Heavy Equipment Industry News Updates

Heavy Equipment Desperately Needed in Indonesia

AT LEAST 80 people have been killed after days of torrential rain triggered landslides in the central Java region of Indonesia.

Thousands more have been forced to seek shelter after their homes were buried or washed away in mudslides, which some blame on deforestation.

Hundreds of soldiers, police and volunteers were trying to get heavy-lifting equipment to affected villages on the main island of Java, but blocked roads were hampering their efforts...

...A lack of heavy equipment was slowing rescue efforts, officials said.

80 killed as heavy rain in Java causes mudslides

Training Is Important Throughout The Construction Industry

In an industry like construction, where techniques, materials, equipment, and regulations are constantly changing, continuous training is vital to maximizing work force productivity, work quality and leader development...

...The most traditional training providers have been the state's 16 technical colleges. They continue to be a primary source of training for construction and industrial workers, offering education in skilled trades ranging from construction labor, bricklaying, masonry, carpentry, electrician, welding, HVAC technician, and plumbing, to equipment technician, surveying, drafting, and architectural design...

...Another source of training is contractors themselves, many of whom hold their own training programs about safety, productivity, quality, specific skills, and other topics important to their employees and company.

Training is also available from manufacturers and dealers, who offer courses about using and maintaining the products they sell...


Ingersoll-Rand Agrees to Buy Trane for $9.95 Billion

Dec. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Ingersoll-Rand Co., the world's largest maker of truck-refrigeration units, agreed to buy Trane Inc. for about $9.95 billion in cash and stock to add air- conditioning systems, more than tripling climate-control sales.

Komatsu in Action



Street Digging with an Excavator





Excavator Skills





Excavator Brings the House Down

Heavy Equipment Industry News from Around the World

South Korean Heavy Equipment Company Lands a Deal

South Korea's Doosan Heavy Industries said on Tuesday it had secured a 293.6 billion won ($317.9 million) power equipment order from a Philippine unit of Korea Electric Power Corp. The equipment would be delivered by May 31, 2011, Doosan said in a filing with the Korea Exchange.

Doosan Heavy wins $318 mln order from Philippines


Indonesia's United Tractors Reports Increase in Sales

Indonesia's leading heavy equipment distributor and mining contractor, PT United Tractors, said Friday its sales of Komatsu heavy equipment rose 55 percent in the first 11 months of the year from a year before.

Sales to the mining sector remained the biggest contributor to the total, but sales to the agriculture sector posted the largest increase.

Indonesia's United Tractors Jan-Nov heavy equipment sales up 55 percent


Back home in the US, heavy equipment companies are also showing a positive outlook:

Heavy-Equipment Companies Get a Boost From Strong Overall Market, Variety of Financial News

Shares of a a wide variety of heavy equipment companies rose Wednesday, pulled up by a strong overall market, along with individual financial news that pleased investors.

Another Stupid Heavy Equipment Accident - Never Underestimate!

Unloading Excavator Demonstration

Watch closely, this is the way to unload an excavator off the wrong sized truck. You gotta work with what you have. Skillful yet almost unnecessary.

And to stay with excavators, let's examine a near fatal excavator accident investigation. Stupid, but serious, and there are some useful tips.

And another, not so serious this time :)

There is no doubt the construction and heavy equipment industry is currently dominated by men. Traditionally, like most fields, men were only seen on site. Times are changing. Women are increasingly being hired for many of these jobs. This is not only due to the fact that there is a shortage of operators, in general, but also because women may possess motor and sensory skills that are innate to them. Im not saying one gender is better than the other. But it is very possible that one gender may be better suited in certain areas.

Women are Driving Monster Toys Too!

The NAHETS blog does a great job highlighting this growing trend. Although the relative numbers are still small, women are being trained and utilized more than ever operating heavy equipment. They have posted stats for you to check out.

Construction and Heavy Equipment Jobs . . . For Women Too

John Deere introduces a new line of large, high-horsepower tractors – the 9030 Series Scraper Tractors. These three models of tractors, ranging from 425 to 530 hp, are engineered for large-scale scraper operations, providing more power, productivity, operator comfort and cleaner burning engines that meet federal Tier III emissions standards.

Engine Estimated Fuel
Model Weight HP Engine Spec Transmission Tank
*9430 44,000-46,000 lbs. 425 13.5L/ 2100 rpm 18-Speed PS 350 Gal.
*9530 44,600-46,600 lbs. 475 13.5L/ 2100 rpm 18-Speed PS 350 Gal.
*9630 45,800-50,000 lbs. 530 13.5L/ 2100 rpm 18-Speed PS 350 Gal.

*Scraper models are offered as 18-Speed PS Transmission only.*Specifications subject to change. Please contact your local dealer for more detailed information.

John Deere Provides More Power, Performance with 9430, 9530, and 9630 Scraper Specials

Many heavy equipment and construction companies will hire on the spot since the demand is so great for heavy equipment operators. None the less, this is a chance for you to meet the team/company and a chance for the prospective employer to meet you. Being well-prepared for the interview and its questions can arm you with getting the best offer you are worth. Below are some tips and sample questions that have accumulated specifically to heavy equipment operators. The day of the interview, wear nice dress slacks with a nice shirt, tie optional.

5 General Tips to Always Remember During the Interview:

1. Never Lie. Always tell the truth. Make sure your resume does not include lies either. They want to know why they should hire you and how you can benefit their operations.
2. Be Confident and Positive. The interviewer will not be confident in you unless you exhibit confidence in yourself. They want to see positive can-do attitudes.
3. Sit up and Stand Straight. Don’t slouch or seem unnaturally stiff. Just sit straight up with good posture.
4. Smile. Smiling will relieve some of the stress and allow you to be more personable with the interviewer.
5. Be Respectful and Courteous. The interviewer may be viewing your every move as generally they are signs of your behavior and attitude. Since you have already gained an interview opportunity, they have already expressed interest in your capabilities and experiences/education.

*They are not allowed to ask personal privacy rights questions. Most interviewers are aware of this. They can not discriminate or ask about age, gender, or race. Do not get too personal, and remember to be positive.

Questions that Seem to Come Up during a Heavy Equipment Operator Interview
Common in the construction industry, interviewers will ask behavioral type questions such as the following:

What is your greatest personal achievement?
Where do you see yourself in five/ten years?
What is your favorite color?
What is your worst quality?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
Do you have any questions for us? Always answer this. Do not say you don’t have any questions. Ask about the company history, the size of the company, who you are replacing, anything about the position. Basically you want to show them that you are equally interested.

Remember you want to show that you are positive and will be a great asset to their operations. Always lead back to this and you should do fine. Be confident and well-prepared and you will soon be part of a team. Have fun with the monster toys!

More Women Needed for Heavy Equipment Jobs

Due to a shortage of skilled laborers, women are being hired and trained to operate monster toys. Many women are showing positive feedback upon entering the field. Times are changing and men can now share their passion for monster toys with women.

Need a heavy equipment driver? Hire a woman, company says


Santa Cruz Residents Taking Charge Using Heavy Equipment

Neighbors already have used heavy equipment three times to move two 8,000-pound concrete barricades the county installed to block both ends of a quarter-mile closure on Highland Way.

Neighbors armed with heavy equipment, county battle over closed road


Oh dear! I keep forgetting I'm not in Kansas!

Heavy Equipment enthusiasts will be pleased to know that right by their airport, an agreement for the creation of ITEC Expo is being finalized, a multipurpose mixed-use project designed for manufacturers of heavy equipment and machinery for industries including transportation, farming, construction, material handling, seaport equipment, rail transportation, mining and exploration.

ITEC Expo will provide heavy equipment manufacturers with an international destination where they can exhibit and demonstrate, market and sell their products, as well as provide support for dealers, distributors and wholesalers and conduct market, consumer and competitive research. Additionally, the facility will offer educational opportunities to ensure that end-users have capable, trained and experienced operators for their type of heavy equipment.

ITEC Expo will also be open to the public, offering an opportunity for visitors to learn about all types of heavy machinery and see the equipment in action.

Kansas City International Airport to be Home to Heavy Equipment Demo Facility

This is what you call heavy equipment operator precision!

Here's a great interview with a Heavy Equipment Operator:

Any advice for those seeking a career as a Heavy Equipment Operator?

Start out at the bottom, learn to check grade for operators and laboring. Watch closely what the veteran operators do, I learned most of what I know just from watching. Be prepared for long hours, long periods of isolation from others, extreme heat and dust in the summers and the joy of zero degree temperatures in the winter; it is definitely not for everyone.

Career as a Heavy Equipment Operator

Heavy equipment operator training is an essential educational prerequisite for any potential candidate looking to enter a stable and rewarding career in operating heavy equipment. With a rise in construction projects around the world, heavy equipment operators are in demand. The Department of Labor states that the career outlook for heavy equipment operating is on the rise and very good. Heavy equipment operators require specialized training in order to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to obtain and keep a job utilizing heavy equipment. Although experience will be accumulated with on-the-job hours, it is absolutely necessary that a potential operator receive proper training prior to entering the field.

Heavy equipment is the tool vital to nearly every business or individual in the construction industry. Heavy equipment operator training is essential for the proper and effective use of equipment such as backhoes, scrapers, excavators, motor graters, loaders, dump trucks, bulldozers, and other heavy vehicles.

Heavy equipment operator training programs usually range in duration from a little over a month to as long as 6 months. Most programs offer a good balance between in-classroom studies and out-of-classroom field training. Classroom courses cover important safety procedures, engineering, math, setup, maintenance and other fundamental topics. Field training consists of hands-on equipment training with emphasis on operations in a variety of situations and environments such as varying types of soil, slope, terrain, and climate conditions.

Upon graduation, a well-trained heavy equipment operator will be qualified to operate most common heavy equipment including backhoes, bulldozers, grader, loaders, excavators, and more. The heavy equipment operator trainee now enters the work force armed with the proper techniques and knowledge. The pay range of new candidates is around $13.00 to over $20.00/an hour dependent on the location, company, and scope of project. Many companies will not hire a candidate unless properly trained through accredited programs. Many heavy equipment operator training programs offer job-placement assistance upon graduation.

If you are already in the construction industry, or are looking to start a career in the industry, heavy equipment operating may be a great decision for you. To begin your career in heavy equipment operating, training is essential. The potential candidate should plan accordingly. Many government grants and scholarships are available to assist in obtaining proper certification and training.

Additional Heavy Equipment Training Resources:

Compact Excavator Training by Bobcat
Bobcat Training Resources

Heavy Equipment Manufacturer Giants Komatsu and Deere both report increases in sales.

Sales of Komatsu heavy equipment surged 54 per cent in the first ten months of this year form the same period, its agent PT United Tractors said.

SALES OF KOMATSU HEAVY EQUIPMENT SURGING IN INDONESIA

Deere & Co.'s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 52% as strong demand for farm equipment amid robust commodity markets more than offset continued weakness in the U.S. housing sector.

Farm Demand Powers Deere Profit

Excavator Training is essential to the construction industry as excavators are one of the most widely used heavy equipment on job sites. Excavator training is also a core concentration of training among most heavy equipment training certification programs. Proper training will help to insure safe and efficient operations of the vehicle in the field. Proper training will benefit both new and experienced operators of excavators by showing safe, efficient and productive applications along with various techniques to enhance or improve the safe operation of excavators.

An excavator is an extremely versatile engineering vehicle consisting of an articulated arm, bucket and cab. Ranging from the mini to a full blown near 200,000 pounder, excavators are used in many roles such as material handling, digging (trenches, holes, foundations, etc...), demolition, general grading/landscaping, heavy lifting (for example: lifting and placing of pipes), river dredging, mining, and more.

Excavator training begins by identifying the various parts and components of the machine. Maintenance concerns are covered in detail as well as pre-op inspection. Safety standards are also stressed during this phase of training. Safety is key and most fundamental to operating and training of any heavy equipment. Many training programs will cover both OSHA and industry safety standards.

Excavator training includes trench digging, trench servicing and backfilling, loading haul units, and benching and sloping. Training will also cover respective safety concerns during these processes.

Digging trenches is the most common work task expected of excavators. Proper training will cover common trenching procedures. Preparing the trenching job, operating techniques, trench sloping, grade checking, various digging techniques, and productive cycle times are covered when examining trench digging with excavators. Proper trench digging will insure successful utility installation.

Various bedding procedures that are common to utility installation are addressed during this phase of excavator training. Servicing trenches, bedding procedures, backfilling, compaction procedures, and changing/carrying buckets are covered. In addition safety concerns will be addressed.

Loading trucks is also a very common task that an excavator operator will face. Excavator training will properly cover techniques such as preparation of the loading area, positioning the machine, positioning the truck, positioning the material in the truck, excavator setup, efficient tactics, dealing with steep slopes, and damage prevention. Of course, safety concerns will also be addressed.

Benching is a cut and fill process that is fundamental for performing many basic excavator operations. It is used in attaining a proper excavator setup as well as pioneering roads. Topics covered include cut and fill operations, road building, maneuvering the machine, benching Techniques, sloping Techniques, grade checking, and finish grading.
Understanding the fundamental procedures for proper setup, maintenance, use, and safety of the excavator and its operators will ensure successful candidates to enter sites well prepared. The demand for heavy equipment operators, including excavator operators, is on the rise. Operators can make a great living after proper training and certification.

The Caterpillar Foundation and four dealerships recently delivered another $148,000 in instructional funding to Pennsylvania College of Technology and its students, bringing to nearly $1.5 million the total contribution since the Fall 1994 semester.Financial Support From

Caterpillar, Area Dealers Nears $1.5 Million

Las Vegas has been on the rise for quite some time. I used to go there at least 3 times a year. Traffic on Fridays and traffic on Sundays, coming to/from Los Angeles. But what I noticed was that the city was expanding exponentially, as the lights would spread out further and further away from the famous strip. The housing industry in Vegas has been booming like no other area in the United States. Viva Las Vegas!

I came across this article that exemplifies their robust expansion. The NAHETS blog examined this expansion and what it means to the construction industry, more specifically, the need for heavy equipment operators.

"The Vegas Strip is leading the charge with $35.46 billion worth of projects planned through 2010, reports the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. Construction plans will add 42,092 more hotel rooms, 2,562 timeshare units and 3.49 million square feet of convention space. Another $13 billion in tentative projects could also build 36,703 hotel rooms and 7,088 timeshare units."

Las Vegas Hot Spot for Construction & Heavy Equipment Industries

JCB Excavators on Friday said growing opportunities in India's infrastructure sector would make the country its largest market by next year.

"The potential would result in India becoming our single largest market, overtaking our home territory United Kingdom," said Patterson, whose company is the third-largest construction equipment maker in the world.

He said there is a huge opportunity in the construction equipment manufacturing sector in India as it was way behind the world average production figures, including that of China.

India to become JCB's largest market by next year

A little old news, but came across it today. Check out this cool simulator. The company received recognition for some of their former crane and excavator personal simulators. Operators can enhance their skills on one of these.

Simulators In Use at National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools