Operating Heavy Equipement

[NorthernRedneck]

Anyone out there have any experience operating heavy machinery? I'm particularly interested in anything forestry related as forestry is a major industry around here where I live. I'm talking about slashers, fellar bunchers, skidders etc...

I currently work in a plywood mill where I've been for the past six or so years. I'm currently looking at getting out of the mill and doing something different due to a work related injury last year. I enjoy the outdoors and love spending those long days operating a trail groomer for the local snomobile club so I figured I would enjoy operating heavy equipement for a living. Is it advisable to get training through a college or training school on operating heavy equipement? I know it probably couldn't hurt but would it be worth it. The only course I've found in my area would be a 4 week course learning how to operate a smaller backhoe, dozer, and excavator but that doesn't quite relate to running a buncher or slasher out in the bush. Any ideas?

 

[LarryRB]

find a part time job with a local logger. Get some time on equipment, then go for the big one,

 

[bczoom]

Get some time on equipment

Bingo. My thoughts exactly.

If you can get seat time on other equipment (e.g. excavators, dozers...) that may not be directly related to forestry, it'll still be worthwhile.

 

[mtntopper]

Nothing beats actual seat time for competing for an equipment operators job. Many companies will train you, but you will start on the bottom doing cleanup and other jobs which may involve operating the equipment but not actual production work. Just be patience and someone will give you the chance you need if you show a real interest.

 

[mtntopper]

In Gillette Wyoming, if you can show up at one of the large surface coal mines in the area, you can almost be guaranteed a job driving a 240 ton off highway haul truck if you pass the drug/health screen tests. This is the beginner/learning area to become an equipment operator or advance to other jobs in the mine. The demand/competition for any equipment operators is so competitive and jobs so plentiful the recruitment is going on nationwide to fill these jobs. The pay is $24.00 per hour for 40 hours, $36.00 per hour for overtime over 40 hours, double time on most holidays, and most of the mines provide full benefits to their employees and families. Most mining jobs provide employees up to seven days in a row off each month as these jobs are shift work as shifts change. Many jobs are 10 to 12 hour per day. Housing is somewhat expensive and sometimes hard to find but is obtainable if you look. Commutes to work can be up to 50+ miles one way, but many mines do provide bus service for the employees free of charge. It is a great area for young people to put a good mark on their careers and earn a great living do a job that provides many advancement opportunities.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

mtntopper- now that would be something to drive! My cousin drives an underground version of that truck in an underground mine up north.

 

[bill w]

i run a d-9 with a 27 ft wide shear-blade on it.basically the blade comes down to where the cutting edge would normally be and it turns out to the front and is sharpened to almost razor sharp.you just hold the blade about 6 inches off the ground ,grab second gear and head for the trees.it will shear off 12 inch trees and stack them right along side of me.it's sitting in delta(90 miles away)or i would attach a photo.i can clear about 35 acres a shift(12hrs)all by myself.we use it to clear black spruce in the winter for fire breaks and fuel reduction in areas prone to fires

 

[fogtender]

I bought a D-8 some years back and leased it to both the State of Alaska and BLM fire services. You get to do all the driving you want on your own toy when the world is burning... when it's not, you get pretty bored...

 

[bill w]

actually figured it out last night and i put approx 475 miles on the d-9 last winter.most of the time forestery calls out only d-6's for fire fighting due to the soft ground.the only fire i've ran the d-9 on was the boundary fire in 04..they kept me up on the tops of the hills outside of fbks.never been bored on a fire yet,they keep me busy. bill w