Heavy machinery operator

[rmk700]

Made my career as an heavy equipment operater. Going on 27 years now and still enjoy my job. You do need to like the outdoors and I'd take that over an office job any day. Now a days these big companies are using GPS on there equipment and having computer skills is essential. I mostly run a large trackhoe equipped with GPS.

[rubes2311]

I Love being outside and I live in Peterborough a city close to Toronto Ontario. Im looking for a career ill love and be happy with

[rubes2311]

[QUOTE="rubes2311"]I Love being outside and I live in Peterborough a town near toronto Ontario.

[ovrszd]

One thing i would like to do with my life is get a job I like and im happy doing. I know what your saying and i understand, im not thinking about becoming a heavy machinery op. because its cool its because its what I like doing

Wow,,, you sure you're just 15??? Your post is wayyyyyy more mature than BobG's. Good thing for Bob that there are people like you that don't mind a hard day's work so he has a good road to drive on while looking down at the rest of us.

[rubes2311]

Thank you very much and I love working. Ill work outside all day. I once had to remove a gravel path with a jd 755 i worked from 8 am to 11 pm, and I didnt want to stop!

[Verticaltrx]

If you are the entrepreneurial type (like to run your own business), you could get started in just a couple years with modest equipment, even the JD in your avatar would be a start. IF you really want to make good money in life doing work with 'heavy equipment' you need to own the company. Start small, be a good businessman, and don't use debt to build the company and you'll be well on your way to success.

I started my first business when I was 17 using rented and family equipment, working after school/weekends/summers to build up the business, add equipment, etc. I got a Bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics, then got my contractors license and now build barns, fences, and do plenty of light grading/excavating. I have modest equipment but make a good living by finding the right niche. I enjoy running the big yellow iron and rent dozers, excavators, etc when my jobs call for it, but I don't really strive to be just a grading/excavating contractor. I've found the best money to be made with machines isn't by doing hourly work with them, but instead using them to complete a project you bid on. (although hourly work is a good start)

Also, one of my cousins started a landscaping company when he was 15 or 16. It took off and he was owning trucks and equipment before he even had his license. Had employees that drove the trucks and helped with the work. It's all about working hard, being smart with your money, and being honest and personable.

With all that said, if you are not the business owner type that's ok (in fact there are a lot of people that own businesses that shouldn't). I also know people that are quite content just running the equipment and getting paid for it. For some it's just a side job because they like to do it, for others it's their full-time living. Regardless, you can't go wrong by doing well in school, getting a good degree in business or whatever and pick up the skills/trade licenses on the side along the way.

[bigtiller]

Wow,,, you sure you're just 15??? Your post is wayyyyyy more mature than BobG's. Good thing for Bob that there are people like you that don't mind a hard day's work so he has a good road to drive on while looking down at the rest of us.

Why are you slamming BobG's contribution to the conversation? The voice of experience is always a good one to listen to.

[RDrancher]

If you are the entrepreneurial type (like to run your own business), you could get started in just a couple years with modest equipment, even the JD in your avatar would be a start. IF you really want to make good money in life doing work with 'heavy equipment' you need to own the company. Start small, be a good businessman, and don't use debt to build the company and you'll be well on your way to success.

I started my first business when I was 17 using rented and family equipment, working after school/weekends/summers to build up the business, add equipment, etc. I got a Bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics, then got my contractors license and now build barns, fences, and do plenty of light grading/excavating. I have modest equipment but make a good living by finding the right niche. I enjoy running the big yellow iron and rent dozers, excavators, etc when my jobs call for it, but I don't really strive to be just a grading/excavating contractor. I've found the best money to be made with machines isn't by doing hourly work with them, but instead using them to complete a project you bid on. (although hourly work is a good start)

Also, one of my cousins started a landscaping company when he was 15 or 16. It took off and he was owning trucks and equipment before he even had his license. Had employees that drove the trucks and helped with the work. It's all about working hard, being smart with your money, and being honest and personable.

With all that said, if you are not the business owner type that's ok (in fact there are a lot of people that own businesses that shouldn't). I also know people that are quite content just running the equipment and getting paid for it. For some it's just a side job because they like to do it, for others it's their full-time living. Regardless, you can't go wrong by doing well in school, getting a good degree in business or whatever and pick up the skills/trade licenses on the side along the way.

I'm in perfect agreement with all of the above.

If I would have followed my dreams back back in the '70's when I was working my first real job for an excavation company, I would be way ahead of where I am today. That's not saying that where I'm at isn't a pretty good darn place! Back in the days before skid steers I wanted to own and operate a track loader and dozer. I got sidetracked and ended up being a concrete contractor for a bunch of years. (That's a whole 'nother story.) After all of those years of worrying about taking care of a bunch of employees I decided to go it alone. I've now found a niche and work mainly by myself with one tractor and rental equipment when I need it. It's a very good living without all of the worries and I wouldn't have it any other way. BTW - I never do hourly work...period.

As far as being a heavy equipment operator as an employee, my brother-in-law works for a small non-union excavation company (80 employees) in SoCal and has made a very good living at it by paying attention, always being available and being very reliable. He's what they call a "valuable employee" and if that's the route you choose then that's what you want to strive to be.

I will also add that I've never been around an "excellent" operator that didn't also know how to run a shovel like a pro. It's okay to start at the bottom and learn the ropes.

[rubes2311]

I was hoping to work in road construction or for a contractor and getting some contacts and then when i have a small work crew of a few people I would start a landscaping company hoping i could get cheat material from a few of my contacts

[BobG_in_VA]

Wow,,, you sure you're just 15??? Your post is wayyyyyy more mature than BobG's. Good thing for Bob that there are people like you that don't mind a hard day's work so he has a good road to drive on while looking down at the rest of us.

Cute! Funny you should mention roads to drive on....since it was Interstate 64 thru Virgina that I worked on when I was and operator..by the way...have YOU ever been one? BobG in VA who was "operating" machinery on the family farm by the time he was 9....still do that sort of stuff after I gave the Dep of Defense (ours by the way) 34 years of his life...so pls don't speak to me or anyone else about maturity until you walk a mile in someone else's shoes. BobG in VA