I know there are some in the construction industry who consider mobile crane operators to be second class operators – real operators drive huge fixed construction cranes. Let me let you in on a couple of secrets – first, there are three times more mobile cranes than fixed cranes; second, mobile crane operators have a more diverse career; and finally, operating a mobile crane takes more skills compared to operating a fixed crane.

One of the benefits enjoyed by mobile crane operators is the flexibility they provide. An urgent job comes in that requires a crane, send in a mobile crane. A fixed crane is just that – they are often assembled on site (at least in part) and can take weeks to move. That makes them fairly useless when it comes to urgent worked required on another site. All cranes have their uses, and that does include fixed cranes, however, that doesn’t make mobile crane operators second class operators.

When it comes to diversity, you just never know what your next job is going to be when operating a mobile crane. Simple lifts on a building site, complex lifts at a factory, or hazardous jobs such as pulling vehicles out of rivers, or righting overturned trucks could on your agenda – and that’s in one day.

If you pay attention while out driving, you’ll notice mobile cranes on the road. Some of these cranes are huge, at least the length of long distance trucks, sometimes even longer. Simply stabilizing these large mobile cranes can become complex. A career as a mobile crane operator starts with good quality mobile crane operator training that includes plenty of in-the-seat training. Get that training right, and you’ll have a long and happy career – you’ll certainly not be a second class operator.

Becoming a crane operator is not everyone’s idea of the ideal job and mobile cranes are probably even less popular as careers. For many people, the life of a crane operator appears to be quite boring. Sure, they are kept busy all day, but they are repeating the same thing time after time. To an extent, they are right. However, ask any crane operator and they will tell you that every lift is different, even if it’s the same type of load.

When it comes to mobile cranes, the work is not quite so boring. In fact, it can be quite interesting. On a building site, a standard crane sits in the one spot and just repeatedly lift materials. For a mobile crane operator, every day is a new day and brings with it a new job. In fact, as an operator, you could have several different jobs in several different locations, all on the one day.

If you are considering a career as a mobile crane operator, don’t use the life of a construction crane operator as a guide. Mobile cranes are out and about, on the road, moving from one job to another, often at a moments notice if there has been an emergency of some kind. Mobile crane operators also require good skills in setting up and standing down a crane very quickly.

Crane operator training is a short three week training program that prepares graduates for assessment for certification as crane operators. Certification is a nationally recognized, and soon to be a nationally required, recognition of the skills and training of crane operators.

ATS Crane Operator Schools has been at the forefront of crane operator training for several decades. During this time we have developed close relationships with employers of mobile crane operators. We know what skills and attributes they look for in new recruits so we design our training program to deliver just that – skilled graduates ready for the workplace.

Heavy equipment is generally associated with construction and whilst most heavy equipment careers involve the construction industry, you could also work in mining, forestry, oil drilling, farming or, in some cases, production. The construction sector is by far the single biggest employer of heavy equipment operators.

The classification of heavy equipment can be difficult with gray areas covering some of the smaller machines used. However, if you accept that heavy equipment is used to move heavy material then you would be close to the mark. A career in heavy equipment then is the operation of machinery that falls into this category. This machinery includes equipment that:

• clears and grades land
• digs trenches
• hoists heavy construction materials
• assists in constructing oil rigs
• applies asphalt and concrete

This is just a small example of the type of work performed. Machinery that could be used in these tasks include:

• Bulldozers
• Road Graders
• Wheel Loaders
• Excavators
• Pile Drivers
• Mobile or Fixed Cranes
• Paving Machines

This list doesn’t include specialist machinery such as forestry equipment, mining equipment or equipment such as the specialist gantry cranes used in ports and harbors. Most heavy equipment operators start their careers operating equipment you see everyday. Bulldozers, excavators, loaders and mobile cranes are the most common entry level positions. Operators can also enter the workforce through road graders although for major construction work like road building, the preference is for experienced operators.

The one key ingredient to a successful career as a heavy equipment operator is the initial training received. Quality training across a broad range of heavy equipment is the best start you get. This provides you with hands on experience and a thorough understanding of workplace safety. With the basic skills under you belt you can move into the workforce and experience a long and lucrative heavy equipment career.