There are a quite a few heavy equipment safety guidelines that need to be remembered when operating a backhoe, and this list is by no means all inclusive. The following are some key areas that are known to be safety issues in a large number of workplaces. Maintaining a safe working environment keeps accidents from happening.

1. Always wear a seatbelt when you are operating the machine.
2. Do not allow your co-workers to ride in the equipment.
3. Keep any bystanders clear of your equipment while it is operation.
4. Stick to the manufacturers rated capacity.
5. Never allow anyone under the arm of the backhoe or to pass anything through the arms of the backhoe.
6. Do not set up on loose or soft ground, it could cause the backhoe to overbalance.
7. Ensure that everyone is clear of the machine when starting the equipment.
8. Ensure that the machine is well maintained.
9. Wear your hard hat and hearing protection.
10. The boom should always be centered and raised during transportation.

There are countless other safety guidelines for backhoes. These are, however, some areas that safety tends to fall down in a lot of places. Some of the safety blunders that people make can have lethal consequences. As always, when operating heavy equipment, take note of what is going on around you. As a skilled worker, you have a position of some responsibility. You are using dangerous equipment and you owe it to your co-workers to do all that you can to keep them safe.

There comes a time in every person’s life when they decide to sit back and take stock of where they are. Before you know it you have hit middle age and have nothing to show for it except mounting debt and a few extra pounds around the waistline. Jumping headlong into a new career is not an easy thing to do. It is especially difficult if you do not have any specialized training. How can you get into a meaningful career or at the very least a high paying job if you do not have any qualifications? Helping people move up in life is what we are about here at Associated Training Services. If you are looking for a career, but lack the necessary skills and qualifications to get one, you can become a heavy equipment operator. Operators of backhoes are highly sought after skilled workers and we can train you to become one.

Just about every major construction site that you come across will have at least one backhoe in operation. Some will work several at one time. There are great opportunities for employment throughout the country. Working for a construction company as a backhoe operator pays very well, but owner-operators of backhoes, even small ones can earn a great deal more. If you were thinking about a career in heavy equipment, getting certification for backhoes is well worth the effort.

At Associated Training Services schools around the country our skilled, professional instructors have helped many people just like you to get their backhoe certification. Please contact us if you have any questions.

The term backhoe is generally unknown to non-construction types. It is a piece of heavy machinery that actually has its origins in the UK. In 1953, the JCB company created the backhoe and while technology has changed a little since then, they still look remarkably similar. A backhoe is simply a digging bucket attached to an articulated arm. It can be mounted on the front or back of a tractor or front loader. Whether it is mounted on the front or the back, it is still called a backhoe.

The digging action of a backhoe is quite different to that of a bulldozer. A bulldozer pushes forward, while a backhoe draws earth backward. The articulated arm allows for more precise digging than other pieces of heavy equipment. Backhoes or backhoe loaders go by a few different names. You might hear them referred to as back actors or rear actors. In Europe they are often referred to as JCBs (in honor of the company that is credited with their invention). Whatever you choose to call this piece of machinery, it is an incredible invention that has revolutionized construction.

If you are interested in learning how to use backhoes or any other types of heavy equipment, contact us at Associated Training Services. We offer a combination of theoretical and practical learning that will give you the right amount of training to be a skilled, heavy equipment operator.