Category Archives: Operator

Option to become a heavy equipment operator freelancer

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When you are the best in performing an activity that has good demand in the market you will never find yourself short of opportunities. You will be loved in your organization for your good work and will always remain a valued employee. Now this is what we all want to become at the end of the day. A person who will be known for his wonderful piece of work and respected for his job is probably the dream of many. On the basis of your experience and your performance you get rise in your pay. Your performance is assessed at the end of each year and then you are given some points. On this basis of those points you are given a raise in your package. For people who want to earn more as they feel that they have the capacity to work harder, they always have an option to become a freelancer. A freelancer is the one who is responsible for his job and is also his own boss. He does not have anybody to fire him (other than the person for whom he is working).

Heavy equipment operator who has loads of experience in the construction industry working with all sorts of machines can have a great future becoming a freelancer. As long as he knows what he is doing and how to get it done he has every chance to earn handsomely being a part of the construction industry. So if you are a person who has spent almost all his life working on heavy equipment, try to move to the next level and become heavy equipment operator. Finding projects will not be a problem if at all you are known to people in your business circle. You only have to pervade the message that you also work as a freelancer and you will see people coming to you with projects.

Set up a website:-

If you have already thought of become a freelancer the best way to start is by creating your website. You may dealt all your life with machines but now you also have to work a bit on tech savvy stuffs. This will take you closer to become a full scale freelancer. Once you become a full scale/fulltime freelancer you do not have to stick to your salaried job. You can let that go and simply focus on your business. However, to make that a reality you have to start with your website. Fill in everything that you know about yourself. The companies that you have worked with and the kinds of machines that you have operated should be stated in the website. People should know about your qualities which will help you to get work from them.

You can work as a freelancer with your current employer:-

When you decide to become a freelancer, it does not mean that you no longer can work with your current employer. It only means that you will not be salaried and will be paid as per the terms of the contract which may be more than what you usually get. However, you have to put in more hours of work in that case. You will still find that to be satisfying and enjoyable.

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Job opportunities for heavy equipment operator

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Construction sector is quite a widely spread industry which has lot of requirement of human resources. Right from the laborers to heavy equipment operators, all play a crucial role in this segment of business. It is somewhat simple to get construction workers but getting experienced operators is way too difficult and is one of the biggest challenges with the major construction houses. They are unable to work in full strength due to shortage of heavy equipment operators which is why a good chunk of machines are lying idle at the jobsite. It is not that heavy equipment operators have paid meagerly which is why they are less in numbers. It is simply the scarcity and hence the demand is huge.

This is the situation in most of the cities in US and as a matter of fact, the operators also have good demand in the overseas market which actually lures them to go out for few years and come back earning decent money. The job opportunities for heavy equipment operator starts right from the day they graduate from their institution. There are interviews held at the campuses of different institutions and the young guns are picked up from there. Since they are without any experience, they are nurtured and molded into fine operators and are allowed to work on machine under the guidance of an experienced operator. The experienced guy monitors their work and gives his report to the higher management. This is probably how the newbie are rated and they perhaps receive their hike on the basis of this report.

Well, once they spend a couple of years operating different kinds of heavy equipment and have a hands-on knowledge, most of them begin switching companies. They move to the next construction company probably a bigger one with the hope of a better package and gain more experience. The brand of the construction company that they will be joining also matters as it will decide what they can expect from the new company. Once they are 5-8 years old in this line of business they have set up a position in the industry. It means that they will not be turned down by any construction company as long as their conduct is good and are not engaged into any sort of unethical activity.

Other than working for a construction company, they can also work on contracts which mean that they are not employed by the company. However, they are paid more than what an operator who is employed with the company earns. Well, people who work on contracts are ideally very experienced people to whom the company can’t afford to keep throughout. Therefore, these people are hired and once the work is done they are paid their dues and they move on to the next company. They may use their own machines or can operate the ones provided by the company. Some are also hired to just teach the newbie and monitor their performance. Give them the feedback and nurture them into competent operators.

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Operators need specialized trainings to work on different machines

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For special jobs, you need men who have full-fledged knowledge about the work and also experience to handle that kind of work without hassles. Now this knowledge and experience are secondary. What is primary is the training that is given to the person to do that kind of job. In the construction sector, every person is trained to do his part of the job well but it is the operators/mechanics who require specialized training to work on different kinds of heavy equipment. Though the primary function of every machine may be the same but in order to work them out like a professional, the operator has to get himself trained for some weeks and then try his hand doing the actual job. He may find it difficult in the beginning but as he prepares himself for the task on the machine, he will find his comfort zone in the new heavy equipment.

Need to be slow in the beginning:-

When the operator first starts to get trained on the new heavy equipment, he should be slow with maneuvering the machine. He may have worked earlier on years on a particular type of heavy equipment but the new one is different and it may act differently in different situations. So he needs to first know the various functions that are available in the machine and how it impacts the overall movement of the equipment. Once he gets his hands on it, it will be a piece of cake for him. Also, when situation changes he need to again go slow and check how the machine reacts.

For instance, if the operator is given to work on an updated version of a CAT excavator which is huge in size and is used for operations in the forest/construction area. The forest land in every location is different so will the machine act differently. The operator needs to be extra careful when he moves out of one forest location and enters the new one. The land out there may be full of ditches or quite muddy to not have a stable ground for the machine. This will give a hard time for the operator to work on the new excavator.

Should remember the different functions:-

Normally when you are accustomed to working with a set of a machine, you tend to know the in and out of it. If someone closes your eyes and instruct you on what you should be doing, you may perhaps have little problem but will reach your hands to the right buttons inside the machine. This is because you know everything about it that you can work being blindfolded. Well, the case changes completely when you are handed over a new heavy equipment which does have its switches and buttons in the same place as it was in the old machine. So you need to get your hands trained on them as well. By no means can you press the wrong button or else you will end up in a big blunder.

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Go to esteemed institutions to hire operators

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A construction company spends good amount of money for buying heavy equipments and then needs to spend a lot to simply keep the equipments well maintained. Servicing and maintenance of heavy equipments is a necessity that one can just not ignore and if they got to spend some dollars to keep the stuffs in order, it is perfectly a fair deal. In order to lengthen the life of the machines, the owner should also hire able and competent operators who possess in depth knowledge about them and work without causing any unwanted damage to the machine. Experienced and highly skilled operators are rare to find. You will just not find them idle and are usually hired by construction houses at a price which most of the small construction companies will find difficult to pay. Just in case if you get to find someone of this stature looking for a change of company, you got to be sure that you can shell that amount of money to hire him.

Simultaneously, if you have such kind of experienced operators in your company, ensure that you keep them happy and well paid because if they are unhappy about their package there are many other companies ready to pick them up. Quitting of experienced operators is always a threat and you should be ready to counter such threats if you want to stick to the industry. Well, there is one smart move that you can take to minimize this threat if not eliminate it completely. You can hire young operators who may not have much work experience and are ready to work for you at a lower price. In this way, you are not exploiting their talent and can also mitigate the threat of experienced operators moving to some other company.

Hire people from esteemed institutions:-

You need to first make a list of institutions and their rankings. Once you know the names of some good institutions, reach them out to hire operators. You can arrange a campus interviews and hire guys with good scores in their academics, people with real good knowledge of this domain and guys who are looking to make this profession as their career. Out of the many that you will hire, you will definitely get few who will stay long with the company and in this process can eventually prove to be a valuable asset to the company.

Knowledge on machines is vast:-

Going to esteemed institutions gives you the benefit of hiring guys who have good knowledge about the latest breed of machines. Young kids and ideally smarter than their earlier generation. It is just that they are not experienced in dealing with things and once they get some hands-on knowledge, they can really excel in their domain. These kids may need some guidance and will be able to pick things up very quickly.

Once you get them trained in the right fashion, things will start moving smoothly for you and you will diminish the threat of the old chaps leaving the company as you have the newer guys to take care of their businesses.

How to recruit competent operators

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Day in and day out we are witnessing a lot of changes in the way heavy equipment are being operated. It is primarily because of the ever increasing want of the consumer to make operating heavy equipment simpler and also because they want their work to be completed in comparatively lesser time so that they can concentrate on new projects. This has certainly given rise to the want of advanced heavy equipment and also simultaneously has given rise to the requirement of competent operators. Good operators have become a very rare commodity and are not easily found.

If you own a big construction house, you will not more than 6-7 operators who are highly experienced and know their job well. The other lot will always be a factor of worry for you. It has therefore become a skill to recruit competent operators for your company and we will discuss what exactly should be done to recognize their talent and make them a part of your organization.

Check how much they know about their work:-

It is important to check how knowledgeable the operator is as far as his work is concerned and how much he knows about heavy equipment. Check which all machines has he operated in the last 2 years and if there are any cases of accidents reported against him. Competencies do come with experience but that is certainly not the only criteria to become a competent operator. Therefore, you can also look for guys who do not have much experience but are still good with machines. You can ask them several questions pertaining to the equipment they have operated and check how correct they are while answering them. This will give you a hint on what kind of operator you are hiring.

Trial check is necessary to check their competency:-

In order to know how good they are in operating the heavy equipment, you can ask them to operate a machine and tell them what they need to do. Your instructions should be crystal clear so that they can perform the task without any confusion. Now if they complete the task without any error, you have the right guy for the job. This method of checking the competency of the operator is performed by many construction companies who are able to recruit ace operators.

 

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Veteran operators should act as role models to the newbie

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It is absolutely important for the tenured men to become role models for the new guys who would be taking over the work from them. You be a part of any industry but you need the experienced guys to teach you their work. You may have studied in the best of the institutions but having a hands-on knowledge is way too important than the bookish knowledge you have been imparted from your institution. Getting a degree from a college does not make you an expert. It is perhaps years of experience that comes into picture to become an expert in the field you are in. Therefore it is important to learn the tricks of the trade from a veteran of the industry who will impart you the knowledge which no institution can ever offer you.

Similarly, in the construction sector the work of an operator is considered to quite vital and when there are new recruits joining a construction company, it becomes the onus of the tenured operators to train them. They may have the technical knowledge but when it comes to practical training they will need your help. The new entrants coming straight from college aspiring to become ace operators have big dreams and it is your responsibility to give wings to their dreams. Help them in every possible manner you can. You become their teacher and apply every possible method to ensure that they do well on the jobsite.

Train them on understanding signals on jobsites:-

Comprehending signals is very crucial for an operator to perform in a construction site. He needs to read the signals well and understand what it means and accordingly move the machine. If he fails to understand it incorrectly, it may lead to a disaster. The veterans should ensure that the newbie learn to comprehend the signals and move the machine accordingly. Understanding the signals becomes all the more important in rugged terrain and bad weather conditions. Heavy equipment are required to work irrespective of the terrain and the operators are expected to work in that not so convenient condition. In such a situation, signals play a significant role for the operators to perform. The tenured operators should therefore offer their experience to the new guys and help them overcome any problem that they encounter on the ground.

Fix heavy equipment during breakdowns:-

Heavy equipment if breaks down during the course of work will result in no work on that day. This will lead to loss to the company. Heavy equipment usually give signs before completely breaking down and one can understand those signs only if they have worked on machines for years. The veterans can play a big role in understanding the state of the machine and can thus impart it to the recruits. When the machine is showing signs of breaking down, the veterans can point out the issue to the newbie and show how that can be fixed. In case if it requires involvement of an expert, the same should be explained to him.

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Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs

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Jobs that demand excellence pays handsomely to whose who has the ability to do justice with it and the temperament to deliver it without any delay. There are many such jobs that are ready to pay good money. However, the only thing that they demand is quality work and highly skilled labor. It is not that the ones who are semi-skilled are not fit for the job. It is just that they are not yet ready to claim the high package which an expert in the same domain is. So the thumb rule is that in order to deserve a high package, it is very essential that you show some character in your work. You will be rewarded only when you fit in the category of people who deserve the reward for their hard work.

If you are looking for such a job that truly rewards people who their hard work and excellence, you should be aspiring to become a heavy equipment operator. When you are an operator, you get the opportunity to learn a lot of things about the machine. Many operators also know how to fix the machine they are working on in case there appears to be some sort of problem. They do not lay their hands in grave issues though but ideally knows how to solve a particular problem.

Heavy equipment operator jobs are in plenty across United States. Many construction and mining companies are looking for experienced and skilled operators who have been operating different kinds of machines for a long time. They are also ready to pay them handsomely but the only crisis is with getting competent operators. Construction companies are experiencing serious problems in recruiting skilled operators. For some projects they can’t take the service of semi-skilled operators and only want skilled men for the job. These projects are quite important for them and hiring a person who has limited knowledge or experience in operating heavy equipment can be a big danger for the project as well as the people involved with the project. It may also rupture the rapport with the client if the clients does not get to see quality work happening.

It is very crucial to join a renowned institute or a training center that deals with teaching people how to operate heavy equipment. They may have different courses. They may have something for the beginners, then for the ones who want to learn more and finally advanced courses. After which, they get the opportunity to work with expert operators during site visits. They get the chance to interact with them, shoot questions at them and get suitable answers. They can even try their hands on the machine under the guidance of the expert operator. Once they are through with the training program, they can apply as apprentice in a construction company from where they will start getting exposure into the practical aspect of being an operator.

It will be only through experience that they will garnish their skills and knowledge and their quality will be reflected in their work. Once they become competent, searching for a high paid job will not be difficult.

Heavy Equipment Operator jobs overseas

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The job of a heavy equipment operator is a highly paid one across United States but if someone likes to seek for opportunities outside US, they have a much brighter prospect. Job opportunities for heavy equipment operator in the overseas markets are huge and they are always in search of highly skilled men who have ample of experience working in the same profile. Years of experience in this domain will only make you more and more better with machines. You not only know how to operate heavy equipment in different work conditions but also learn how to fix machines when they go bad. It is not always possible to have a mechanic handy who can come at their beck and call. In situation like these, it is the operator who puts his foot ahead and takes up the responsibility to resolve the problem.

People outside United States have not received such kind of training that is given to people here in this country and this is why operators from US are in great demand in countries in the Mideast and the Gulf. The job opportunities of a heavy equipment operator is not only limited to these countries but their work are highly appreciated in many other developing countries that engages hugely in construction and mining works. Heavy equipment operators have huge scope in these countries.

The most convenient way to know if there are any opportunities for heavy equipment operator jobs overseas is through advertisements in newspapers. If you are looking for any such opportunities, then you should keep an eye on the newspaper on a daily basis. Just go through the paper once in the overseas assignment section and check if you have anything for you. It is advisable that you do not involve any kind of agent in between. Try to do things on your own and establish contact with the employer via emails. Check if you are eligible for their requirements and then send your resume to them. If they find you eligible, they will respond to you via email. You can then further establish contact and check the procedure on how you can get the visa and work permit. Also check the package they are ready to offer. You should have a clear communication on these things as it may turn into a big problem once you land up in a foreign country.

The other better option is to search for overseas heavy equipment operator jobs online. Checking newspaper advertisement is terms to be primitive and more people are latching on to internet for the smallest of things. Here you can get ample of options and also select the country you want to work. If you want to work in an English speaking country, then you can even opt for countries like Australia, New Zealand etc. They have immense opportunities for heavy equipment operators. However, they want you to give your best to them. Working as a heavy equipment operator overseas will turn out to be a rewarding career for you and you will end up making good chunk of money after having worked for few years in a foreign land.

How to operate a bulldozer

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Operating heavy equipment can be easy only if you have hands-on knowledge and know which gadget has what function. It is definitely not a child’s play and just in case you do not know how it works and still try your hands on it then you should be also ready for the consequences. Guys who are new to the construction world are often found to be curious to work on a construction machine and they try their luck when the operator is not around. However, that is not a healthy thing to do as they can cause serious damages to life and property. Out of the many heavy types of equipment that one can see in a construction site, the one that is very frequent is a bulldozer also known as “Dozer”. It may not be difficult to learn to operate a dozer but it is absolutely difficult to operate it in vulnerable places like on the mountain slide or on muddy surfaces. This means that one needs a lot of practice to become an expert operator of the dozer and therefore can also become a highly priced driver.

We will speak about some basic techniques that one can make use of to operate a dozer.

Start the engine and keep your foot on the brakes:-

The first thing that you will do to operate a bulldozer is turn the machine on by turning the machine into ignition mode. Once you find the dozer has started, keep your foot on the brakes so that just in case it starts off and catches speed, you should be able to control it well within time and stop it by applying those brakes.

Start moving the machine:-

Once you have started the dozer, it is time that you start moving it a bit by having complete control on the machine. Now you should hold the joystick and move it slowly on the place you need to go. The joystick of the machine is smooth and will facilitate you to move the machine the way you want it to.

Keep good control on the speed:-

You can’t treat a dozer like your car and therefore you need to take immense care and ensure that you keep the speed of the dozer in control. You should make use of the decelerator to bring down the speed of the machine. You hit the decelerator with your foot which is located just beside the brake and can slow it down.

Make the ground smooth:-

The sole purpose of the dozer is to keep the surface of the ground smooth like butter which is done with the help of the blades that runs on the ground. You have to lower the blade so that it can hit the ground in a way that it is making it look smooth. You have to make use of the pedal and the joystick to maneuver the entire area and make sure that the face of the blade is always hitting the ground as you move over it.

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Hire operators rather than operating the machine on your own

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We can’t do everything on our own. Even the geniuses of our time and also in the past were not able to find success in all the things. They have to give away.  A few things to others who could do it better than them. Similarly, not everybody can operate heavy equipment. It is not child’s play that they can just sit in the cab and start working things inside. There are lots of stuff inside the cab which are very critical and if something is pressed incorrectly, it can lead to unwanted accidents, injuries or maybe even loss of life. You may also end up damaging your machine. Heavy equipment are highly expensive items and any damage to the machine can cost you dearly. Therefore, having the right person for the job is what every wise person will want to do.

We will talk about few a points stressing why we should hire an operator rather than operating the machine on our own.

Lack of expertise:-

We may be an expert in drawing strategy which is required for the growth of the business but if you now think of operating the machine knowing that it is not your strength, you may end up inviting trouble for yourself. Heavy equipment is quite a complex subject and not everyone can learn it well. It also requires good deal of practice to master the art of driving the machine. You just can’t wake up one day and start working inside the cab. If you don’t know much about operating machinery, the cab is just not the place for you. A qualified operator with years of experience can steer the equipment with much more ease than you can think of doing. So, it is better that you hand over the work to the expert and you do what you are good at.

Operators may know when the machine needs what:-

Many a times, heavy equipment give problems that could not be recognized clearly by a layman. It is not that the machine will stop working, but will give signs of ailment. A newbie may not realize the issue but an experienced operator will understand that there is something wrong with the machine and it needs to be checked. Alternatively, the operator knows when to service the machine, when to change the engine oil and when to replace an obsolete part with a fresh one. These are things that we may easily skip but an operator will take due care and ensure that the machine is always in order.

Saves cost of the mechanic:-

An operator has wide knowledge of the machine and therefore if anything goes wrong with the equipment, he can be in a position to fix it. Calling a mechanic can be avoided if you have an experienced hand on the machine. This will also ensure that your project does not take a beating just because the machine has a small glitch in it. Any small glitch can be taken care of by the operator.

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