As a heavy machinery operator, there are so many career options and job opportunities that it is often hard to make a choice. While many instantly think of someone working a backhoe or dozer on a construction site when they think of heavy machinery operators, they are far more varied in reality, and one area that offers a lucrative option is that of working in landfills.

This is very different from working on construction sites, or even mining, from the job itself to the machinery used, landfills are unique, but it also offers a great opportunity to build skills and a career. While you will find loaders and dozers at any landfill, the compactor is the machine that stands out at all landfills. If you have ever seen any images of a landfill, it’s normally of a compactor moving across the rubbish.

They are used to distribute and compact rubbish in order to reduce gas emissions, stabilize the material deposited and optimize the capacity of the landfill. While they have a blade at the front similar to a dozer, there are some unique features. The front and rear frames are connected via a flexible joint, to allow the compactor to adapt to what is often extremely uneven ground, and the cab is often isolated from the frame to provide a more comfortable experience and excellent all-around visibility, particularly important on landfill sites. What is most recognizable for compactors though, is the wheels. Spiked metal rims, no rubber, to gain traction and compact the rubbish deposits the machine is driven over. A unique machine that has evolved to be perfect for the job it does.

Operating a different kind of heavy equipment is always a good way to improve skills, but what is life really like in a landfill as an operator? Whether you are in a dozer, loader, or compactor, it is a challenging job, with the environment itself something that many operators struggle with. In summer it’s hot, and the smell can become extremely unpleasant, and in the winter, it leaves the machine exposed to the worst of the weather, with a long day in the cab that can be an issue. For operators, safety is also something to focus on, the environment makes spotters and other workers on foot or in machines incredibly vulnerable, and it takes skill to move the heavy machines around such a site safely.

However, it is not all bad news, and with landfill work not being as attractive as other options, there is high demand for landfill workers right across the country, and that means good pay and reliable, year-round work.  For those that can get used to the environment, landfill work is important, in-demand, and appreciated, and a great place to build a sustainable, lucrative career.

Working as a heavy machine operator is a varied career, every new site or project is different, not just in surroundings, but the machines that you can be operating. When we think about the different machines that are found in today’s industry, there are huge differences in size and ability, but what do they all do?

Skid Steers

Although they come in several sizes, skid steer loaders are some of the smaller machines you regularly see on sites. Extremely popular, these multi-use machines are primarily used for loading material onto trucks, with the bucket able to be lifted high over the operator’s cab. Today there are dozens of attachments available for these machines, including forklifts, planers, augers, and so on, meaning that these small but versatile machines are found on nearly every site you will visit today. For rough or muddy conditions, you will often see tracked versions, the track loader, used in similar ways.

Excavators

Whether a standard, large excavator, or the smaller compact type, excavators, or track-hoes, are perhaps the most recognizable heavy machinery around, and on most sites, a full-size excavator will be one of the largest machines in use. With its long arm and bucket, the tracked vehicle is designed to lift or dig material, and transport it to another point, be that a different area or loaded onto a truck. The tracks provide traction that makes them really suitable for rough terrain, and you will often find these machines fitted with tree shears or specialized grapples for removing trees on logging sites. The smaller, mini machines are very popular for small construction jobs, working in backyard plots or other restricted access areas.

Backhoe

Built to dig, carry and load material, the backhoe is a versatile machine common on almost any site. With a backhoe arm at the rear, essentially a smaller version of the excavator’s arm, and a loader bucket in the front, the backhoe can carry out the tasks of two other machines at once. In size, it is much bigger than the skid steer loaders and can carry larger loads, but smaller than an excavator, although this makes it more maneuverable for precise excavation work. As a do-it-all machine, a backhoe is one you will find on almost any construction site in the country.

Dozers

Tracked for the ultimate versatility in any conditions, dozers are designed to move soil or rock, by pushing it. Size depends on horsepower, some dozers can be extremely large, depending on the amount of material that is needed to be moved and the site itself. Dozers can often be fitted with extra equipment in addition to the blade at the front that is used to push the soil and rocks, with a ripper attachment at the rear used for moving rocks that are embedded into the ground, and often a winch, which can be used for removing stumps or other obstructions.

When a heavy equipment operator can say they know how to run a skid steer loader, they are saying they can do a lot of amazing things in a small machine. The size and versatility of skid steer loaders make them very valuable on a construction or logging site because the loader can operate in a small space but do big, big jobs.

In order to do those big jobs, the operator needs to be able to understand exactly how the skid loader works and manipulate the controls without stalling. Some skid steer loaders have been designed to eliminate this problem but not all have done so. The skid steer loader can turn in its own footprint and maneuver in tight situations if the operator is experienced.

During training at ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School, there will be in-the-seat training in a variety of pieces of equipment and they will be challenging at first. The skid steer loader doesn’t maneuver like the bulldozer, for instance. It also isn’t at all like driving a dump truck. Each type of heavy equipment is slightly different to operate because it has been designed for specific tasks.

Skid steer loaders are able to be outfitted with a variety of tools on the arms:

• various buckets: dirt, utility, multi-purpose, grapple
• various forks: pallet, utility, industrial grapple
• angle blade
• auger
• broom
• cold planer
• hydraulic hammer
• landscape rake & tillers
•  material handling arm
• stump grinder
• trencher
• vibratory compactor

This versatility makes the skid steer loader one of those machines that challenge an operator because every type of tool will take a slightly different technique to perfect. But it also means the operator who can meet the challenge of the skid steer loader is somebody in demand on the work site.

There are different types of loaders. A loader is a handy piece of equipment to have on a construction site.

You’ll often come into contact with these types of loaders on the work site:

• Bucket Loader
• Front end loader
• Front loader
• Payloader
• Skip Loader
• Wheel Loader
• Track Loader
• Swingloader

All loaders are tractors – some have wheels and some have tracks – that have a bucket on one end so the driver can scoop up loose material and move it around. Loaders come in various sizes. Most of them are wheeled, but sometimes a tracked loader comes in handy.

On construction sites where gravel or loose sand needs to be moved, a loader is a useful piece of equipment. But you need a qualified operator to make good use of it.

You can always find employment as a loader if you have a few construction companies in your area. In northern states, many municipalities use loaders to move snow off of streets or parking lots. Business owners or landlords at large apartments or business complexes may use them too.

The most common type of loader is the front-end loader, although skid steer loaders are fairly popular as well. Compared to industrial loaders, however, they’re both quite small.

If you can learn to operate a large loader, such as a front loader like the John Deere 944K or the LeTourneau L-2350, then you should be able to operate smaller loaders just fine. Backhoe loaders not only have a bucket on one end but also a backhoe on the opposite, giving this small tractor an extra measure of mojo for the operator.

Building a new road is a fairly complex job, more so if the ground is covered with vegetation. If you were to take some time to watch a new road being built, you would be surprised at the equipment that is used to undertake the job from start to finish. The heavy equipment used includes:

• Bulldozer – the bulldozer is the first piece of machinery used in most construction work. The bulldozer’s job is to clear the land to be built on. When it comes to new roads, the bulldozer clears a strip of all vegetation and rocks and begins the levelling process.
• Loaders – loaders are used throughout the project to move earth and rocks. They are predominantly used initially to load excess earth into dump trucks for removal.
• Dump Trucks – whilst not really heavy equipment, dump trucks play an integral role as they are used to cart waste away and to cart in loads of road base used to build up the new road.
• Graders – graders perform the finishing work, ensuring the new road is smooth and has the right gradient to allow for water run-off.

Other equoipment used include water trucks that damp down the road base, rollers that are used to compress the road base, and specialist heavy equipment that lays the sealant to the prepared base. Like most modern production lines, each part plays their role to a timetable, ensuring a smooth completion of the job.

With new roads being constantly built around the nation, there is always plenty of work for those who operate heavy equipment. If you’re looking for a career as a heavy equipment operator, building new roads is rewarding in many ways, including financial and job satisfaction. You can become a part of one of these teams with as little as three weeks heavy equipment operator training.

Every sector of the market goes through a process of peaks and troughs. Sometimes the economy is booming and there is a high demand for workers. At other times, as we have seen in the recent past, there is a slump in the economy and work can be hard to find. Of course, there are often times when one sector of the market appears to buck the trend with demand for workers remaining high despite a market slump. Unfortunately, there are many workers who are not in a position to protect themselves from market slumps – they end up on merry-go-round swinging from plenty of work to no work at all. Heavy equipment operators are not immune from these market swings, although it is interesting to note that demand has remained high over the last couple of years.

Heavy equipment operators can protect themselves from these market (and sometimes seasonal) swings. The easiest way is to simply diversify your talents. Rather than being a master of one type of equipment with a little bit of knowledge of others, become a master of as many different types of equipment as possible. It is also advisable to add truck driving skills (and a commercial drivers license) to your skills list. Other equipment operating skills that could be worth considering include crane operations (particularly mobile cranes) and fork lift trucks.

No sector of the economy is ever totally immune to peaks and troughs. Heavy equipment operator careers can be frustrating at times for those who do specialize in just one type of equipment. The market is fickle and you could find that this month, bulldozers are in high demand, yet next month, no one wants to know a bulldozer operator – the need is on grader operators, or loader operators.

For those just starting out in this industry, start to protect your future from day one of your heavy equipment operator training. If it’s at all possible, gain some knowledge and experience on a range of heavy equipment. When you enter the workplace, aim for a position with an employer that uses a wide range of heavy equipment, and let it be known you want to gain experience on as many different types of equipment as possible. Employers will show a preference for you in the future since you can be moved from equipment to equipment as needed. Protect your heavy equipment from market slumps by diversifying your skills – you’ll hardly ever be out of work then.

Mention heavy equipment and most people think of a bulldozer. That probably relates back to most people’s childhood where a bulldozer was an essential toy in every sandbox. In the adult world, bulldozers are still one of the most popular choices when it comes to heavy equipment careers.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, depending on your mind set, many employers see life differently. Rather than employing a bulldozer operator, their preference is to employ a heavy equipment operator – in other words, an operate who is skilled across a range of heavy equipment. That’s not to say you can’t spend your whole working life as a bulldozer operator. Having those extra skills does come in handy when times are quiet.

In truth, there is a certain sameness coming into heavy equipment. The levers, buttons and pedals are very similar across most heavy equipment. Bulldozers run on tracks, but then, so too do many other types of heavy equipment. Bulldozers have a range of attachments that can be added to the rear – so too do excavators and backhoes. Most heavy equipment machinery now utilizes modern technology such as onboard computing, GPS and laser technology.

The big difference between each type of machinery is the type of work done. Bulldozers typically push dirt around. Excavators excavate, loaders load and graders grade. Modern operators learn how to perform each job, how their heavy equipment interacts in various environments and with different soil types.

Bulldozers are still the number one choice for many new operators to the industry. However, if they have attended a good heavy equipment operator training school, then they will have the range of skills that many employers are now looking for.

One of the busiest machines on a construction site is often the backhoe. Being so versatile, they can perform any number of jobs, and that makes them valuable to any business. The more experience a backhoe operator has on a variety of jobs, the more valued that operator becomes.

Backhoes are unique in the heavy equipment field. They can perform a lot of the work that an excavator does, and they can perform a lot of the work that a loader does. With the right attachments, a backhoe can even perform light bulldozing work. To add to their value, backhoes can be quite nimble, working in smaller areas than their larger counterparts.

To work as a backhoe operator, you need the skills that encompass both an excavator and a loader. When looking at training options, the ideal training program will give a student access to all three pieces of equipment along with some time on alternates like a bulldozer and grader. This gives the operator a broad exposure to heavy equipment whilst allowing them to concentrate on the skills requires to operate a backhoe.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools deliver training across a range of machinery including:

Backhoes
Wheel Loaders
Scrapers
Excavators
Bulldozers
Road Graders

If you’re interested in a career as a heavy equipment operator, then contact us for more information on available training programs. You’ll find more information on our training programs including how to apply on our main website. Training programs start on a regular basis with students graduation ready for employment in as little as three weeks. Our career services department is there to help graduates find their first job in the heavy equipment industry – that’s everything a person requires to launch themselves into a new career in this industry. If the backhoe isn’t quite what you’re looking for, then you can try your hand at bulldozers, graders or anyone of a dozen other pieces of heavy equipment.

There used to be a saying when I was younger – “a jack of all trades yet a master of none.” It was a phrase that pointed to a person who could do a lot of work across a variety of skills, yet they didn’t have a piece of paper to say they were qualified in any trade. When it comes to heavy equipment, backhoes are the jack (or Jill) of all trades – except you can say they were a master of all as well.

Backhoes bring together the power of an excavator, and that includes many of the attachments that excavators use, and the strength of a front end loader. Backhoes actually remind me a little of a scorpion – a mouth at the front and stinging tail at the back. In fact, that’s where they get their names from. Back hoe meaning the excavator bucket is at the back of the vehicle.

As an operator, there are a number of differences between a backhoe and other heavy equipment. To begin with, large backhoes are articulated – that is, they are joined in the middle with a pivoting point. Reversing a backhoe is a little like reversing a trailer. Good backhoe operators are in high demand because of the versatility that backhoes bring to a work site. They can be used to dig trenches, and then, using the loader scoop, fill the trench in again once a job has been completed. They can also be used to quickly remove any excess dirt or building material.

Learning to operate a backhoe is not difficult; in fact, I’d suggest you also learn how to operate an excavator and loader at the same time. This will ensure you have several skills you can rely on when working for an employer. You really will be a Jack (or Jill) of all trades then – and master of them as well.

If you are looking for a career in heavy equipment that offers real variety, then a backhoe could be the perfect choice. Backhoes don’t just offer variety, they depend on operators that are multi-skilled in many different types of work. Whilst the most common operations will be working as a loader or ‘excavator’, backhoes are frequently called on to perform other activities using a variety of different attachments.

To begin with, backhoe operators need to be competent using their equipment to dig trenches and similar excavations. They will also need to be competent using a backhoe to move material around a work area and to load material onto trucks. Over time an operator will learn how to use various attachments for tasks such as breaking up dirt or concrete blocks, and perhaps even the demolition of buildings.

Backhoe operators are well served learning to operate three different machines; a loader, an excavator, and the backhoe itself. The backhoe brings together the best of both a loader and excavator, however, being a combined unit, the backhoe can be a little trickier. At ATS Heavy Equipment Training Schools, we provide students with hands on training on a variety of machinery including loaders, excavators and backhoes. Upon completion of their training, heavy equipment operator graduates are well prepared for entry level employment operating their chosen piece of machinery.

Heavy equipment careers are lucrative and the expectation in years to come is for a shortage of skilled operators. This is due to a workforce that is aging and retiring, and the annual retirement rate is greater than the number of new recruits coming into the industry. Act now and you’ll be in high demand in years to come as you gain valuable experience. Backhoe operators will certainly be in high demand, more so because of their versatility.