Heavy Equipment Operator Course
Heavy Equipment Operator – General Description
For Entry-Level students, instruction is offered on how to operate ALL of the following machines: Backhoe (Backhoe Loader), Bulldozer, Excavator, Front-End Loader (Payloader), & Skid-Steer. The curriculum consists of 21 hours of comprehensive training and 280 hours of practical training. There are two kinds of classes at The LEARN Center: practical and comprehensive. The practical classes are the “hands on” operations that are tailored to the machine of interest.
All practical classes will be conducted in a functioning heavy equipment excavation yard where the student will be immersed into the operation of the machine within a construction setting environment. Some machine exercises are weather dependent (i.e., loading and unloading of machines and materials) and will not be performed in inclement conditions due to safety considerations.
21 Hour Comprehensive Course – A 3-day course comprised of 9 safety classes that are currently offered in our catalog.
280 Hour Practical Course – A 40-day program consisting of the 5 heavy equipment machine types currently offered in our catalog including Backhoe Loader, Excavator, Bulldozer, Front-End Loader, and Skid-Steer. Each machine course will include classes that are currently offered in their current respective curricula.
Heavy Equipment Operator Curriculum – Entrance Requirements
Heavy Equipment Operator students who desire to take courses at The LEARN Center are required to have a HS Diploma or GED or pass an admissions exam (Ability to Benefit) for a $150.00 fee. In addition, individuals must be able to speak and understand basic English, lift 25 pounds, have the level of dexterity and coordination to climb a ladder, and a minimum of 20/40 vision. Students that are taking medications or are under the care of a physician must notify the office prior to registering.
Construction Site and Machine Specific Safety Training
21 Hour Comprehensive Course – A 3-day course comprised of 9 safety classes that are currently offered in our catalog.
Description: Lecture including the safety of operating each type of machine and working around heavy equipment with a focus on the equipment’s operator and safety manuals as well as OSHA regulations and standards, and general construction site safety.
Classes included in this curriculum include:
- SS1 – Worksite Safety Awareness – 4 hours
- SS2 – Rigging for Machine and Material Transport – 4 hours
- SS3 – Trenching, Shoring, Benching and Sloping – 4 hours
- SS4 – OSHA CFR 1926 – Selected Topics – 4 hours
- BL1 – Backhoe Loader Safety Awareness – 1 hours
- ES1 – Excavator Safety Awareness – 1 hours
- FS1 – Front End Loader Safety Awareness – 1 hours
- DS1 – Bulldozer Safety Awareness – 1 hours
- SK1 – Skid Steer Safety Awareness – 1 hours
Total: 21 Hours
Heavy Equipment Instruction
280 Hour Practical Course
A 40-day program consisting of the 5 heavy equipment machine types currently offered in our catalog including Backhoe Loader, Excavator, Bulldozer, Front-End Loader, and Skid-Steer. Each machine course will include classes that are currently offered in their current respective curricula.
Backhoe Loader
Description: Practical and comprehensive training including supervised seat time exercises using a heavy equipment machine type: Backhoe Loader (10 days – 70 hours)
Classes included in this curriculum include:
- BH1 – Backhoe Maintenance & Basic Controls – 3 hours
- BH2 – Backhoe Stick, Boom & Bucket Controls – 7 hours
- BH3 – Backhoe Solo Operation – 7 hours
- BH4 – Backhoe Instruction – 10 hours
- BH5 – Backhoe Solo Operation – 7 hours
- BH6 – Backhoe Instruction – 10 hours
- BH7 – Backhoe Solo Operation – 7 hours
- BH8 – Backhoe Instruction – 10 hours
- BH9 – Backhoe Solo Operation – 7 hours
- XB1 – Backhoe Evaluation – 2 hours
Total: 70 Hours
Excavator
Description: Practical and comprehensive training including supervised seat time exercises using a
heavy equipment machine type: Excavator (10 days – 70 hours)
Classes included in this curriculum include:
- EX1 – Excavator Maintenance & Basic Controls – 3 hours
- EX2 – Excavator Stick, Boom & Bucket Controls – 7 hours
- EX3 – Excavator Solo Operation – 7 hours
- EX4 – Excavator Instruction – 10 hours
- EX5 – Excavator Solo Operation – 7 hours
- EX6 – Excavator Instruction – 10 hours
- EX7 – Excavator Solo Operation – 7 hours
- EX8– Excavator Instruction – 10 hours
- EX9 – Excavator Solo Operation – 7 hours
- XE1 – Excavator Evaluation – 2 hours
Total: 70 Hours
Bulldozer
Description: Practical and comprehensive training including supervised seat time exercises using a heavy equipment machine type: Bulldozer (10 days – 70 hours)
Classes included in this curriculum include:
- DZ1 – Bulldozer Maintenance & Basic Controls – 3 hours
- DZ2 – Bulldozer Boom & Bucket Controls – 7 hours
- DZ3 – Bulldozer Solo Operation – 7 hours
- DZ4 – Bulldozer Instruction – 10 hours
- DZ5 – Bulldozer Solo Operation – 7 hours
- DZ6 – Bulldozer Instruction – 10 hours
- DZ7 – Bulldozer Solo Operation – 7 hours
- DZ8 – Bulldozer Instruction – 10 hours
- DZ9 – Bulldozer Solo Operation – 7 hours
- XD1 – Bulldozer Evaluation – 2 hours
Total: 70 Hours
Front-End Wheel Loader
Description: Practical and comprehensive training including supervised seat time exercises using
a heavy equipment machine type: Front-End Wheel Loader (5 days – 35 hours)
Classes included in this curriculum include:
- FE1 – Front-End Wheel Loader Maintenance & Basic Controls – 3 hours
- FE2 – Front-End Wheel Loader Boom & Bucket Controls – 7 hours
- FE3 – Front-End Wheel Loader Solo Operation – 7 hours
- FE4 – Front-End Wheel Loader Instruction – 10 hours
- FE5 – Front-End Wheel Loader Solo Operation – 7 hours
- XF1 – Front-End Wheel Loader Evaluation – 1 hours
Total: 35 Hours
Skid-Steer Loader
Description: Practical and comprehensive training including supervised seat time exercises using a heavy equipment machine type: Skid Steer Loader (5 days – 35 hours)
Classes included in this curriculum include:
- AA1 – Skid-Steer Maintenance & Basic Controls – 3 hours
- AA2 – Skid-Steer Boom & Bucket Controls – 7 hours
- AA3 – Skid-Steer Solo Operation – 7 hours
- AA4 – Skid-Steer Instruction – 10 hours
- AA5 – Skid-Steer Solo Operation – 7 hours
- XA1 – Skid-Steer Evaluation – 1 hours
Total: 35 Hours