When you sign on with the experts at Associated Training Services you’re sure to get the best in heavy equipment training whether tractors or loaders are what you want. Of course these are difficult times and the professionals at ATS know that, so they’re always ready to go the extra miles to help their clients get the best service possible from what they offer.

And when you see what they offer you’ll be sure to want to know more. First off, there is an element of ATS that really likes those old fashioned values of hard work and loyalty since the firm was first started by the father in 1959 and then passed on to his sons. And you know right away that a place that has all the experience of being run by the same family all those years will have perfected what they offer to their clients.

And what they offer is first class. The heavy equipment training that you’ll get here involves not only the classroom but hands on experience as well. These are the experts that can take you into the real life situations where you’ll get the kind of real experience that will put you ahead on the job site.

When you need to get the right training on tractors and loaders, you need to get together with the professionals at ATS. These are the experts that have the practical experience and pride to make sure that you get the very best training that ytou need.

The history of the bulldozer is rather simplistic and like most inventions, came from a need. They say that ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ and that is true of the bulldozer.

In early days, the bulldozer was no more than a farm tractor which had a bulldozer style blade attached to the front. This blade had no independent movement. It could not be raised or lowered or tilted although later versions could be adjusted if the operator got out and made the adjustments manually.

The necessity that created the bulldozer was quite wide. Trees needed to be knocked down, tree stumps removed, rocks pushed aside and bumps in the terrain smoothed over. The old farm tractor bulldozer was fairly adept at handling these tasks.

Of course, eventually someone decided that money could be made from building a specific bulldozer, a unit that could have the blade controlled from within the cab, and a machine that had far more grunt that a simple farm tractor.

Today’s bulldozer look nothing like those first machines. When you climb into the cab of a modern bulldozer you could be met with an array of technology ranging from GPS to digital read outs on hydraulic pressure, blade positions and even internal temperature.

Whether you are operating a bulldozer that is fifty years old or a modern marvel, the concepts are still fairly similar. You still need to set a height and an angle of the blade, you still need to know how to attack a job, more importantly, you still need to be trained to get the most out of the machine.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools have been around for a long time, almost as long the bulldozer itself – well perhaps not quite that long. However we have grown with the technology and we are recognized by industry as a training organization that deliver quality training on range of heavy equipment including bulldozers. If you can see yourself behind the controls of a massive dozer, then give us a call to see what training options are available for you.

We decided to follow up yesterday’s article with a few more tractor safety pointers. Yesterday, we focused on ROPS as a means of protecting rollovers and we looked at the importance of surveying the work place before operating a tractor. Today we are going to look at ways that a tractor operator can keep themselves safe from the mechanical workings of their vehicle.

Utah State University’s excellent “The Ten Commandments of Tractor Safety” includes some very useful suggestions in regard to preventing mechanically related accidents. First and foremost:

Dress Properly—Well fitted, belted clothing is a must. Flared pants, shirt tails, scarves and other loose clothing are too easily (and too often) caught in moving parts or controls. Invest in sturdy safety work shoes or boots with non-skid soles and steel toe caps. Protect yourself from the sun in summer and the cold in winter. Heavy work gloves are a plus, as are safety goggles or sun glasses with tempered lenses.

This is something that we have looked at on this blog numerous times in the past. It is great advice not just for tractor drivers but for all operators of heavy equipment. Loose fitting clothing can accidentally engage controls, cause you to slip or in the worst case scenario, become caught in the moving parts of your tractor.

Power Take-Off—An operating power takeoff (FITO) can be the most dangerous part of your tractor, which is why it comes equipped with protective shields. USE THEM AT ALL TIMES. An unguarded shaft, running at 1000 rpm’s, can wrap your clothes around it at the rate of 8 feet per second, and it can’t be stopped. It is many, many times more powerful than you are. It pays to treat it with the greatest respect.

The power take-off has featured in fatal accidents in the past and is sure to feature in more in the future. You need not fear the power take-off as long as it is properly protected. A tractor with an exposed power take-off is an accident waiting to happen.

By following proper tractor safety procedures, you can play a part in reducing the unacceptable level of tractor related fatalities and injuries that occur each year throughout the United States. If you are interested in tractor training or in learning how to operate any other type of heavy equipment, please contact us at any time.

Did you know that the humble tractor is involved in over 800 fatal accidents on United States farms each year? The number of tractor related injuries is even more staggering, 9,000. For a relatively simple piece of heavy equipment to be involved in so many injuries and fatalities is unacceptable. Here at Associated Training Services we take the view that most accidents are avoidable and we firmly believe that if people follow tractor safety guidelines, the number of fatalities and injuries will decrease.

A Utah State University publication titled, “The Ten Commandments of Tractor Safety” is definitely worth reading if you own or operate a tractor. Some gems of wisdom that the document offers include:

ROPS—Most tractor accidents are overturns (mostly sideways). They are usually caused by high speed or inattention. The development and use of Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS) during recent years has saved many lives. They normally will limit the overturn to 90 degrees while at the same time provide a frame of safety for the operator. Seat belts are an integral part of ROPS and should always be used.

While clearance can be an issue in some orchard situations, ROPS is a tractor safety addition that is recommended whenever practical.

Check the Work Area—Know in advance where hidden ditches, large rocks or stumps are located. Be wary of tall grass—it can cover hazards. Be sure the area is clear of livestock and children.

We could not have said it better ourselves. Realistically, how long does it take to perform a quick bit of reconnaissance of the work area? Look for any potential hazards and remember, just because an area was safe a week ago does not mean that it will be safe for your tractor tomorrow. Always take the time to stop and check before you start work.

Here at Associated Training Services we take tractor and heavy equipment safety very seriously; if you have any questions about these or any other topics, please feel free to contact us.

If you are not sure whether you can drive heavy equipment or not; you can get started by learning to drive tractors. Heavy equipment and tractors have a lot in common and tractors provide a great way to boost the specific skills that you will need as a heavy equipment operator. These days, an increasing array of hydraulic attachments can be used to greatly improve the functionality of tractors, allowing them to perform some of the tasks that were previously the domain of purpose built equipment.

Tractors come in all shapes and sizes; in open and closed configurations. If you drive a lot of tractors, you are likely to notice that the handling and maneuverability can vary somewhat, but the controls are quite standard. More importantly for heavy equipment operators, they have quite a bit in common with larger heavy equipment. For this reason, training for tractors is often a first step on the path to a heavy equipment career.

If you are interested in getting your certification for tractors, why not pay us a visit at Associated Training Services. If you check out our website, you will find the locations of all of our different training centers. Whether you are interested in learning to drive tractors or other types of heavy equipment, are professional instructors are ready to teach you the skills that you need.

When it comes to heavy equipment, most people overlook tractors. There is a perception that tractors are primarily agricultural in use. While they have an enormous place in agriculture, you can also see tractors in use in construction and mining. Tractors, of various types, drive a great deal of heavy equipment. Learning to drive tractors can be an extremely good career move if you are looking to get into a heavy equipment job. The principals that you learn driving tractors applies to a great deal of different heavy equipment and gives you a great foundation of skills to build upon.

Learning to Drive Tractors

Most wheeled heavy equipment is based upon tractors of one type or another. If you can drive a tractor, you will be able to drive most wheeled equipment. The larger wheels of tractors give a different ride to that of a car, it takes a little getting used to, but is not very difficult. Note that operating the equipment and driving it are two very different skills. You will still need training in order to operate the heavy equipment, regardless of whether or not you have tractor certification.

Safety considerations with Tractors

There are a few things that you need to take care of when driving tractors of any type. It is quite common to hear of rollover accidents involving tractors. Take care on inclines and watch your speed at all times. You need to avoid wearing loose fitting clothing when operating a tractor, especially an open top tractor. Loose fitting clothing can become trapped in moving parts and has the potential to become fatal.

Training to Drive Tractors with Associated Training Services

Gaining a certification to drive tractors does not take a great deal of time. We offer a range of training programs here at Associated Training Services and if you are interested in learning to drive tractors, we are happy to help. Do take the time to look at some of our other programs as well. We have schools around the country that prepare people just like you for exciting careers in heavy equipment. If you would like to learn more about driving tractors or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact us at Associated Training Services.

Tractors are one of the most straightforward pieces of heavy equipment that you are ever likely to operate, but from time to time things do go wrong. Today we are going to look at a few heavy equipment safety tips that can keep you out of trouble on your tractor.

• Don’t wear loose fitting clothes – This may seem obvious, but for some people it isn’t. Loose fitting clothes and tractors (or any other kind of heavy equipment) do not mix. Long or excessively baggy jackets are an obvious no-no but don’t forget that the humble scarf has the potential to be deadly. Wear a neck-warmer if you need to drive a tractor in the cold.
• Go easy on the speed – Tractors are heavy and that additional weight can make them quite difficult to stop. Most injuries involving tractors involve rollovers, sticking to sensible speeds is one way to reduce this risk.
• Be careful on inclines – Do not try to drive a tractor up or down steep hills. If you are on an incline there is a much greater chance of rollover. Most tractors are not suitable or driving in steep terrain.

Good luck and safe tractor driving. With icy conditions in a lot of parts of the country, you do need to take extra care. If you have any questions relating to tractor safety or heavy equipment safety in general, please feel free to contact us at Associated Training Services.