Amounting to what the company considers more capable wheel loaders its customers can simply “do more with,” John Deere has revamped its three Utility Class wheel loaders with power and operator comfort updates.

The new 444K, 524K, and 544K are each powered by Deere PowerTech Tier 4 Final engines producing 124 horsepower, 141 hp and 163 hp on the respective models. Deere says the engine provides ample torque for maintaining good boom and bucket speed in and out of a pile for heaped loads, even in wet or hard-packed material.

The new loaders are outfitted with excavator-style, load-sensing hydraulics and Deere’s PowerShift torque-converter transmission which constantly monitors speed and load conditions. Plus, the new top-of-the-line 544K features a standard five-speed transmission with lockup torque converter which boosts acceleration reduces cycle times and optimizes power and fuel efficiency during transport, roading, and ramp climbing in gears 2 through 5.

Inside the cab operators will find a new color monitor where diagnostic and maintenance info is displayed along with a new high-back, air-ride seat. The cab also features reduced engine noise, a keyless start and one of two radio options: an AM/FM/WB with auxiliary port or an AM/FM/WB and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio with auxiliary port, USB and Bluetooth connectivity. The loaders can be outfitted with Deere’s Ultimate Uptime telematics service which provides pre-delivery and follow-up inspections, three years of JDLink telematics, machine health prognostics, and remote diagnostics.

One of the things you’ll learn in a good heavy equipment school are the different types of loaders you’ll find on the job. And you’ll learn how to operate them too.

You’ll learn the difference between a bucket loader and a payloader, for instance. Important questions like “Why do some loaders have wheels and others have tracks” will be answered. Plus, you’ll learn why some loaders have scoops and some have shovels. And you’ll learn how to use these tools in a safe, effective manner on the work site.

Front end loaders, skid loaders, swing loaders … the list goes on. Why do we have them and what do they do?

When you enroll in the ATS Heavy Equipment School, you’ll learn the answers to all of these questions and more. More importantly, when you graduate, you’ll be well qualified to operate any type of loader on the job site, and you’ll be employable in your state, ready for hire. ATS will even help you get your first job.

One of the things that students say they like about our training is that they get plenty of practical field training. We don’t just sit you in a classroom and lecture you.

Don’t get me wrong. You’ll get your classroom lectures too, but that’s not where you learn to operate heavy machinery. You learn by doing, in the ATS Heavy Equipment School you’ll get plenty of opportunities to ‘do’. That includes all types of loaders.

Loaders are one of the more common types of heavy equipment found on construction sites. They are similar to a tractor with the bucket on the front with the engine at the back as a counter weight. Unlike excavators, most loaders are wheeled rather than tracked. There is more than one type of loader and some are capable of doing multiple jobs depending on the attachments used.

The loader described is often referred to as a front end loader. These are also known as bucket loaders or scoop loaders because they have a wide square bucket that tilts to capture the dirt or to dig out an area. The bucket is a removable attachment so you can also use it as a forklift or attach a clam shell type of bucket that opens to grab whatever you are working on in its jaws. Loaders of this type are also used for snow removal, dirt removal, farming, and on construction sites.

Other loaders include the little cousin of the front end loader, the skid loader. These come with wheels or tracks and are much smaller loader than front end loaders. One of the major differences between a front end loader and a skid loader is the positioning of the lift arms. On the skid loader they are behind the driver’s shoulders rather than forward of the cab.

Backhoe loader or more commonly referred to as simply backhoes combine two pieces of equipment into one. They have the traditional loader with the front end bucket. However, the rear of the vehicle has a hydraulic arm to which a bucket or ‘hoe’ is attached. The operators seat swivels so the operate can see what he or she is doing when operating the backhoe portion. When using the backhoe there are hydraulic stabilizers the operator can place on the ground in order to lift it off the ground and provide added traction and balance.

To operate any of these pieces of heavy equipment requires training. Basic training on a front end loader will provide most of the skills required to operate all variations. Some extra training may be required to operate a backhoe. ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools can provide all the training required to successfully heavy equipment like those described.

Once the excavator, backhoe or trench-digger have completed their task, it is time to call in the specialized pipe laying machines. These are relatively easy to operate when it comes to controls. Most units are comprised of a swing control and raising and lowering controls. Of course, like most heavy equipment, they have a drive control for movement.

Pipe laying machines do just that. They pick up pipes are lower them into the trench as precisely as possible. This process means that long lengths of pipe can be lowered and connected fairly quickly. They can be used for hard piping such as the cement piping used for sewerage, stormwater, or mains water. They can also be used to lay softer pipes used for telecommunications such as fiber optics.

Whilst the operation of a pipe layer is fairly straight forward. Many businesses in this field prefer operators that have a history of heavy equipment operation such as a bulldozer, backhoe or excavator. There is certainly a requirement to have the safety aspects of this training before starting work. Training for a pipe layer builds on the skills already acquired and can be done on the job.

To gain skills as a heavy equipment operator, you need training from a reliable accredited training organization such as ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools. At ATS you can be trained in the use of a variety of machines including bulldozers, graders, excavators and front end loaders. Check out the site for details on free online training, training dates and employment assistance.

When undertaking a heavy equipment training program from a qualified and experienced trainer, you learn how to operate that equipment according to manufacturers instructions. What you also pick up are handy little hints and tips along the way that the instructor has learned from personal experience. Take the front end loader, or for that matter, the backhoe loader.

Both of these machines have a loader which is, effectively, a scoop. Although referred to as a scoop, it should never be used as a scoop. Take these handy little operating tips:

Leave the bucket flat – when using the front loader, many operators angle the bucket forward and attack the target in a scooping action. This can cause you to lose traction and possibly the load. It is also more stressful on the drive train. It’s better to keep the bucket flat on the ground as you approach the pile when loading, then lift and skim the pile.

Keep it clean – wipe your machine down daily, clean the windows and pick up any debris in the cab. By keeping the exterior clean, you can easily spot any fluid leaks before they get worse and result in downtime. Debris in the cab can get lodged in the controls and cause a problem.

Two simple tips. Most people don’t think about cleaning their equipment, however, if you don’t, you never know what damage it could create.

ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools only employ qualified and experienced people to deliver the training. They can train you as to how to operate any heavy equipment – they can also pass on tips gained from their experience on a the machine. All you need to do is pick their brains.