Rustyiron
Super Member
Good insight from guys who have been there. I would also add that heavy equipment skills can be a basis for forming your own business and being self-employed.
I know a fellow I have hired for jobs that is always busy, even in this poor economy and living in a fairly poor area. He is successful because he will take on any job from small to big, does them well, returns calls and shows up when he says he will. His hourly rates aren't cheap, but he gets a lot done in an hour He also plows snow in the winter when the frost is too deep for dirt work, mostly for commercial customers. He seems happy. Something to consider.
Like Steve says, you may change your mind, but it's never a bad thing to have some job skills in your pocket.
Very good post! Learn from that one rubes. Dave's first sentence says it all.
I believe that on bigger "dirt jobs" where a lot of the jobs are with bigger contractors, the trend is going "stakeless", that is every thing is basically controlled using GPS and the operator's input is diminishing. (along with his necessary skills) and that means less pay. They (Cat, JD, Case, Volvo etc.) are designing and building machines with this in mind along with the outlook of the next generation of "operators". Notice the "joy sticks" everywhere! Heck, you gan now get a road grader without a steering wheel!
When I was your age I was exactly like you (in my thinking), well it just did not work out that way, but I'm sure that I'm not the only one here that has had some sort of sucess in other areas that afforded us to be able to buy some of these "toys" for our own personal use. I've have or had track loaders, excavators, dump trucks, tractors and skid steers. These were the equivelant of the next guy's fancy boat or motorhome, beach house, etc. get my drift? I just like my "heavy metal" instead. The next step in that is a bunch of acerage to play with it on. You sound like a good guy with your head on straight! Listen to us "old fellas" and make your own decisions.