If you have been considering a career in heavy equipment, particularly as a grader operator, then I suggest you do something about it now. I don’t mean to be pushy, but, spring is only a day away and spring heralds the start of the busy earth moving season. By the time summer starts, most heavy construction jobs will be in full swing; employers will have completed their hiring; and heavy equipment operators will be hard at work trying to complete contracts on time so they can sneak more in before winter returns.

Becoming a grader operator is not as difficult as it seems. Sure, they are complex beasts and the role they fill is one where precision is a necessity. However, with onboard computer technology, this is often fairly easy to achieve. Training in the field of heavy equipment can be completed in as little as three weeks and have you ready to enter the workplace.

Training programs such as those at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools include all the skills necessary to gain and keep well paid employment. Our heavy equipment training is accredited nationally, which means your skills will be recognized nationwide. It also means that employers know you have been trained to a certain level of skill. In fact, once they see the ATS logo on your documentation they know you have received quality training.

Now is the time to act – if you enroll now you should have your training completed and be ready for work by the end of March, just in time for the mid-spring heavy equipment operator recruitment drives.

As we improve the technology of modern heavy earthmoving equipment the skills of operators are becoming more refined. This is especially true of grader operators who have laser and GPS technology to deal with. Add to this the introduction of computerized controls and the machinery now, although looking similar to those of yesterday, can be far different to operate.

The key to surviving as a grader operator is the quality of the training you receive. Grader operator training shouldn’t just rely on how to operate the controls. That is only one component of the job. These days, a good grader operator can read plans, is able to identify different soil types and how they react when worked, and have a thorough understanding of workplace safety. Soil types is one area where training can provide the basics, but it is only through experience that you can build a thorough understanding of the topic.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools doesn’t just train to the basic operator skills. We include plan reading, soils, safety and general equipment maintenance – all the skills that employers now require of their operators. Of course, we also include hands on use of the equipment; grader operator training wouldn’t be training without it.

Our graduates are well respected within the industry so gaining useful employment after your training is not a big issue. If you are interested in a career as a grader operator, consider enrolling in our heavy equipment training program. You can be on your way to a successful career as a grader operator in as little as three weeks.

Graders are similar to other heavy equipment in that there are procedures that operators go through when on the job. For example, there are pre-startup, startup and shutdown procedures that need to be followed. There is one thing for sure – you cannot just jump in and start working.

When it comes to grader training, these procedures must be learned before you jump into the driver’s seat. For experienced operators, it takes no more than a couple of minutes to go through each of the procedures. What is involved with each procedure? Let’s have a look (and this is not a comprehensive list – just an example).

Pre-Startup procedure for a motor grader

• fluid levels are correct
• evidence of damage
• evidence of structural weaknesses
• evidence of stress on welds
• attachments are fitted correctly
• tires are inflated and not damaged

Startup procedure for a motor grader

• engine is running smoothly
• hazard systems are operational
• controls function smoothly

Shutdown procedure for a motor grader

• grader is parked in suitable location
• motion locks and brakes are applied
• visual inspection for defective equipment
• grader secured against unauthorized operation

As I mentioned, this is by no means a comprehensive list. In fact, most of what is on that list is just plain common sense. If done properly, minor problems can be identified and fixed before they become major issues causing lengthy down times.

Learning to operate a grader involves more than just learning the controls. These procedures need to be learned and followed along with safety issues, job planning and soil identification. However, by gaining an understanding of these areas you will become the complete operator, someone who looks after their equipment and gets the job done efficiently. There is more to grader training than just learning the controls.

If you were to choose a career in heavy equipment, which machinery would you specialize in? There is a wide variety to choose from, one being the grader – or motor grader. Why should you select the motor grader instead of a bulldozer or excavator? They are both great machines, however, the motor grader has a couple of extras going for it. These include:

• Technology: Graders lead the way when it comes to technology. They use GPS, laser and on-board computers. Whenever there is a new technology being tested – you can almost guarantee that graders will be a part of that trial.
• Skills: Grader operators are amongst the most skilled when it comes to heavy equipment. They have to be, they are the finishers when it comes to many projects. Where bulldozers use brute force to move dirt, graders use fine controls, exacting angles and precision driving to achieve that finished result.
• Money: Money is always mentioned when it comes to comparing grader operators to other heavy equipment. But then, they are often paid more – need I say any more?
• Pride: While all operators take pride in their work, grader operators often take just a little more. The reason for that is because you can see their finished results. Using the bulldozer and road building as an example again, they carve out ground but then the grader comes in and reworks what the bulldozer has done. It is the grader operator that puts the final touch when it comes to evenness and slope and everything that goes into preparing a road for sealing.

That’s four good reasons I can think of for selecting a career as a grader operator. Here’s a fifth. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools are highly skilled at training heavy equipment operators, grader operators included. They can have you trained and ready to start work in as little as three weeks. Are you ready for an interesting career as a grader operator? If so, contact us at ATS for more information on our next training program.

A report released yesterday is claiming that the economic stimulus package has already created over 600,000 jobs. With an increase in public works spending still to come to fruition, and the flow on effect from increased construction, the outlook for grader operators is positive. For those looking for a career as a grader operator, now is the time to seek out grader operator training.

Graders are one of the key pieces of heavy equipment when it comes to new roads and for leveling out new housing estates. Their ability to manicure the surface to such precise angles, slopes and thicknesses means that work in these areas can be completed quickly when compared to other heavy equipment.

Training to become a grader operator is not that demanding. It takes three weeks to complete both the theory and the hands on practical training. ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools provide students with late model equipment in which to train – and the training really is hands-on. None of this standing behind an instructor and watching them operate the equipment.

The demand for grader operators is on the increase. Spring and summer will see this demand grow even faster. ATS can provide assistance when it comes to financing your training. We can also provide assistance when it comes to finding your first job placement. All it takes is a little dedicated time over a three week period and you’ll be ready to start a career as a grader operator. Our graders part of your future – if so, contact us now for details on our next heavy equipment training program.

If you watch enough television or go to the movies, you are bound to have seen airplane flight simulators, but what about grader operators and other heavy equipment? They are around in various stages of technical design. Some are reasonably good, some are just plain terrible. What they all lack is the fresh air and the dirt under your feet. Sure, I could get a simulator, throw a bucket of dirt on the floor and put on the air conditioner, but it still isn’t the same.

Nothing will ever beat actually getting into a grader and working it over real dirt. Simulators can copy the effects quite well, but they are, well, simulations. The real thing brings with it real time problems, real rocks, and real people working around you. Simulations can take the reality out of the learning and turn it into a game.

Here at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools we are proud to use real graders with real dirt. You learn to operate a grader with your hands on the controls, not you looking over an instructor’s shoulder as they do it all. You get to walk in the dirt and assess what type of soil it is, how hard packed it is, and how best to approach the job. Simulators can only go so far; you cannot bend down, pick up the dirt and look at it in a simulator.

If you’re interested in a career as a grader operator, or as an operator of heavy equipment in general, contact us at ATS and we will be happy to discuss what training options are available for you – using a real grader, not a simulator.

GPS skills are becoming an important asset for grader and excavator operators as new equipment comes onto the market fitted with these devices as standard. More importantly, contractors are starting to realize the real benefits behind these devices. In an environment that is so competitive, being able to reduce costs and submit lower price tenders for projects is becoming essential to survive.

Using new technology like GPS to its fullest means contractors can cut days, if not weeks, off some projects and with it tens of thousands of dollars. How does GPS help these operators? Whilst it may sound complicated, the process is fairly straightforward.

In the past, a grader operator would be asked to grade a section of ground to a set of parameters that included blade angle, slope and depth etc. After a number of passes, the operator would wait while a surveyor checked the levels and determined the next set of settings. The introduction of GPS, particularly with laser technology, has produced a big change to how the operator works.

At the start of a process, the desired results are entered into a computer-like interface. The computer then determines blade angle, slope and depth and automatically sets them. The grader operator then proceeds to work the area with the computer constantly making fine adjustments – all guided with the aid of GPS and lasers.

With this technology, there is no stoppage time while the operator waits for the surveyor. The surveyor comes back at the end of the process and checks to ensure it means the plans. If it does, the next stage begins. Similar procedures occur in excavators where a depth and angle are preset. The GPS unit then helps to set the bucket angle and depths of the dig.

These devices save a lot of down time (non-operating time) which means a job can be completed far quicker than in the past. These tasks can also be completed with far greater accuracy than in the past. If you are a grader or excavator operator and you want to take on the challenge of working with GPS, consider undertaking a GPS training program. The skills won’t harm your career – they may well enhance it.

I keep an eye on the heavy equipment employment market watching for trends or indications of what sort of direction demand is going to take. Despite it being winter, a quick search of job vacancies for grader operators listed over 150 current vacancies. This is actually up by about 30 vacancies compared to a month ago. There is one trend that I think is worth noting if you are looking for a career as a grader operator.

The current trend is an increase in the number of vacancies listed that ask for grader operators that are multi-skilled. The predominant requirement is for grader operators with experience operating excavators and bulldozers and to a lessor extent, angledozers. I should point out that I was searching for grader operators and motor grader operators only. A look at other jobs within the heavy equipment field returned the following statistics:

heavy equipment operators – 200
construction equipment operators – 190
bulldozer operator – 61
excavator operator – 54
backhoe operator – 81
loader operator – 200
skid steer loader operator – 46
frontend loader operator- 63

In some cases job vacancies appear in more than one search result because of the way the vacancy notice was written. It is also interesting to note that loader and grader operators are the two most in demand at present. I use several different data sources to investigate job vacancies with these results only coming from the one site, Careers.org. If you search around you will find there are many more vacancies advertised online. What is interesting is that many employers prefer word-of-mouth, local newspapers and local employment specialists to help them find new workers rather than using an online source.

Extrapolate these figures and you may find as many as 300-400 vacancies for grader operators currently available. Employers have always had a liking for heavy equipment operators that are multi-skilled. Before starting any heavy equipment training program, make sure they provide training on a range of equipment. As you can see, you will be far more employable.

There has been a lot of discussion here and throughout the news regarding the economic stimulus packages and the effect it will have on employment. This package is having a huge impact on heavy equipment requirements with motor graders in high demand. The economic stimulus package, however, goes beyond dumping a lot of money on infrastructure. There are few a little programs that can impact on grader operator demand in their own right.

One of these programs is the one-time 50-percent tax depreciation bonus that is available for purchases made before December 31, 2009. Heavy equipment manufacturers have jumped on this and made their own offers. This includes payment free six or twelve month periods. This has led many businesses to either replace or add new equipment to their work force. Those that have added new equipment are the businesses that are expecting to be part of the infrastructure construction program in 2010.

Obviously, if you add new equipment to your line up you are going to need additional operators to utilize the equipment. Motor grader sales are up compared to this time last year and the demand on operators continues to grow. This reinforces our opinion that now is the best time to act if you want a career as a motor grader operator. The winter period is one of the best times to gain hands on experience in these machines in preparation for the expected busy spring construction period.

If you are interested in a career as a heavy equipment operator, particularly as a motor grader operator, then act now and give us a call on 1-800-383-7364 to discuss your motor grader training options. It can be tempting to say – ‘I’ll wait until after Christmas’. This could be a big mistake. Act now and come the New Year; you will be well placed to commence a career as a motor grader operator.

Building modern roads would be rather difficult without motor graders. One of the reasons we have such good highways is because of the work done by motor graders. They put the finish on the foundations of our roads.

When we drive along a highway, what we see is the finished product. What we don’t see is what is sitting below the road’s surface. In most cases, bulldozers and loaders work together to cut out a rough road. Motor graders then come in and cut that rough road back to a level and smooth base. If road base or other materials need to be added, it is the grader that levels this out, once again to a smooth surface.

I said that motor graders provide a level surface. This is not quite right. All roads have a slight slope to them. This slope is very precise since it is designed to help cars stay on the road yet encourage water to quickly run off the road. Motor graders use laser technology to get that precise slope in the road’s foundation.

Motor grader operators are amongst the elite when it comes to heavy equipment operations. The position is well paid when compared to other operations, the work more precise and hence more challenging, and they are a part of a well oiled team that steadily builds our highways.

Becoming a motor grader operator is not that difficult. Complete a heavy equipment operator training course that includes motor grader skills then hit the workplace to put your new skills into practice. Before you know it, you will be one of the elite operators on a construction team – leading the way to providing us with first class roads to drive on.