 

[alan627b]

Northwest Missouri, huh? Then might I suggest contacting
Local 101 Operating Engineers (KC-St Joseph area)
Training Site
22770 SR273
Weston MO 64098
888-640-2336
You might get paid to learn that way....
I just found out I was selected for pipeline equipment training, starting Monday. Which is good because there is going to be a lot of pipeline work in Nebraska in the next 2 years.....ought to be interesting!
good luck!
alan627b

 

[chevy94]

yeah im actually right by the Weston area, I might have to give them a call one of these days. Oh and thanks for the help I appriciate it!

 

[cat300]

hey I am in HS, I am very interested in Heavy equipment since im subcontracted with RYan homes if your familiar with them. There one of the local big housing developments.

I found a school called ATS in columbus ohio, i dont know if anyone went to it herd of it whatever the case may be. Like the guy be4 me i want to get into it and want to know the correct direction to go. I talk to the guys on the sight and he said he would show me the rops some day, but that day has never come around.

This is something i have wanted to do since i was a kid. I was one of those kids who used to play with tonka trucks in the back yard. well i guess i never really grew up lol.

im only posting on here cuz i cant put up my own forum. Why is that?

 

[Countryboy]

As a new member I think you must have 5 posts in other threads before you can start your own thread.

Welcome to HEF! :drinkup

 

[cat300]

anyone have any suggestions on how i should go about. i mean like should i just open up the yellow pages and start calling company's should i wait to go to that college? anybody ever herd of it? its called, Associated Training Services. Its located in Columbus ohio