In today’s modern world of electronics, two way radios and other communication devices, the crane operator still relies on hand signals, or, in some countries, an old fashion pea-whistle. Even if you use a two way radio for communication, crane operators still need a thorough understanding of hand signals since there are situations where the radio cannot be used. Sites that use explosives often ban their use as they could set of detonators.

The problem with hand signals is getting the perspective right. Either you are high up looking down on the work; you could be on the ground taking direction from someone up higher; or the signaler may be on the same level as you. You need to get your interpretation right to follow directions.

Some basic hand signals include:

• Stop – world wide hand signal – open hand with the palm faced towards the operator
• Up – Arm in the air with the finger pointed – the hand and wrist make a circular motion. The slower the motion, the slower the speed of the lift.
• Down – Down is general the opposite of up, however some areas use a more specific motion where the arm is extended out from the body with the open palm facing down – the arm and palm make gentle backward and forward motions – again the speed of the motion indicates the lowering speed.
• Swing – Arm extended with the finger pointing in the direction of the swing.

Of course, some hand signals get trickier. Say you wanted to raise the boom while lowering the load. For this the signaler would extend the arm with the thumb pointing up – this indicates raising the boom. At the same time the fingers would be flexed in and out to indicate the lowering of the load.

As a crane operator, you can often build up a good working rapport with your signaler. On other occasions you may be working with some one you have never met before. This is why standard hand signals need to be learned. The crane operator also needs to be able to respond instantly for each hand signal, particularly the stop signal.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools deliver nationally accredited training for crane operators. Verbal and non-verbal (including hand signals) training is included. If you have a desire to work as a crane operator then check out the details of the crane operator training program online.

Crane operations are not always as easy as one may think. Iy you check out these cranes from a London construction site, you will see what I mean. The certainly get a bit of a wobble going when it gets windy.

It is very rare for anyone to come to any grief because of the high winds. However you do need a lot of experience and skills to handle a load when it’s windy. If it gets too windy they down tools and wait for it to subside a little.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools may not be able to get you a job working at these heights, at least not immediately, but if you are able to work at heights with little discomfort then you may want to aspire to the position of high rise crane operator.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools has been renown for turning out well trained students ready to enter the work place. The problem for many students is knowing where to look and who to ask. There are many options open to students and one of those is the-job-site.com.

This site is dedicated to heavy equipment operators who are looking for employment. As a job seeker you can log in and check to see what vacancies are available. Employers can also log in to see who has lodged their resume and are looking for work.

The-Job-Site.com is the connection between truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, and carpenters and employment in those occupations. We connect job seekers with jobs and employers with employees.

It is a simple to use straight forward type site. Register your login and password to access the site and all its features. Because of the reputation earned through quality training, employers often come to us looking for skilled graduates.

A lot of people don’t realize that the military are big users of heavy equipment. They use a wide variety of equipment from the small backhoes to the large bulldozers. They also use the large flatbed trucks to transport the equipment around.

The military do train their own operators, however if you are already trained then they will welcome you with open arms, so long as you meet their other requirements. You may ask why the military would use heavy equipment?

There is a pretty straightforward answer to that question. The military build bridges, they build roads and they demolish buildings that have been used by the enemy.

If you wish to join the military and become a heavy equipment operator, think about getting your training done first. ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools can provide you with all the training you need to become an effective operator – even in the military.

A wheel loader is nothing more than a front end loader with wheels rather than tracks. As with all front end loaders, wheel loader can dig and as well load material.

Wheel loaders are classified according to their bucket sizes and operational weights. Don’t be fooled into thinking they are all small. Many are quite large and very powerful.

The Wheel loaders are often engaged in construction works, ranging from road work, plant loading, shipping and mine face excavation.

The requirements to operate a wheel loader are no different to those required to operate a front end loader. Experience is always a plus, however, you have to get a start somewhere which means first acquiring the training that will give you the skills.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools can provide the appropriate to get you started as wheel loader operator. Our training is accredited an recognized by hundreds of employers as providing highly skilled operators ready to start work.

Have you ever noticed those signs? They are still popping up around the country and there is one simple reason – we are still building and that means we need more heavy equipment operators.

Civil engineering companies always have a need for skilled heavy equipment operators. As with most workplaces, the more experience you have the more employable you are. However new operators can always find a place if they have had the right training.

Employers are becoming more discerning. Learning to operate heavy equipment from your father will no longer cut it. Employers are looking for heavy equipment operators that have been trained by professional trainers. Operators don’t just need the skills to operate the equipment, they also need to know the safety requirements that legislators have put in place.

Heavy equipment training should now be undertaken through accredited training providers such as ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools. Employers recognize the training provided by these establishments and often give preference to these graduates.

The industry needs new operators. If that is you – make sure you get the best training first to ensure your new career is successful.

Humans are so competitive. It doesn’t really matter what sort of work you do, there is always going to be some sort of competition and heavy equipment operators are no different. They have their own competitions to try and prove who is the best operator.

Most of the heavy equipment competitions involve precision. If your using a backhoe, how quickly can you dig a trench that is exactly four feet deep, four feet wide and twenty foot long – and as straight as possible? What about a front end loader, how quickly can you move a load of material from point A to point B leaving point A nice and clean the pile at point B neatly shaped. I could go on but I think you get the idea.

Precision is the key, however as heavy equipment operators become more proficient, speed has been added to the mix. These competitions have becomes very competitive and bring many spectators from outside the industry – why? It is actually a lot of fun watching these large machines go head to head in a race.

Believe it or not, the prizes for some of these competitions can be huge. There is a competition in the new year where first prize is a brand new excavator – now these machines are not cheap.

Of course, to compete at that level you need plenty of experience and before you can get that experience you need training. Get the best heavy equipment training to prepare you for work from the training provider that has all the experience and credentials – ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools. You may not win one of these competitions tomorrow – but we can get you started.

A mobile crane, by its very name, can normally be driven to the work site. It doesn’t need any special transport vehicles and if generally treated pretty much like a truck. However, as an operator/driver, there are some tasks that need to be undertaken prior to driving on the open road.

The open highway of course is open to all vehicles that meet requirements for registration. For this reason, crane operators need to ensure that all other vehicles and property are safe from the crane. Comedy movies may make fun at a swinging boom that knocks over pedestrians, shatters windows and causes all sorts of damage, however, in reality a driver that allowed that to happen would most likely wind up behind bars.

Cranes often have special legs to maintain stability while lifting big weights. The crane operator needs to ensure that these are retracted and locked away until required. Likewise, the crane arms need to be lowered and locked into place to prevent any unwanted movement.

Most cranes have a manual which describes how the cranes various components are locked down prior to moving to a new site. The operator needs to ensure there are no loose components that may fly off while traveling down the highway.

Being a crane operator is an interesting job with every load lifted being different and bringing it’s own challenges. ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools can provide comprehensive training in crane operations to give you a head start as a safe crane operator.

The construction industry has a huge appetite for heavy equipment operators, so much so it is fairly easy for a school leaver to go from classroom one day to operator the next. Of course, a little training is first required, but that is really a case of replacing one classroom with another.

Heavy equipment does not discriminate when it comes to age. There are obviously some legal requirements, but that is true with car licenses as well. What is required, rather than age, is competence. Either you can operate say a bulldozer, or you cannot. If cant operate the equipment, no one will want you on their construction site as a heavy equipment operator.

The key is the training you receive. Not all training is equal and some training organizations have excellent records whilst others are recognized for not delivering to an acceptable standard. Find the right training organization and their name alone will often be good enough to secure you a job.

Training providers like ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools work hard to build a reputation for supplying operators to the heavy equipment industry that are of a high standard. You can see this by the number of companies that are ready to employ graduates before they have even completed their training.

Find a training organization that has this quality reputation and, no matter how old you, if you meet the legal operating conditions you can almost be assured of smooth transition from school to the seat of a piece of heavy equipment.

The economy may be a little tight at present but there is still a demand for skilled heavy equipment operators. It can be a catch 22 – tight economy means little in the way of spare cash yet with the demand for operators high, a good job would provide that extra cash.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools has the solution for tight budgets. We offer several tuition financing options, each designed to make it easy and affordable to enroll in any of our training programs. You can apply for financing by filling out our online application.

You may qualify for state or federal grants to help them cover training costs. Students receiving unemployment benefits may be eligible to receive these benefits while in training. There are three other financing options available to prospective students.

The first loan option, each school in the network has relationships with national lending institutions which offer loans to students. The School can recommend a lender if you need help.

With the second loan option, you can approach USA Finance which may make a loan to an individual for tuition and in-school housing. The student makes a down payment upon starting class and the balance of tuition and housing can be financed. The down payment amount is determined after the USA Finance Credit Application is received and reviewed.

For the third loan option there are many banks that offer “Career Loans” to their customers. Students should talk with their local bank about a “Career Education” loan.