What to Look for in a Heavy Machine Operator School

From forklifts and backhoes to bulldozers and cranes, there are tons of multi-ton machinery that are critical to building in the modern age. If you crane your neck every time you pass a construction site to get a look at all that heavy equipment, maybe you should be at the controls. To enter the field, find a school that teaches smart and safe operation of all kinds of equipment.

What Does a Heavy Machine Operator School Teach?

A heavy machine operator trade school trains you to operate the large equipment used to construct buildings, roads, and bridges. You learn how to run different types of heavy equipment including:

• Bulldozers
• Backhoes
• Front-end loaders
• Graders
• Tractors
• Excavators

Construction Principles and Heavy Machine Operation

Your heavy machine operation training should introduce you to general construction math, principles, and projects. You should learn about construction drawings, rigging, and materials handling. And you need to understand how to operate hand and power tools specific to the construction industry in addition to the machinery and heavy equipment.

Safety in Heavy Machine Operation

Safety is a critical component to your heavy equipment training. Because construction sites can be inherently dangerous, you learn proactive safety measures, hazard identification, and proper behavior on site and on the road. You learn how to correctly operate your equipment, from safely mounting and dismounting, to the use of each component and control. You also learn about concepts of load capacity and how to lift and safely move loads.

National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) CORE

Look for a training program that incorporates the (NCCER) CORE curriculum. This means that your education meets the industry standard and provides you with a nationally recognized credential that can set you apart from the competition during the job search.

Programs can take eight weeks, or 240 hours of active instruction, to complete. Short programs allow you to concentrate on operation skills so you can complete your program and seek employment more quickly. Upon graduation, you can apply for an apprenticeship to sharpen your skills under the guidance of a trained heavy machine operator and get paid for the hours you work.

Do You Need a License to Become a Heavy Machine Operator?

There is no national or industry-required license for a heavy machine operator. But for some equipment, you may need a commercial driver’s license (CDL); it depends on your state’s regulations. CDL licensure can take two to six months to earn, depending on the training you have and how long it takes you to earn your permit and pass the test. Most CDL licenses are offered in Class A, B, or C, and depend on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the equipment you plan to operate. Typically, if a vehicle weighs more than 26,000 pounds, you are required to earn a CDL license. Since most bulldozers and backhoes weigh more than 26,000 pounds, it’s a good idea to pursue a CDL to qualify for more jobs and set yourself apart from other equipment operators.

If you plan to operate cranes, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does require you to earn a special license, which can take three to four months if you’ve completed an apprenticeship. You need to pass both a written and practical exam, meet physical requirements, and re-pass those tests every five years to keep the license.

Projected Growth In Need For The Heavy Machine Operator

With continued infrastructure investment, there is a need for heavy equipment operators to assist with construction1. Are you ready for a heavy equipment career? Lincoln Technical Institute offers Heavy Equipment Operator training that can prepare you for a career in construction. Our instructors have years of experience in the field, and they’re ready to share their skills with you through the hands-on instruction. Fill out the form to learn more.

¹ Infrastructure Investment in the United States. U.S. Department of the Treasury. (2024, February 23). Retrieved 5/14/2024 from https://home.treasury.gov/news/featured-stories/infrastructure-investment-in-the-united-states