Topic: Any Heavy Equipment Operators here? Plus an update on Old Dusthawk!

[Dusthawk]

Hey all, I'll get to my life in a few minutes but I have a few questions for any Heavy Equipment Operators here. First and most basic question, School or no school? I am looking at ATS in Madison Wisconsin for a school. Tuition is $11K and housing is another $800, plus food and fuel and entertainment for 8 weeks, figure a total of $14,500. They've been in business for over 40 years and they provide lifetime job placement assistance for free. Their website is http://www.operator-school.com/index.php I think, I've mostly talked on the phone to one of the reps there.

Secondly, Union or not? Here in Cali there is a 2 to 3 year waiting list for the Union local 03 Apprenticeship Program and I just don't have that kind of time. I will have my settlement by the end of the year but it won't pay my living expenses for three years while I await Union training.

Third, what is the hiring like in your area? I have no problem with relocating if it means I get hired somewhere. I don't even care if it's $12 an hour as long as it's long term employment. I know every employer wants a lot of seat time in who they hire but would they be willing to take on a new hire at considerably below current wages to give him the time he needs at the controls? What about demolition work? I am particularly interested in that because my main interests in training include Excavators, wheeled loaders and backhoes, three of the most important machines in demo. I would think Demo work would be a great way to start because while care has to be taken and precision is key, it is more difficult, to my way of thinking, to work construction rather than destruction.

Fourth, and final question for now, what is the housing market in your area? I figure I'll have about $35K to $40K to spend on purchasing a new home. My wants are simple, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom with a tub, and a garage where I can work on Rita and whatever other project bike I may get. I don't care of it needs some work as long as it is livable. If I can purchase outright, I would prefer that but might consider a mortgage if necessary. I would prefer a house but would consider a Condo or double wide in a park as long as monthly fees are minimal.

Anyway, now that we've gotten the business part done, lolol. I have really learned to loath insurance companies. Most of you know the nightmares AIG(Chartis) has put me through over the last 4 years and 4 months. I am permanently partially disabled but with hope of further improvement if physiotherapy can get approved. Both shoulders can't handle lifting more than 20 pounds and I have three compressed and bulging discs in my lumbar pressing on my spinal nerve. The MRI that shows them is pretty gruesome, lolol.

I am nearing the end of the settlement process and am waiting for final court date as I write this. My attorney says barring unforeseen complications(which though possible is very improbable) I should have a court date sometime in early November with final payment due by Mid-December. I don't know what final settlement amount will be but from talking to my attorney it should be around $80K. After paying off all debts to everyone I owe and setting aside funds for therapy, I should have enough to buy a home, or at least a sizable down on a place. I have already contacted all of my creditors and have made arrangements for them to be prepared to receive payment in total. While it won't repair my credit rating over night, it'll surely help.

Other than waiting for court to give us a date, I just sit here at home in a rented 24 foot trailer, waiting for time to pass with the occasional trek to a doctor. Over the last year I have learned the true definition of the word Patience. The definition of Patience is to sit back and relax until God, who is usually extremely busy, can spare a moment to look in on you. I don't mean to just sit there and wait for life to happen, I mean live your life, go out on do things, but if it's that important, it'll get done one way or another. If one just lets life happen, they must accept what fate gives them whether they like the results or not. On the other hand, if they actively participate they can finesse the outcome to something they can be happy with.

This is why I am looking into the Heavy Equipment Operator(HEO) field. I have always loved working with machinery, I have great manual dexterity, great hand eye coordination, an eye for details, and I have always loved working outdoors. With my current limitations physically, my options are very limited. I don't have the mindset or desire for a desk job, Security(which I tried doing earlier this year) didn't work because I can't stand or walk for long periods, limiting my usefulness on job sites, and I can't go back to doing roadservice because it is physically too demanding for what my body can take. I was happiest when I drove the tow truck but it just isn't realistic anymore.

I have looked into many fields of employment but nothing I have found engages my mind like HEO work does and if it helps that I have a natural affinity for working with machinery, all the better.

Now, for Rita. I know you are wondering about Rita and while I hate to say she is still under a tarp, head and jugs pulled, front end long gone, and the rest of her in pieces, I have talked to everyone I needed to about all the parts needed for her and they are just waiting for my call. Then it will only be a matter of time before I get her back on the road, better than new, and growling her pleasure at once again eating up the roadways. I have also talked to a friend of mine who does great airbrush work and he is eager for me to bring him the rear fender. I am dedicating the rebuilt Rita to this forum and all the members herein. You have all been very supportive in many ways and helped me out in a time of dire need that part of that repayment will be some airbrush work on the rear fender to show just a small portion of my appreciation.

Anyway, this is a very long post for me and I apologise for that. Please forgive me, it has been a long time since I've been here and I had a lot to say. Talk to you all again soon,

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[bill440cars]

    Hey Jeff! Fantastic to see ya here again!    Don't worry about the length of your post, the longer you are away from friends & family, the longer your post is gonna be! It takes time (and in this case, space) to say all you want to say. And if that bothers anyone, That's THEIR problem and NOT YOUR'S. Been wondering, off & on, what was going on with you & Rita. I KNOW that you'll be glad to get to the point to where you can get something going again. I REALLY feel for ALL that you have been through. I am CERTAIN that, through the GRACE of GOD & Your Determination, You'll pull through though! Jeff, my Hat's off to YOU for Hanging in there buddy. Too bad about Rita's front end, but her HEART is STILL THERE!  Don't know of much around here, still kinda wrapped up with dealing with the things concerning my Dad, Trying to keep Karla healthy AND trying to keep myself moving along too.

                      You take care and I'll be in touch,  Bill                 

[Glenn Stauffer]

Hey Jeff, I was thinking about you this summer when I noticed you'd been gone for a bit.  Glad to hear that things are looking up for you.

There are equipment operator jobs available in Pennsylvania.  Home construction has stalled here in the SE, but there are lots of highway construction jobs, though they will run out when the Feds stop shoveling money that way.  In the Northern tier of the state, the gas industry is actively drilling in the marcellus shale and hiring for a variety of positions.  While they continue to build out the drill sites, they'll be needing equipment operators.

The good part is that housing has traditionally been pretty cheap up there; bad part is that the job market is going to cool off when things move from drilling and exploration to maintenance of the wells.

[Duke McDukiedook]

I would think a decent Operator's union would be able to train you for free.

[Dusthawk]

I would think a decent Operator's union would be able to train you for free.

Yes, actually, the Union will train me, but the hard part is finding a Union with open recruitment. Here in California there is a 2 to 3 year waiting list before I am even considered for training, and I just got off the phone with the Local 103 in Anderson Indiana. They don't open for training until March. She also told me that most Union locals in the midwest follow the same pattern due to the cold weather. Both she and I think it is something to consider about attending that school in Madison. I can show the Union officials how dedicated and interested I am by seeking what training is available on my own. As long as I don't look for fast tracks or anything like that I should have a good chance of being accepted. I told Sheila that I expect it to take 3 to 5 years to make journeyman level, and however long to make Master. Even told her I was interested in Demo as well as construction thinking that there should be some good Demo work done in the winter time, making me that much more hire-able to potential employers.

Glenn, thanks for that info as well, I will look into the Unions around north Pa. now as well. Okay, after several misdirected calls, I finally found that I would have to be a resident for more than 6 months in one of the counties where they have offices, they won't take any applications from non-residents, even if they are willing to permanently relocate.

Never fear though, I am still not taking no for an answer, I haven't given up thus far and don't intend to start thinking of doing it in the future.

Back soon,

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[bill440cars]

    Jeff, with YOUR determination, you'll find SOMETHING, surely! 

[BobbyR]

Jeff, hope to hear good news from you soon. Construction is really bad everywhere. I have friends who do what you want to do with 30 year seniority out of work more than they are working. It is also more rigorous that you would imagine. You may want to look into driving an 18 wheeler. The training is less expensive and I hear them advertising for people all the time. Starting pay will be low for a new driver, but some are paying 45 cents a mile after you have some experience.

[seaweb11]

Jeff, hope to hear good news from you soon. Construction is really bad everywhere. I have friends who do what you want to do with 30 year seniority out of work more than they are working. It is also more rigorous that you would imagine. You may want to look into driving an 18 wheeler. The training is less expensive and I hear them advertising for people all the time. Starting pay will be low for a new driver, but some are paying 45 cents a mile after you have some experience.

That's what I was thinking

[tomkimberly]

My info is from the 1970's so YMMV, and the person I a talking about is my step father.
 
He was a Member of Local 12 in Los Angles, operating loaders, dozers, and graders.

The easist way to acquire union membership is to have a sponsor. A employer is the most likely source. Many a young kid (son of a Operating Engineer) followed in his fathers footsteps this way. I too was offered the same deal but decided to go to college and earn a Engineering degee.

As for just operating the equipment, there is much more to these jobs. Most jobs require you the operator to perform all the PM and most repairs including engine rebuilding, hydralic pump repairs, fixing flats and replacing tires on loaders and graders, and repairing the tracks on dozers. You will also be expected to know how to weld (full pen type) and use cutting torches. Most equipment repairs will need to be performed during non job hours so expect 10-12 hours days, 6-7 days a week. Major repairs will most likely happen during bad weather when it is too wet to job on the job site. As the new gy, expect to get all of the sh*t jobs no one else wants to do.

Tom

[Dusthawk]

You may want to look into driving an 18 wheeler. The training is less expensive and I hear them advertising for people all the time. Starting pay will be low for a new driver, but some are paying 45 cents a mile after you have some experience.

I thought about taking up a long haul driving position but for one small problem, I am susceptible to highway hypnosis, which makes it all the more dangerous for me to be behind the wheel of a big truck. Driving 10 to 12 hours at a stretch isn't possible for me.

Tom, I am going to have to delve even deeper into the industry to confirm what you've said. If that is the case then I will have to give up that idea for a new career as well as everything else I've looked into. Nothing I've read so far indicates I would need the ability to repair the equipment as well as operate it. In fact there are also long courses specifically for the care and maintenance of heavy equipment.

I chose this industry particularly because I have no problem sitting in a control cab for hours on end performing a job, manipulating the controls and achieving the goals set out by the foreman. I am physically incapable of lifting more than 30 pounds, I cannot stand, walk or stoop for more than 5 minutes at a time before my back collapses. What I have is patience, attention to detail, experience working hydraulic and winch controls, finesse and excellent dexterity. I have no training of any type for any kind of desk job. Other than that, I am open to suggestions for careers that might work for me. Believe me, I have thought long and hard about my next thirty years of working and spending the rest of my life as a semi-invalid is not an acceptable proposition.

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[BobbyR]

My info is from the 1970's so YMMV, and the person I a talking about is my step father.
 
He was a Member of Local 12 in Los Angles, operating loaders, dozers, and graders.

The easist way to acquire union membership is to have a sponsor. A employer is the most likely source. Many a young kid (son of a Operating Engineer) followed in his fathers footsteps this way. I too was offered the same deal but decided to go to college and earn a Engineering degee.

As for just operating the equipment, there is much more to these jobs. Most jobs require you the operator to perform all the PM and most repairs including engine rebuilding, hydralic pump repairs, fixing flats and replacing tires on loaders and graders, and repairing the tracks on dozers. You will also be expected to know how to weld (full pen type) and use cutting torches. Most equipment repairs will need to be performed during non job hours so expect 10-12 hours days, 6-7 days a week. Major repairs will most likely happen during bad weather when it is too wet to job on the job site. As the new gy, expect to get all of the sh*t jobs no one else wants to do.

Tom

That is correct I did call my friend and it is a very demanding job running heavy equipment. It can be very hard on the back. I would suggest you look into becoming a welder. There are welders in my place that construct brackets and other intricate parts. They sit and work at a bench, and it takes great dexterity to make these fine welds. They get paid quite well also.

[tomkimberly]

Have you considered a job as a air traffic controller?


Tom

[Dusthawk]

Have you considered a job as a air traffic controller?

Quite honestly, no, I know for a fact I couldn't handle the stress of the job. As far as welding, never gave it much thought as I don't have more than Gas, Arc and Mig experience, and not much of those total.

All of my training in life was to be a grunt in one form or another, Auto repair, road service, manufacturing, etc. Office life doesn't sit well, I get severely claustrophobic, and I don't have much other training besides Security but finding a sit down post for security is like finding a mint condition KO Sandcast in a 40 year abandoned barn. I have as much experience operating heavy equipment as I do welding and what time I had in seat I remember as challenging and worthwhile. I have no problem sitting for 8 to 12 hours a day, I have problems when I need to stand for more than 5 minutes or walk more than 50 yards. My lumbar spine is severely compromised so any movement or even just standing puts too much strain on it.

I'm still looking for work I can do, but if it is that much punishment on a back then I guess something else will have to fit the bill. Hopefully I find something soon, I can't wait much more to re-enter the workforce. My settlement will only last so long and I would rather keep a chunk of it in savings rather than living on it.

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[gerhed]

Jeff,

How about driving a school bus.
You need a clean driving record and most large school systems give you the
training needed to get a CDL (commercial drivers license).
Pretty good benefits and larger systems start at around $20/hour.
I've been doing this 6 years now and it's not too bad--summers off too!

Phil

[BobbyR]

Jeff,

I think Phil has a great idea. I actually drove a School Bus for a period of time and I may go back to it when I retire again. Today with power steering and automatic transmissions makes it less strenuous.

Seriously Jeff, I would be cruel to send you off in a direction that will cost you money and nothing can come out of it. The physical limitations you describe makes you a disabled person.

Heavy equipment operators have a high incidence of back strains.  They also have to climb on and off machinery all the time. You must also walk the site to you machine. Unless it is a strong Union job you will be doing your own oiling.

School bus drivers have fairly short runs between stops so the highway hypnosis will not be a factor. I would give it a good look.

[Dusthawk]

It's funny you should mention driving a school bus, I actually tried applying and even went on an introductory ride only to find out I can't stand being around that many kids for that long. We are very rural out here so the bus routes are very long, some more than an two hours. The guy driving me around could see my agitation even though I kept telling him I was alright. He said while I am fine with a few kids at a time driving around that many every day would either drive me nuts or make me explode on the kids, neither of which are good options.

In the mean time I am waiting to hear from a school close to me. I asked about going down to check out the school and the equipment. Within half an hour I should be able to tell for sure if I can handle doing it long term or not. I'm waiting for the admissions head, she is the one who conducts the tours, but she is on vacation in Mexico.

Anyway, looking into other related fields, forklift driver, stuff like that. And an open eye for other opportunities.

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[burmashave]

Dusthawk, it's good to hear from you and to hear that you and I are headed back to work. Heavy equipment looks to be out; however, as Glenn said, I can attest that Northern PA is being dug up at a furious rate. I live just over the border in NY, and if you haven't heard, they've discovered massive reserves of natural gas here. PA gave the go ahead for drilling and the towns south of here have become boomtowns. Now, they're ripping up and rebuilding every major road because they weren't made to handle the loads and traffic of the drilling trucks. It's only a matter of time before NY gives the go ahead for drilling, so there will be follow on work in NY.

Have you considered locksmithing? I know it doesn't pay well; however, it's what my uncle did after he hurt his back and was disabled while working as a machinist on nuclear submarines. He still kept at locksmithing until he was about 70, despite several severe heart attacks. He was really good at doing interesting work, such as picking door locks of high end cars.

The downsides are that it may not pay well, and if you start on your own, you'll need a fair amount of equipment investment. Also, the job isn't what it used to be. There's less of picking car and house door locks and more installation and maintenance of electrical systems. Were I to head down that path, I might look for some way to specialize in some area of growth, such as wireless systems.

[medic09]

Hey Jeff, good to hear from ya!  I've got no ideas, but I'm glad to hear that you're up to exploring your options.  Stick with the PT for sure.  A good PT can help your recovery and improvement probably more than anyone.

[Rocking-M]

I've run lots of stuff. Excavator, my own backhoe, skidder, knuckleboom, large track loader, rubber tired loader, tractors but never a dozer, yet.

Self taught and from what I've seen of those who jump on them, you either have the knack or not, to become a really good operator that
is. Most folks fall in the mediocre range. With the controls on the newer equipment now a days it's much easier to operate.
My backhoe is hydraulic controls while the excavator I rented for a road building job was all electronic. Man I was spoiled by the time
I finished that job. At any rate, I'm sure Unions will require some kind of paper work, but, here in non-union country if you can run it
you can probably get the job. 

[Dusthawk]

Great seeing all you guys again, I sure did miss every one here. Just wanted to add that in there cuz I realize I never said it before.

Anyway, been doing a lot of thinking and talking and it seems the majority agreement is that my back still can't handle doing heavy equipment operating. Today I was asked a question that has me thinking real hard. I was offered a vending machine route today. The guy who I was talking to told me all about his route and what he deals with on a weekly basis. I think it might be worth considering.

He told me a typical day is started with loading his box truck with soda, candy, chips, and cookies. Then he told me that he goes to each of his accounts, checks out the machines to see what he needs for new stock, loads up his cart, loads the machines, cleans them where ever they need cleaning, then empties out the money and fills the change bins. He also removes the expired stock but he says there is very little he has to take back for that. Than he moves onto the next account.

Once in a while he gets a repair call but he has a guy he calls for heavy lifting if need be. He loads up a good machine, takes it to the account, switches the stock to the good machine, loads up the broken one and takes it home to have the repair guy come out.

He said if I were to buy his route he would include all machines, equipment, tools, spare parts and current stock, then take me around to the different accounts to introduce me.

I don't know but it sounds like a pretty good setup. He said that he runs all of his machines in three and a half days of working and is pulling in about $400 a week in profit, after all expenses and fuel. If things work out the way I think they will, I could very easily live on that for a few years while I expand my route to five days. I can cut my costs a bit by getting a minivan. Lower fuel costs, lower maintenance, lower insurance would make a big difference. I could also buy a cheap pickup truck with a liftgate to move machines but use the van for regular route maintenance.

Any opinions about this?

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[seaweb11]

I would say invest 3 1/2 days working with him N/C if you are serious.
It would give you chance to chat with the accounts, do some of the work and get to know the different machines.

You will know how you feel after a bit of that.

[BobbyR]

I would say invest 3 1/2 days working with him N/C if you are serious.
It would give you chance to chat with the accounts, do some of the work and get to know the different machines.

You will know how you feel after a bit of that.

+1

A lot of places I work have vending people and it can be lucrative.It is important that you go with him over several days to get a feel for his route, is it in the Hood etc. The physical demands also need to be looked at. As his helper you will get a true feel for what is involved.

[Rocking-M]

Ditto what they said. BTW BobbyR, did you get a new hairdo or a boob job?

[BobbyR]

Ditto what they said. BTW BobbyR, did you get a new hairdo or a boob job?

Actually both. 

[Dusthawk]

Well, Eric got an offer for his route that he couldn't refuse so I'm out, but, I think it's a very good idea to go with him for several days. The new guy won't take over the route til the first of November so I will ask if I can ride along for a few days to get a feel for it.

I have thought a lot about the lifting needed for this and stopped by my local grocery to test what it would be like to lift the cases of soda repeatedly. I found that a case of soda weighs less than I thought and had no problem moving 10 cases at a time, one by one of course.

This might actually be a blessing in disguise. The cost of living out here is atrocious and I have been looking into moving back east around South Bend Indiana. I have found quite a few houses for less than $30K and that area is thick with factories and office buildings. Starting up or buying out a vending business should be a good bet. I've already found a woman in Niles who has a route just over in Elkhart at three factories she wants to transfer to someone else. She doesn't have time to be traveling as much as she used to. Her listing says she does her route one day a week and takes about four hours from the time she leaves her home. Just for that half a days work she says she pulls in about $150 a week in profits. If I can repeat that so I am running three whole days a week I could be bringing in at least $600 per week conservatively. If any of you know me well enough you'll know I might not be able to limit myself to three days a week, lolol. I might push myself to four or five days, especially if I'm bringing in the coin like she is for four hours a day.

Even after taxes and everything else I can still live comfortably on the profits from four or five days of vending. I'll buy the house outright with my settlement so no mortgage, I just need to worry about taxes and insurance which shouldn't be more than $600 per year around there. Then it's just paying for the utilities and I should be golden. The only other expenses I think I'll have are for Rita and whatever other toys I come up with.

Anyway, I gotta crash, gotta be up early.

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[Raef]

i haven't read all the post because I am running late for work, I'll catch up later I have been in union and non union construction over the last 25 years. it is very bad everywhere depending on who you know and your contacts.

Just a word it the wise, there is no job in construction that I would suggest to someone with any work restrictions, It is not a job for the faint of heart, body or mind regardless of what many people think.

 It is a hard life mentelly and physically, if it is not a passion I would look elsewhere and with education money on the horizon you have many options.

you could always find a niche and  buy truck and small machine.

I'm late more later

Mark

[Dusthawk]

Well, it has been like a week since I was last here. Been a gnarly week for sure. Lots of drama here at the trailer park, stresses galore.

Anyway, went on a ride along with eric before he transferred the route to the new owner. I had no problem moving around what he needed moving around as far as stock, the only problem I had was the coin bag. Man, that was heavy!!!!!!! We stopped by his tiny warehouse/office to count the take and roll all the coins. All told, from 16 machines, we pulled in over $350 in coin and almost $200 in ones. He has a coin counter setup so that made the coin work easier but the ones had to be counted and wrapped in $25 bundles by hand. Not bad for the most part but my thumbs were cramping from counting them all, lolol. He had over $1,000 in coin rolls he had saved up and we needed to load them into the car to deposit at the bank. I don't know how many pounds it was but I couldn't hope to carry even one tray and there were four. We had to borrow a cart to bring them all in, lol.

I have also been busy researching South Bend Indiana. The crime rate is less than a third what it is out here, and house prices are well within my expected budget. I feel it would make the best choice to move out that way. The cost of living out here is almost double what it is there and I have already found and contacted one person wanting to sell their vending route in that area. I could have a new home AND a career by the time I am ready to move there. I have no problem working and actually look forward to it. I will finally have my own business I control, I won't have to answer to a boss who I think is unfit for the job or other employees who are after my position. My clientele will be pretty captive and the more I can offer them the more prone they are to buy what I offer. If the sites I find will allow me to put in refrigerated carousel machines I can offer sandwiches, burritos, bagels, all kinds of perishables and they won't have to leave work for lunch, especially if they have a microwave over to heat things with. My idea was to offer them if they allow the carousel machine I will place a microwave free of charge.

Anyway, I feel very good about how things are shaping up. My attorney said we should have a date this week for court so the settlement could be as little as a few weeks away, God willing. It'll be my Christmas gift to myself, a new house owned outright, no mortgage, no loans, no debt, all free and clear. Consider this your informal invitation to my housewarming party. Date, time, and location to be determined, and no dip trays please, LMAOLMAO.

I even found a box truck with a liftgate on the back for a good price out here so moving would be much easier. It also has a tow hitch so I can tow my car behind for the move. I would have a nice diesel box truck for moving machines so all I would need is a minivan for running the routes during the week. It's a small Isuzu 10 footer so I can haul quite a few machines where they need to go.

Anyway, gotta run, be back soon.

Peace and Long Rides,

Jeff

[burmashave]

I pray it all works smoothly for you, Jeff.