Posted: 8/1/2012 9:37:25 AM EDT
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I have been out of the Marine Corps for a year now, and just recently started hitting the job market again really hard. Last night I saw a job posted on Craigslist for a heavy equipment operator. I grew up on a farm, and have had the opportunity to run some HE in the past. I showed up and expected to fill out an application, hand in my resume, and wait for a phone call. Nope. The guy sends me out to the mine/pit where he says I can take an operators test. Let the anxiety begin.
Like I said, I have run some equipment in the past, but nothing this size! It was completely unexpected but I forged ahead trying to project confidence. They wanted me to take a track-hoe and dig out from one spot, dumping it into this rock/dirt/boulder separator on the opposite side. I had some difficulty starting the equipment since it was somewhat unfamiliar, but then I got to digging. I kept working, feeling a bit smoother as I went along and trying not to smack into the separator thing with the bucket. I figure that would have been an immediate no-go for the position. I didn't do as good a job as a seasoned operator but don't think I was too terrible. They wanted me to test on the wheel loader but they were super busy, but he did say I did ok on the excavator. I hope that he was sincere and that I have a shot at this job! I can get better, I just need the opportunity. So arfcom HE operators, do you think he was sincere? He said he would call me tomorrow, and I left my contact info. I know very little about a gravel pit but I figure no one does when they start out. Anything I should know about operating a loader that is big enough to fill a dump truck in something like two scoops? That is the only part of the job that makes me nervous, I don't want to bump the truck and that is a seriously big loader! It makes the kill dozer look like a toy! |
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Being efficient and smooth on the equipment only comes with time behind the levers. Looks like the best thing you got going for you is the willingness to learn and, hopefully, work ethic.
The thing that is working against you, unfortunately, is the job market. My folks own an excavating company and whdnever they make a job listing, they get flooded with replies from seasoned operators. Hopefully they take a chance on you and you make the most of it. Best of luck and let us know what happens. |
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Most quarry and mining loaders have a detent for the bucket lift and bucket dump return circuits. Use them so you can turn into the truck while lifting(closest to you on the right, pull all the way back) and to return the bucket to level as you bring the arms down(on the right of the right of the right side, pull all the way back)
Hope this helps, good luck! Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
| Thanks for the well wishes! I really could use the job since I exhausted my savings while playing Mr. Mom for so long. Absolutely willing to learn, and I pick that sort of thing up quickly, just need the opportunity to prove myself. My fear is that they do get a ton of seasoned operators and decide to not give me a shot. All I can do at this point is hope I did well enough to satisfy them and made a positive impression. I did walk through mud and water wearing kahki pants and some low top leather shoes with no real regard to getting messy. I also hope he noticed that I was willing to get dirty even in decent clothes because I now have to do some cleaning! |
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Did you pull proper PMCS before starting? The FIRST thing is to take care of the equipment, if you show care here and like you stated, don't break the equipment, you will be hired. Also, never slip tires. Rubber is expensive. Same with tracks on dozers. With experience comes speed. Also, don't expect brakes to stop the loader when approaching the truck..so don't charge into it  . You probably have 4 tons of load in the bucket and it is up high. Ease on the brakes. |
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Have to agree with what's been posted earlier. Attitude, taking care of equipment, not beating the shit out of the equipment.
Let them know you know how a grease gun works, how expensive equipment is and how it should be maintained and operated. Any jackass can get in a piece of equipment without looking it over, hitting the zerk fittings with the grease gun, fire it up, and start beating the shit out of it before it even has oil pressure. Somehow convey to them you will take care of their equipment the way a Mother takes care of her newborn. Good luck. vmax84 |
| Go to http://www.usajobs.gov and build a resume. Through that website you can search for government jobs all over the country including military bases. You will be given veterans preference when you apply, and there are many jobs that deal with heavy equipment operating. I work as a rigger/longshoreman at a shipyard. It's pretty hard to beat the benefits and job security of federal employment. |
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Go to http://www.usajobs.gov and build a resume. Through that website you can search for government jobs all over the country including military bases. You will be given veterans preference when you apply, and there are many jobs that deal with heavy equipment operating. I work as a rigger/longshoreman at a shipyard. It's pretty hard to beat the benefits and job security of federal employment. I did that several months ago, my account was placed in the inactive pile. I hope it doesn't expect me to redo everything! Unfortunately the jobs are quite limited up here in central NY. I have been applying for everything that comes along lately and have only had luck with this walk-in since beginning the process. Another walk-in was a fail because they told me to go to their website and basically shut the door. I have another interview for Monday with Aramark, unfortunately I forgot what I applied for since it was something like year ago! I think it was for the route uniform thing, but again, it was probably last year when I applied. Someone else told me they only hire when they are ready to fire a person. We shall see. I know I would rather be operating equipment than some uniform sales position, but I will take whatever opens up first just to get some forward momentum. I can't wait on what might never materialize! Random question, but is there a school that will give you certs/cred/exp in the HE operator field? If you wanna be a truck driver there are schools, same goes for most anything, but I don't recall ever seeing a school to operate loaders and such. |
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Go to http://www.usajobs.gov and build a resume. Through that website you can search for government jobs all over the country including military bases. You will be given veterans preference when you apply, and there are many jobs that deal with heavy equipment operating. I work as a rigger/longshoreman at a shipyard. It's pretty hard to beat the benefits and job security of federal employment. I did that several months ago, my account was placed in the inactive pile. I hope it doesn't expect me to redo everything! Unfortunately the jobs are quite limited up here in central NY. I have been applying for everything that comes along lately and have only had luck with this walk-in since beginning the process. Another walk-in was a fail because they told me to go to their website and basically shut the door. I have another interview for Monday with Aramark, unfortunately I forgot what I applied for since it was something like year ago! I think it was for the route uniform thing, but again, it was probably last year when I applied. Someone else told me they only hire when they are ready to fire a person. We shall see. I know I would rather be operating equipment than some uniform sales position, but I will take whatever opens up first just to get some forward momentum. I can't wait on what might never materialize! Random question, but is there a school that will give you certs/cred/exp in the HE operator field? If you wanna be a truck driver there are schools, same goes for most anything, but I don't recall ever seeing a school to operate loaders and such. You usually have to continuously update and re-apply for jobs otherwise your resume will move to the bottom and become inactive. Your resume you built should still be on there. The government jobs vary depending on location. Some places have enough employees that between retirements and firings they are almost continuously hiring. Others you have to wait for someone to leave before they open a position. If you are trying to stay in NY it might be a little more difficult. If you're willing to relocate, there are shipyards at Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Norfolk, Virginia. They pretty regularly hire, and they give you all the training you will ever need for whatever field they hire you for. There are also shipyards on the West coast that are always hiring. Hit me up with a message if you want any info on the shipyards. |
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Go to http://www.usajobs.gov and build a resume. Through that website you can search for government jobs all over the country including military bases. You will be given veterans preference when you apply, and there are many jobs that deal with heavy equipment operating. I work as a rigger/longshoreman at a shipyard. It's pretty hard to beat the benefits and job security of federal employment. I did that several months ago, my account was placed in the inactive pile. I hope it doesn't expect me to redo everything! Unfortunately the jobs are quite limited up here in central NY. I have been applying for everything that comes along lately and have only had luck with this walk-in since beginning the process. Another walk-in was a fail because they told me to go to their website and basically shut the door. I have another interview for Monday with Aramark, unfortunately I forgot what I applied for since it was something like year ago! I think it was for the route uniform thing, but again, it was probably last year when I applied. Someone else told me they only hire when they are ready to fire a person. We shall see. I know I would rather be operating equipment than some uniform sales position, but I will take whatever opens up first just to get some forward momentum. I can't wait on what might never materialize! Random question, but is there a school that will give you certs/cred/exp in the HE operator field? If you wanna be a truck driver there are schools, same goes for most anything, but I don't recall ever seeing a school to operate loaders and such. You usually have to continuously update and re-apply for jobs otherwise your resume will move to the bottom and become inactive. Your resume you built should still be on there. The government jobs vary depending on location. Some places have enough employees that between retirements and firings they are almost continuously hiring. Others you have to wait for someone to leave before they open a position. If you are trying to stay in NY it might be a little more difficult. If you're willing to relocate, there are shipyards at Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Norfolk, Virginia. They pretty regularly hire, and they give you all the training you will ever need for whatever field they hire you for. There are also shipyards on the West coast that are always hiring. Hit me up with a message if you want any info on the shipyards. I really wish I could get the better half to move out of this state. I have been forced to pass on about four good job opportunities back down south, two in TN and two in NC, because she is dead set against leaving here. Her family is here and she has the good job at this point. If I was willing to leave, to end my relationship, then my work life would be so much easier. Not to mention being able to carry again, or to even own a pistol again. Its a personal struggle to remain here. Love is important, but honestly it does get strained at a certain point in your life. At times I do feel close to yanking that handle as GD is so fond of saying, but I also know things can get better. Today is evidence of that! Shipyards would be my Kryptonite; getting me to a free state, near the ocean, and gainfully employed again! |
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Go to http://www.usajobs.gov and build a resume. Through that website you can search for government jobs all over the country including military bases. You will be given veterans preference when you apply, and there are many jobs that deal with heavy equipment operating. I work as a rigger/longshoreman at a shipyard. It's pretty hard to beat the benefits and job security of federal employment. I did that several months ago, my account was placed in the inactive pile. I hope it doesn't expect me to redo everything! Unfortunately the jobs are quite limited up here in central NY. I have been applying for everything that comes along lately and have only had luck with this walk-in since beginning the process. Another walk-in was a fail because they told me to go to their website and basically shut the door. I have another interview for Monday with Aramark, unfortunately I forgot what I applied for since it was something like year ago! I think it was for the route uniform thing, but again, it was probably last year when I applied. Someone else told me they only hire when they are ready to fire a person. We shall see. I know I would rather be operating equipment than some uniform sales position, but I will take whatever opens up first just to get some forward momentum. I can't wait on what might never materialize! Random question, but is there a school that will give you certs/cred/exp in the HE operator field? If you wanna be a truck driver there are schools, same goes for most anything, but I don't recall ever seeing a school to operate loaders and such. You usually have to continuously update and re-apply for jobs otherwise your resume will move to the bottom and become inactive. Your resume you built should still be on there. The government jobs vary depending on location. Some places have enough employees that between retirements and firings they are almost continuously hiring. Others you have to wait for someone to leave before they open a position. If you are trying to stay in NY it might be a little more difficult. If you're willing to relocate, there are shipyards at Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Norfolk, Virginia. They pretty regularly hire, and they give you all the training you will ever need for whatever field they hire you for. There are also shipyards on the West coast that are always hiring. Hit me up with a message if you want any info on the shipyards. I really wish I could get the better half to move out of this state. I have been forced to pass on about four good job opportunities back down south, two in TN and two in NC, because she is dead set against leaving here. Her family is here and she has the good job at this point. If I was willing to leave, to end my relationship, then my work life would be so much easier. Not to mention being able to carry again, or to even own a pistol again. Its a personal struggle to remain here. Love is important, but honestly it does get strained at a certain point in your life. At times I do feel close to yanking that handle as GD is so fond of saying, but I also know things can get better. Today is evidence of that! Shipyards would be my Kryptonite; getting me to a free state, near the ocean, and gainfully employed again! I know what you're saying there. My wife was born and raised in the area we live in, and has no intentions of leaving any time in the near future. We've had offers from my family in Costa Rica to let us move down there and essentially take over the family lodge for income, but she doesn't want to leave her family here. I grew up everywhere, so for me relocating isn't that big of a deal. The shipyards are a lot of fun. You're right on the water every day, you work around a lot of ex-military types, and your military time counts towards your time served as a federal employee. WA state especially is awesome, the pay is much higher than all the other shipyards, the scenery is amazing, and the people are friendly. With the exception of SBR's, gun laws are fairly lax. |
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Go to http://www.usajobs.gov and build a resume. Through that website you can search for government jobs all over the country including military bases. You will be given veterans preference when you apply, and there are many jobs that deal with heavy equipment operating. I work as a rigger/longshoreman at a shipyard. It's pretty hard to beat the benefits and job security of federal employment. I did that several months ago, my account was placed in the inactive pile. I hope it doesn't expect me to redo everything! Unfortunately the jobs are quite limited up here in central NY. I have been applying for everything that comes along lately and have only had luck with this walk-in since beginning the process. Another walk-in was a fail because they told me to go to their website and basically shut the door. I have another interview for Monday with Aramark, unfortunately I forgot what I applied for since it was something like year ago! I think it was for the route uniform thing, but again, it was probably last year when I applied. Someone else told me they only hire when they are ready to fire a person. We shall see. I know I would rather be operating equipment than some uniform sales position, but I will take whatever opens up first just to get some forward momentum. I can't wait on what might never materialize! Random question, but is there a school that will give you certs/cred/exp in the HE operator field? If you wanna be a truck driver there are schools, same goes for most anything, but I don't recall ever seeing a school to operate loaders and such. You usually have to continuously update and re-apply for jobs otherwise your resume will move to the bottom and become inactive. Your resume you built should still be on there. The government jobs vary depending on location. Some places have enough employees that between retirements and firings they are almost continuously hiring. Others you have to wait for someone to leave before they open a position. If you are trying to stay in NY it might be a little more difficult. If you're willing to relocate, there are shipyards at Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Norfolk, Virginia. They pretty regularly hire, and they give you all the training you will ever need for whatever field they hire you for. There are also shipyards on the West coast that are always hiring. Hit me up with a message if you want any info on the shipyards. I really wish I could get the better half to move out of this state. I have been forced to pass on about four good job opportunities back down south, two in TN and two in NC, because she is dead set against leaving here. Her family is here and she has the good job at this point. If I was willing to leave, to end my relationship, then my work life would be so much easier. Not to mention being able to carry again, or to even own a pistol again. Its a personal struggle to remain here. Love is important, but honestly it does get strained at a certain point in your life. At times I do feel close to yanking that handle as GD is so fond of saying, but I also know things can get better. Today is evidence of that! Shipyards would be my Kryptonite; getting me to a free state, near the ocean, and gainfully employed again! You said you live in Central NY not NYC,so why cant you get a pistol permit ? Dutchess County resident for 33 years and have I only been gone for 7. I have a heavy equipment school about 10 miles from my house,but I think they are slow because not to much building down here in FL right now. |
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I'll do light tasks in the wheel loader or 2250 during slow days. I'm about as useless in heavy equipment as tits on a boar hog, but damn if it isnt fun  I am not claiming to be highly skilled or anything close to a pro, but I have run a fair bit of equipment over the years. On my dad's property I cleaned out some ponds with a track-hoe, cleared out some trees with a D5 dozer, and used a nice sized Cat loader to move quad-cons around while in the Corps. I agree its a blast, getting paid to do it will be even better! Quoted:
You said you live in Central NY not NYC,so why cant you get a pistol permit ? Dutchess County resident for 33 years and have I only been gone for 7. I have a heavy equipment school about 10 miles from my house,but I think they are slow because not to much building down here in FL right now. Because I am still a TN resident. Lived here 3 years now, 2 of which I was still on active duty so I still have something of an excuse remaining. I was told I have to have character references going back 4 years, or maybe it was three, either way I have none aside from her family but that only covers 3 years worth. I have a TN concealed carry permit, no criminal record of any sort, and was told no friggin way until I became an NY resident. I will die a little inside on that day. 
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Starting you on a track excavator, they started you out higher up the level of equipment than normal entry level loader operator. They may see you're not as smooth as a seasoned excavator operator and may try you on a loader. Being fluid on a loader is easy, raising the bucket while you approach the truck so when you arrive you're over the bed instead of getting to the truck and then raising the front bucket. Do not hit the side or top of the bed. I was a good operator and still did that
Being smooth with no wasted motion on the excavator is the mark of exerience. If you can learn to blend moving laterally and up and down in one arch instead of two seperate jerking motions is what they recognize as an experienced operator. |
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I've been running heavy equipment for 12yrs now, Im the foreman now.It does get boring after a while , doing the same thing all day.
Being honest, about your experience like you are is the best thing. Try running everything they will let you. ASK Questions, watch what's going on, and be careful. It's easy work. Honestly, just show up on time and ready to work you will do fine. |
| Shit ton of good advice here. Can't stress enough, before you fire up, find the stick and check the oil. Do a walk around, check sight glasses for hyd. fluid. Just mostly relax, don't get excited, the only time I've ever seen anybody make that big mistake that erases all previous attaboys is when they got excited or scared and reacted. FWIW, I detest scrapers, but I can run one, and I've never rolled one. Loaders can be fun. Dozers rock! Excavators look a lot more fun than they are. Probably my favorite is a motor grader. That bitch does WAY more than it looks like it should. |
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Shit ton of good advice here. Can't stress enough, before you fire up, find the stick and check the oil. Do a walk around, check sight glasses for hyd. fluid. Just mostly relax, don't get excited, the only time I've ever seen anybody make that big mistake that erases all previous attaboys is when they got excited or scared and reacted. FWIW, I detest scrapers, but I can run one, and I've never rolled one. Loaders can be fun. Dozers rock! Excavators look a lot more fun than they are. Probably my favorite is a motor grader. That bitch does WAY more than it looks like it should. The motor graders, I never did quite grasp why the front wheels camber can be adjusted on the fly, angling one way or another. I always figured it was to tighten the turning radius or to run the machine at an oblique, but I could be way off in my reasoning! I spent the end of my career in the Corps wrenching on light armored vehicles, so I am comfortable with preventative as well as operator maintenance. Every machine is different, and I imagine some companies handle it differently. It also prepared me for a potentially boring career. Nothing on earth is more boring than sitting in a turret staring out at the surface of the moon for weeks at a time, so I figure anything else is exciting by comparison. A question I haven't asked or seen answered yet, what happens if there is bad weather? I see being in a big metal machine in an open area during a storm as being kinda dangerous. Do they shut it down and send you home? That would kinda suck actually, unless they pay you for the day regardless. We often get lots of snow up here as well. I wonder if they have you clear the place off then go to work. I don't want to ask these questions if I end up being interviewed! I figure that might be bad form. |
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Shit ton of good advice here. Can't stress enough, before you fire up, find the stick and check the oil. Do a walk around, check sight glasses for hyd. fluid. Just mostly relax, don't get excited, the only time I've ever seen anybody make that big mistake that erases all previous attaboys is when they got excited or scared and reacted. FWIW, I detest scrapers, but I can run one, and I've never rolled one. Loaders can be fun. Dozers rock! Excavators look a lot more fun than they are. Probably my favorite is a motor grader. That bitch does WAY more than it looks like it should. The motor graders, I never did quite grasp why the front wheels camber can be adjusted on the fly, angling one way or another. I always figured it was to tighten the turning radius or to run the machine at an oblique, but I could be way off in my reasoning! I spent the end of my career in the Corps wrenching on light armored vehicles, so I am comfortable with preventative as well as operator maintenance. Every machine is different, and I imagine some companies handle it differently. It also prepared me for a potentially boring career. Nothing on earth is more boring than sitting in a turret staring out at the surface of the moon for weeks at a time, so I figure anything else is exciting by comparison. A question I haven't asked or seen answered yet, what happens if there is bad weather? I see being in a big metal machine in an open area during a storm as being kinda dangerous. Do they shut it down and send you home? That would kinda suck actually, unless they pay you for the day regardless. We often get lots of snow up here as well. I wonder if they have you clear the place off then go to work. I don't want to ask these questions if I end up being interviewed! I figure that might be bad form. This is done to counter the forces generated by the blade and the material carried by the blade. The blade is almost always at a non-perpendicular angle to the centerline of the machine, therefore generating a transverse force on the front end of the machine. Get the angle of the front wheels right and the machine will go straight and you can focus on the blade and material. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Shit ton of good advice here. Can't stress enough, before you fire up, find the stick and check the oil. Do a walk around, check sight glasses for hyd. fluid. Just mostly relax, don't get excited, the only time I've ever seen anybody make that big mistake that erases all previous attaboys is when they got excited or scared and reacted. FWIW, I detest scrapers, but I can run one, and I've never rolled one. Loaders can be fun. Dozers rock! Excavators look a lot more fun than they are. Probably my favorite is a motor grader. That bitch does WAY more than it looks like it should. The motor graders, I never did quite grasp why the front wheels camber can be adjusted on the fly, angling one way or another. I always figured it was to tighten the turning radius or to run the machine at an oblique, but I could be way off in my reasoning! I spent the end of my career in the Corps wrenching on light armored vehicles, so I am comfortable with preventative as well as operator maintenance. Every machine is different, and I imagine some companies handle it differently. It also prepared me for a potentially boring career. Nothing on earth is more boring than sitting in a turret staring out at the surface of the moon for weeks at a time, so I figure anything else is exciting by comparison. A question I haven't asked or seen answered yet, what happens if there is bad weather? I see being in a big metal machine in an open area during a storm as being kinda dangerous. Do they shut it down and send you home? That would kinda suck actually, unless they pay you for the day regardless. We often get lots of snow up here as well. I wonder if they have you clear the place off then go to work. I don't want to ask these questions if I end up being interviewed! I figure that might be bad form. This is done to counter the forces generated by the blade and the material carried by the blade. The blade is almost always at a non-perpendicular angle to the centerline of the machine, therefore generating a transverse force on the front end of the machine. Get the angle of the front wheels right and the machine will go straight and you can focus on the blade and material. Yup. Get it wrong while pushing snow, and you'll take a white knuckle ride into a ditch. |
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Bad weather and frozen ground will mess you up. Some times you can work through it. Rock jobs are great for steady working. I don't worry about lightning.
Don't be afraid to get out of the seat and pick up a shovel. I run everything we have and i still get in the trench and do pipe labor . I also learned to repair the equipment. If your not diverse your first laid off. Get your Cdl. |