When we think of heavy equipment we think of bulldozers, graders, excavators and perhaps backhoes. Some individuals may heave worked in mines and seen some of the large shovels and excavators at work there. However, what you may not have seen are some of the world record holders when it comes to heavy equipment.

Back in 1969 “The Big Muskie” was considered the largest self-propelled piece of machinery in operation. It could move 39 million pounds of earth every hour; uncover coals seams up to 150 feet into the earth’s crust; and could “swing its boom” 600 feet across the landscape. It was shut down in 1991 and only its enormous metal bucket remains. It is now a roadside attraction in Reinersville, Ohio.

In Lichterfeld, Germany lived another “biggest” moving man-made machine. This machine was called the Overburden Conveyor Bridge F60 and although it weighed only 11,000 tons, its length was an untouchable 1,647 feet. It was also 663 feet wide. It was built in 1991 but only lasted 13 months in operation before being shut down for “energy-political” reasons.

The length of this machine is 100 feet longer than the height of the Sears Tower – that is measures from the base of the building to the tip of the longest lightning rod or antenna.

You may never get to operate one of these giants, but believe it or not the skills acquired in becoming a heavy equipment operator would be sufficient to get you started as an operator of one of these. ATS Heavy Equipment Training School can provide you with the skills required to operate heavy equipment in the mining industry. Can we get you into one of these giants? Probably not, but the equipment that mines do use are pretty impressive when it comes to size.

The backhoe is probably one of the most used pieces of heavy equipment with smaller versions now being used by landscape gardeners. The term backhoe is used to describe a piece of excavating equipment which consists of a digging bucket fixed to the end of an articulated arm.

The backhoe is typically mounted on the back of a tractor with common versions having a small front end loader at the front.

Rather than push earth, the backhoe works by digging the bucket into the earth and dragging it towards the machine. This pulling rather than pushing motion gives the machine a lot of strength and power in relation to its size.

The question was, why is a backhoe called a backhoe? The obvious answer is because the bucket os located at the rear, or ‘back’ of the machine. However, the location of the bucket is not why they are referred to as backhoes. The name is derived from the motion of the digging bucket. As explained, instead of pushing the material forward, the backhoe bucket scoops the earth back toward the body of the machine.

Whatever the reason for the name, they are one of the most used pieces of heavy equipment. ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools include backhoes in their training regime. To learn how operate one and perhaps start a career as a backhoe operator, visit our site and check out your training options.

Heavy equipment training is not expensive, but, having said that, it’s not exactly cheap either – unless of course you take up our FREE online training offer. You can’t get any cheaper than that.

To help prospective students in their decisions on heavy equipment training we have put together a FREE information packet that has information on curriculum, job placement assistance, class calendars, pricing, Enrollment/Financial Assistance Applications, and a DVD about heavy equipment and a career as a heavy equipment operator.

These information packs are free to all and are particularly useful for school leavers or those looking for a career change. Being a heavy equipment operator is a demanding yet satisfying career. If you look at employment within the construction industry, or as part of a road/rail building gang, you can look back in years to come knowing that you helped to create that building, road or rail line.

To obtain a free information pack just fill in the online form and we will send one of to you, generally withing 24 hours of you submitting your details. Become a heavy equipment operator and you will gain skills that can be used for life!

The excavator and bulldozer play a tag team role in many mining environments, none more so than the coal mining industry. Here they are the kings of heavy equipment virtually running the whole show. All other heavy equipment rely on these two operating effectively.

Excavators are powerful units of heavy equipment designed to chew away at the coal face, taking huge bites. Most excavators rely on one or more conveyor belts to remove the mined material to either large dump trucks or to a huge pile awaiting transport away from the mine.

Bulldozers provide the grunt when it comes to push. Bulldozers collect the excess material from around the excavator. This allows for easier for easier movement around the site. The bulldozer is also ensuring that all the mined coal is heaped up ready for transport.

The work hand-in-hand; one scraping the other pushing. Heavy equipment operators in the coal mining industry may specialize in just one piece of equipment or they may be relied upon to operate several different pieces of heavy equipment. Gaining a cross section of training is always going to be a big plus when it comes to looking fro employment.

At ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools we endeavor to provide you with that cross section of heavy equipment training to prepare you for employment in a cross section of industries including the coal mining industry.

Truck mounted cranes are popular in the field of heavy equipment because of their versatility and mobility. These days the truck mounted crane is capable of lifting quite large and quite heavy loads, in fact some come equipped with ‘feet’ that can be extended either side of the truck body to provide extra stability.

So what is the difference between a truck crane and a standard crane? Essentially nothing. The actual operation for the crane is normally the same. The same controls, the same lifting concepts, the same health and safety aspects. The only difference is that you will need a truck license to drive from one job to the next.

Where some truck mounted cranes do have a big advantage is in their ability to lift a load and drive it closer to the desired location. Obviously this cannot be done with large or very heavy objects, however each model of truck mounted crane has a safe load limit for this type of work.

Truck mounted cranes are used on construction sites, in the mining industry, and can also be found as part of an emergency team, often called in to right vehicles, trucks and trains.

The skills required to operate a truck mounted crane can be obtained through any crane operator training facility such as ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools. Check out their training offers and find the right training program for you.

The best advertisement in the world is the recommendation that comes from the satisfied customer. Someone who has purchased your product and is happy to provide a testimonial of some type. Heavy equipment training is no different and heavy equipment operators that have been through our training school are always satisfied with the training and satisfied with their employment outcomes.

For those individuals who are considering a career as a heavy equipment operator, you should take a minute or two to listen to what other students have to say about their training.

It is one thing to talk about quality training, it another to actually deliver, yet that is one of our important claims to fame, delivering quality training that is broken up into convenient and easy to follow sections. We don’t rush the training in any order, we have designed our training to flow smoothly and hold relevance to you the student.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools are happy to have prospective students review the testimonials left by previous students. You can view the video feedback left by these students on our main web page.

If you are reading this post then the chances you are interested in a career as a heavy equipment operator. If that is right, you are almost there.

A career has a heavy equipment operator is not that difficult to achieve. One of your first steps should be to undertake our free online training program. Everything is done online and once completed you will be able to print out your certificate. If your happy with your results then it is a simple process to inquire about a hands on training program.

Training programs are conducted through a combination of in class and hands on the equipment style lessons. All training is broken down into easy to digest components which helps to make the learning experience less stressful.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools can help make your ambitions come true. Your half there now – take the next step and realize your dreams.

Heavy equipment is a little like driving a car. Once you gain the skills, even a year or two away from the wheel wont see your skills wasted. The moment you hop behind the controls the skills will all come flooding back.

Of course, over time the heavy equipment will change and with it the controls and internal layout. However, the basic operation remains the same. These skills are acquired fairly quickly through an accredited training provider. Your time investment is generally less than three months, the skills acquired will last a lifetime.

One trend that comes in waves involves school leavers. They gain the knowledge to operate heavy equipment and use those skills to gain employment. They use that employment to then help them fund their way through college, often in associated industries such as engineering.

College graduates then come into the industry through the heavy equipment sector and start the ladder climb within the business. The heavy equipment skills will always be there to fall back on should the need ever arise.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools can provide that accredited training and get you started into a new career. Remember, less than ten weeks provides you with a lifetime of skills.

Once a bastion of male domination, the construction site is becoming an equal opportunity employer as more and more women join the workplace.

Women have been driving trucks for a long time now so it is only natural they would set their sites on other areas within the heavy equipment scene. Today’s machinery is nothing like those of yesteryear. You no longer need brute stength to operate many of these machines. They have incorporated features such as power steering, power assisted hydraulics and a much friendlier cab environment.

Heavy equipment can be operated by anyone, young, old, male or female. Provided you receive the right training, there are no longer any boundaries as to who can operate any of the heavy equipment found on construction site. In fact, it’s not just heavy equipment. You will find women working in a variety of places, from the trades such as carpentry through to metal work and scaffolding, there are no longer any limitations.

Training is the key and training institutions throw their doors open to all who want a career in heavy equipment. ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools places no limitations on the individuals wanting a career in heavy equipment. If the desire is there, the opportunity is as well.