Tag Archives: excavator operator

How to drive/operate an excavator

Driving your car is completely different from driving heavy equipment. You do not have many things in heavy equipment that you have in a car and therefore it does not make any sense to equate both the stuffs into one. we go to driving schools to learn driving and only when we become good at it and the driving officer confirms that we are learnt it well and will not cause any disaster on roads that we are given a license. There are many who do not get a license at the first stance. They give multiple tests and of course fail many times as well. Same is the case for a heavy equipment operator. It should never be construed that driving heavy equipment is a cake walk as you do not have to deal with multiple functions at the same time. On the contrary when you actually try to learn to drive/operate heavy equipment it is then you realize the exact difference and may have a different opinion.

We definitely require driving skills when it comes to driving heavy equipment but that is pertinent to probably everything that we can drive and is not just limited to heavy equipment. Now when we talk about heavy equipment there are few machines that operators find them easy to operate and for some they just can’t handle them. As we know that not all heavy equipment are same and therefore for some heavy equipment we need operators with extra ordinary driving skills to drive/operate the machine. An excavator is one such heavy equipment. The operators do not have to attend any special driving schools to drive/operate an excavator. They all go to the same institution. It is just that some have that in-built talent which if shaped in the right way can deliver excellent results.

User manual can’t teach you to drive/operate excavators:-

Excavating earth is a difficult job and in many instances dangerous too. If not done in the right way, it can lead to severe damage. There have been numerous examples where people have lost their lives while excavating. Moreover, the terrain where the excavation is taking place plays an important role. If the terrain is difficult it indeed tests the skills of the operator. A person who does not have much experience in operating excavators should not get into it or else he will jeopardize the lives of himself and many others along with him. One can’t even check the user manual at that time to know how to get come out safely from a given situation. User manuals do not teach you how to drive. They provide some very basic instructions which one can adopt while driving but there are schools for that matter where one should take their basic training and then let the mentors decide if they are ready for heavy equipment like excavators.

Learn the various functions and have better control over them:-

The operator who can efficiently work on an excavator certainly knows all the functions in the machine and has better control over them. This is quite important because as long as you do not know everything of a machine you will not be able to operate it at 100%.

Check these steps to operate the useful heavy equipment- excavator

Construction business has become very popular from last few years. Due to its amazing facilities and profit, it has made a very strong position in the market. Excavator is one of the most useful equipment of construction site that help the workers to perform many works. Without a proper excavator you cannot work on the construction sites. It actually makes your work smooth and easy. However, before using excavator in your site, you have to know how to operate this machine. It is very important to know every single detail of this machine and then use it in your worksite. Here are some tips on operating an excavator. Check this out-

  • At first you have to select a machine for your work. If you are going to work in a small place or you have to dig a ditch for irrigation projects then you can rely on the small or mini excavator. However, when you are required to dig a large landscape project, then it is good to purchase an excavator like Bobcat 335. It will make your work easier. You will get excavator in different sizes. You should buy the machine according to your work priorities.
  • It is very important to look on the manual and get familiar with the different description of the controls. You have to know how to control the machine. As it comes in different shapes and sizes, thereby, you should always know the different ways of controlling it.
  • You have to sit on the driver’s seat in order to familiar with the Gauges, controls and the restraint system of operator. On the right side of the machine you will find the ignition key. During the time of operation you should look on the oil pressure, fuel level and of course the engine temperature. There will be a seat belt for you and you can use it.
  • You have to know the detail of controlling the joysticks. It is important to know how to move or handle the joystick. Joystick helps to handle the bucket or boom assembly and the machine’s other function. When you will release the machine, it will come back to the neutral position. For operating the machine it is really important to get familiar with joystick.
  • There will be two long steel rods along with handles. These are the steer controls of drivers. Each one helps to control the rotation of the machine and help it to move forward. If you can push a stick forward then it will help the machine to turn in the opposite direction. If you can manage to push the controls more then the machine will start to move faster.
  • There is a small pedal or a button on the left side of the machine. It helps to control the high speed, and helps to move the machine from one location to another with high speed.

These are the basic steps of operating an excavator. If you can manage to learn these steps ten you will be able to operate this equipment properly.