If you need to move dirt then you’ll most likely see a bulldozer or front-end loader at work. If you want to dig holes then you’ll often see an excavator at work. If you need to dig holes and move dirt then the best option is to go for a backhoe. Why use two or three pieces of heavy equipment when one piece will do the job? Almost every decent sized construction firm has a backhoe or two and for most owner operators, their first equipment of choice is the backhoe.

Versatility is the key and for those just starting out in business having a piece of equipment that can do a wide range of jobs means they can tender and advertise for more work. If you own and operate a excavator, while there may be plenty of work available now, there will also be quiet times when excavators are not called for. The same can be said about loaders and bulldozers. Because a backhoe effectively crosses over the roles of loader and excavator, the amount of quiet time is much less. The same situation occurs in the workplace.

Training to become a backhoe operator is not that difficult. People from all walks of life and from all ages can and do train to become backhoe operators. Women have also found this to be an easier entry into the heavy equipment work force. After three weeks of heavy equipment training, graduate operators are ready for entry level employment in the heavy equipment industry. By selecting a career as a backhoe operator you can potentially open more doors than those that select single-use equipment like excavators and bulldozers.

If you’re interested in finding out more about heavy equipment in general, why not attend a free introductory class. These classes are totally free with no obligation and are conducted across a range of locations. Free classes are already scheduled up until mid-December so contact us at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools to find out where our closest school is located and when their next free heavy equipment classes are scheduled. A single phone call could change your life and start you on the road to a successful career as a heavy equipment operator.

If you are looking for a reliable career as a heavy equipment operator then backhoes are one of the better choices. Being versatile equipment, there is generally always a demand for competent operators. The key word there of course was competent, often measured by experience across a wide range of projects and activities.

For most new operators, lack of experience is the one area that will count against them when looking for employment. On the plus side, if a new operator has received training through a well recognized training provider then employers will consider their application more seriously. Getting your foot through the door is the hard part – once you achieve it, you then need to learn as much as you can on the job.

In years gone by, a prospective operator could basically learn from their parent, or the operator from down the road. Training was unstructured and most new recruits to the industry brought with them the bad habits of their trainers. In today’s world, heavy equipment training needs to be structured and with such strict safety guidelines in place on worksites, there is no room for bad habits.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools have been training backhoe operators for decades. The training program offers instruction on a variety of equipment, including loaders and excavators, equipment closely associated with backhoes. Our training record speaks for itself and over the years has built a solid reputation with employers and those involved within the industry.

If you are seeking a reliable career as a heavy equipment operator, rather than limiting yourself to one piece of equipment like a backhoe, look at who is providing the training. Heavy equipment as an option is fairly reliable, but only for those who have had good training and developed a record as competent and reliable operators – that’s where ATS can get you started.

If you like variety in your career then backhoes are the answer when it comes to careers in heavy equipment. Loaders, while doing a range of jobs, really rely on the one instrument, a shovel. Excavators, while having a range of attachments that make the job more interesting, rely on a bucket. Bulldozer and graders rely on blades to get a job done. Backhoes, on the other hand, are multi-function machines.

For starters, backhoes have a bucket at one end and a shovel at the other so they perform the roles of both a loader and an excavator. Like an excavator, the backhoe also has a wide range of attachments that can perform a variety of tasks. Gaining backhoe skills also sets up an operator with the option of operating loaders or excavators as well should the need (or demand) arise.

In today’s workplace, being able to operate a range of equipment makes you a valuable addition to any workplace. Backhoes provide that career option. You could find yourself working on a housing project this week, a road building project next week, and a demotion project the following week. And that is just a taste of the types of work available.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools makes the task a little easier for you as well. Our heavy equipment training programs cover a range of equipment including loader, excavators and backhoes along with the traditional bulldozers and graders. If you’re looking for a career that has variety then consider a career as a heavy equipment operator, particularly a backhoe operator.

Self employment is a popular path for many people involved in the heavy equipment industry and the machinery of choice are backhoes. There is a good reason for this, of course. Backhoes are versatile and can be used in a wide range of earth moving jobs. If an operator can acquire a backhoe and a set of attachments at a reasonable price, there is plenty of work available.

The downside to self employment is that backhoe operators need to become business savvy. Operators need to advertise their services, be savvy enough to know how long a job will take, how much they should charge and what sort of competition there is in their area. They also need to be aware of what sort of reputation, prices and availability that competition enjoys. For example, an operator with a good reputation may be able to charge more since their equipment is heavily booked. On the other hand, you may have a good reputation and be heavily booked so you can afford to set your prices a little higher than the competition. This is where business sense comes into play.

Like all careers, there is a starting point and for backhoes that entails training, experience and acquiring the funds to purchase your equipment. You will never gain any tangible experience unless you undertake a recognized training program. Employers are not going to risk their reputation, or their equipment, on graduates who don’t come from a recognized training program.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are well recognized within the industry for providing well trained and ready to work heavy equipment graduates. Graduates from ATS find little difficulty in finding secure employment if they display the right attitudes during their training and through their job seeking processes.

It takes time. In fact, it may well take several years before you are ready to become a self employed backhoe operator. The opportunities are there for those that are willing to learn everything there is to know about operating backhoes and the associated attachments. Just remember, if you want to become self employed as a backhoe operator, it all starts with a recognized heavy equipment training program – from there, the sky’s the limit.

Backhoe operators have one of the most varied careers when it comes heavy equipment. One moment they are excavator operators and the next, loader operators. Because of their versatility, they are also used in a wide variety of situations. Home building, landscaping, construction of services such as water and sewage, forestry and road constructions are just a few areas where you will find a backhoe. As an operator, you could find yourself working in any one of those places – everyday it may be different.

When it comes to owning an earth moving business, backhoes are often the first choice because of that versatility. As an owner operator, backhoes can do some of the work of an excavator or a loader. This means owner operators can offer their services to a wider range of clients.

As a career, backhoe operators are well sought after, particularly those that have a wide range of experience. The only way to gain that experience is by starting at the bottom and working your way up. Starting at the bottom means finding a good backhoe or heavy equipment training provider – one that will train you to industry standards so that you are employable from the day you graduate.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools have a long history of providing proficient operators to industry. We also have a very effective career services department that may be able to help you secure that first job. As industry leaders in heavy equipment training, we pride ourselves on the reputation gained with employers across the country. Are you looking for a career that takes you outdoors, is varied and, at times, challenging then consider a career as a backhoe operator.

For many, a backhoe is weird look vehicle that has a bucket at one end and a scoop at the other. The bucket digs trenches like an excavator does while the scoop acts in pretty much the same manner as a traditional loader. In reality, operating a backhoe is far more complex. When it comes to buckets, there are a range of sizes that are interchangeable. This can range from a narrow 12 inch wide bucket to a fairly decent 40 inches – but interchangeable buckets are just the start.

The range of attachments is fairly broad. In fact, think of a device used in construction, logging or mining and their is most likely an attachment available for a backhoe that does the same job. Jackhammers, augers or drills, grapple hooks, logging tools – you name it, there is a tool available for the job.

As a backhoe operator, you will be expected to know how to change attachments. It would also help if you knew how to use each attachment. The latter is not so hard since the controls remain the same – change attachment, take five to get a feel for it, and away you go. Professional heavy equipment training is the key to understanding how to change attachments and to use many of them.

You can find professional training through ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools. You can complete your training in as little as three weeks and be on your way to a career as a professional heavy equipment operator in next to no time – backhoes included.

Should you multi skill and become a backhoe operator? I guess I don’t have to remind everyone of the economy and the struggles that everyone has been through – if you didn’t see, feel or hear about it then you probably weren’t on the planet at the time. Times have been tough and many small businesses have been feeling the pinch – even in heavy equipment. As we start to shake off the problems of the past two/three years, businesses are starting to spend again, but very cautiously.

When it comes to heavy equipment purchases, prudence is the order of the day and cost reduction the number one factor. One of the easiest ways to cut costs is by using equipment that is versatile. The more versatile a unit of heavy equipment is, the more income that equipment can generate. I know, boring details on how to run a business – however, it does impact on all of us.

When it comes to heavy equipment, why buy a loader and an excavator when a backhoe can do the same work – in one unit. The only down side to buying a backhoe is that it can only be in one place at any one time – but it can certainly undertake a wide range of tasks while in that one place. During the recession, the last unit of heavy equipment to be mothballed was the backhoe. The first unit to be purchased was also a backhoe and, at present, the highest demand for operators is for backhoe operators.

Since it takes the skills of both a loader operator and an excavator operator, it makes sense to multi skill and take on the role of a backhoe operator. The path to multi skilling is made easier when a heavy equipment training program actually covers a wide range of equipment When the economy evens out, you can specialize in excavators, or loaders, or perhaps stay with backhoes, it’s your choice.

Undertaking a heavy equipment training program at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools gives you one advantage – you receive training across a range of equipment. When it comes to working as a backhoe operator, you need to combine the skills of several units of equipment into one.

Backhoes are the odd one out when it comes to heavy equipment. At one end you have an excavator style digging tool while at the other end you have a loader tool – being proficient with an excavator and a loader would certainly be handy.

Backhoes are one of the most versatile units when it comes to heavy equipment and earth moving. Being wheeled vehicles, you will often see them driving down the road with their ‘back hoe’ folded in a little like a scorpion’s tail. Their ability to work in reasonably confined spaces is a help but their real value comes in the flexibility of the tools they can use.

Like excavators, there are scores of different types of tools that can be attached. There are also different types of scoops at the opposite end of the vehicle – some that can be opened at the bottom for faster emptying. Having a broad range of skills then is essential if you wish to become a proficient backhoe operator. Those skills can only be obtained through training followed by experience on the job.

At ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools, we take a holistic approach. Your backhoe training is important and needs to be across a range of equipment. Just as importantly, being able to quickly find employment where you can use your newfound skills will help to hone them. We don’t just train you, we also help you find this employment through our career services department. Put together, this means you can become a highly proficient operator in a very short time.

Backhoe operators are always in demand and those that are very good at their jobs soon gain a reputation that only serves to increase the demand for their services. How then do you gain a reputation for being a proficient operator? Like all careers, it’s not that difficult with time and patience being your best attribute. The following tips will certainly help you reach your goal.

Foundation – you can only become truly proficient at something if you have a good skills base to begin with. Learn bad habits early and they can become very difficult to change later in life. Learn good habits early and you have the start of a good foundation. For backhoe operators, start by undertaking an accredited heavy equipment training program that exposes you to a range of heavy equipment. Naturally, the training program should include hands-on experience behind the controls of a backhoe.

Practice – finding an employer that is prepared to let you build your skills on the job is the next step in the learning process. Some training organizations have career services that can help you get that first job.

Variety – over time, you can really hone your skills by seeking employment with businesses that will provide you with a wide variety of work. You need a solid training base with a good work history to move into a position where the work requires a higher skill level. However, if you have the patience and you’re prepared to learn as much as you can along the way, you will find employers happy to hire you in these more advanced positions.

It all starts with good training and a willingness to continue learning on the job. If that sounds like you then a career as a backhoe operator is waiting. If you expect to undertake some basic training then move into a high paying highly skilled position – think again – even doctors can’t achieve that.

Demolition sites are one place that backhoes really do earn their keep. Being one of the most versatile pieces of heavy equipment in use today, they can do everything from pulling down walls to breaking up concrete and then finish the job by loading it all on to dump trucks. I have seen backhoes do a complete demolition job on houses without the help of any other equipment.

Working with a backhoe on a demolition site really does test out a wide range of backhoe operator skills. Pulling walls down is not that difficult. However, changing attachments and using them to complete other tasks is another matter. Breaking up concrete using the equivalent of a large jackhammer is one task, using grabbers to lift large items into dump trucks is another. Backhoe operators are possibly the most multi-skilled of any heavy machinery operator – they are at least on a par with excavator operators who use similar attachments.

Training to become a backhoe operator is not that difficult. In fact, at ATS Heavy Equipment Operators Schools we can have you trained and ready for the workplace in as little as three weeks. That includes training on a range of equipment including a backhoe.

Demolition work is not easy. It requires skills and the ability to foresee problems that may arise. Safety is always a big issue with demolition sites often having higher injury rates than construction sites. If demolition work is a field that you would like to enter, consider training to become a backhoe operator. It’s a field of work where your learning never stops.