I thought women were emotional, than I tried construction. 😆

Brother, I've been doing this for 23+ years and you just described my life to a T. You are spot on. I'm a foreman and yes, it is just as you said. Yes it's rough, but I wouldn't trade what I do for anything. Definitely following. Thank you very much for the time and effort to get this message out there.

You definitely brought up some very good and realistic points in your video! I am now 23 years old and have been in the excavating industry for between 7 and 8 years working for a small company. Despite be becoming a very trusted operator for my age, and even taking on some management responsibilities, ultimately, I have decided that it’s time for me to take steps to get out of the industry for a few reasons. The main reason is that I finally realized that my personality simply does not fit construction very well. I got sick of the attitudes throughout the jobsites and that pressure from the top. I think the yelling and swearing does absolutely no good. I also am realizing that I want to make more family time and have some health issues I’m working through that don’t make it any easier. That being said, I absolutely love to run equipment and still do it on a very limited basis. I’m transitioning more into farming. While farming is also a physically demanding industry that comes with some long hours, you can do it more on your own terms, and I just like the lifestyle better. Plus I still get a chance to be around equipment, and have even used excavating equipment for farm use. To anybody reading this, don’t let my experience turn you away from an operating career in construction! I just realized I’m personally not particularly the best fit for it, but you may very well be!

You have answered most of my questions in 1 short video. Thank you for taking the time to cover this topic. Greatly appreciated.

You explain it pretty well! 20+ years in various areas of the industry and I couldn't have said it better myself, thank you!

There is NOTHING like the symphonic sound of scrapers, D8s, 245s, working an area cutting,digging,cut&hauling on a job site. The elements . . . being outside in all weather,all seasons. I love having my winters off like you. Option to plow snow. Another very good video.

Dude I've been a operator for 3 years and your info is 100% accurate. Specially getting chewed up by your Foreman if you mess up and they don't say anything if you do a good job. But I love it I do something different every day

I am a 17 year old senior from New Jersey and I just started a equipment operating class. Our instructor showed us this video today and it was great👍🏻 I’m aware of what operating has in store and this was a sweet vid man, happy to have found your channel and can’t wait to watch this series and learn🤘🏻🤘🏻

I just wanted to say thank you for putting this video up. I'm planning to attend college to train as a heavy equipment operator in Canada and every drop of information is always welcomed. I'm gonna be an older student at 28, but from hearing what you said about the industry means its probably a good thing that I have other work experience and a mature mentality. Thank you again for the unbiased video.

Sounds like a day in life of the Army Motorpool

What a VERY well said video my friend! People outside the industry can't even begin to imagine what we deal with on a daily basis.

Never drank monster or coffee and union operator 15 years since the day I turned 18 and prior to that I worked for my father who had a construction company before he passed. Like I've always said my toys just got bigger and so did my sandbox

Awesome first video to this series, super excited to see where this goes!

Well said brotha. 100% spot on with all the info covered.

Thank you for your videos. This is exactly what I was looking for, and wanted to know.

Just got in a apprenticeship program really excited to start thanks for the videos

Thanks for the tips man. I just recently got my Loader ticket and got a job thru a big recycling company. all I did was call a few construction company’s beforehand and they weren’t willing to put on a green person to do an experienced persons job, Operating their heavy machines. So I started emailing a few other company’s. Eventually got a few replies, which was surprising. So I went with a big recycling company in Sydney. lo and behold, a week later I started the job a few weeks later. They had me in the forklift for a bit. Tipping their bins and emptying them in the bays. then few months go by I asked the Site Manager if I could driver the big loaders cause I recently just did the course. 6 months later I’m on the Loader Full Time! All about being proactive and finding work yourself so you get the opportunity and experience through time and taking the initiative. The thing is a lot of companies don’t advertise roles on the internet. something to keep in mind.

Thanks for taking your time to explain your experience on your day to day, made things clear for me 👍

I've grown up in the construction industry (father is a mason contractor and I've been working in concrete and masonry for about 10 years), and everything you've said is spot on. Yes all the trials, but also all the rewards. Especially for how it develops you as a person. Great video, curious to see your future videos about this. ☺

Hey I’m also located in Brighton Michigan. Just started checking your videos out. Good job man. You didn’t scare me away. I can take criticism and can handle pressure. My problem is finding a good company. I’ve found myself being stuck at bad companies that don’t care about anything but money in their pocket. I’m loyal and I’ve been comfortable but at the end of the day I want to feel that my hard work is worth it. Thank you.

I’m going to school for heavy machine operator in a few a few days. Wish me luck

I'm watching this in 2022 from Louisiana and the heat index has easily been 113 lately I work for a smaller contractor as an operator and doing whatever needs to be done and sure days get stressful but to me its so rewarding at the end of the day I'm proud of what I am able to get done yeah there are definitely bad days but they keep me humble and now that i have been in it for a while I can't imagine doing anything else. Good money too

I’m applying this winter for my local operator union. This video has really been super informative for me. I have a paramedic background and am at a time in my life where I’m looking to switch careers to something I can retire from. I appreciate the info!!!

Best job I've ever had in my 966m!

Thank you for this. My uncle inspired to be a HEO in Canada. I plan on becoming a HEO after high school.

needed this refresher lol, month away from graduating trade school for heavy equipment operator, Denver local 9 here i come

thank u for being real, i actually might consider being an operator

Great video. This should be played at all construction interviews before hiring anyone.

Thank you for creating this channel for us I am living in Massachusetts I am physically disabled in one leg basically had my achilles tendon reconstructed something I was born with but I found this is one of my dreams since I was a kid to work on excavators in front end loaders I plan on starting school very soon and I appreciate you giving us a heads up. When you want something bad enough developing thick skin is not a problem. But you never know until you're in the situation. Please keep these coming you got a permanent subscriber for me please give us the tips on how to deal with things also I really appreciate you

Thank you man, I’m from a underdeveloped country in Africa that’s just about to start infrastructure. I am a Nationalist and want to build my country. I worked full time for 2 years after highschool and I have been lost with finding a career path for me. I believe heavy machinery & construction is what Interests me. You have a subscriber & I wish you the best man. Keep making content ✊🏾

Summer = seventh level of hell lol know that feeling. Am 42 and looking into it I had a job hauling coal as a trucker from mine to mine, saw those HUGE dump trucks the size of a courthouse and I’ve been in awe ever since. So I’m now looking into the job, I have no expectations but would love to run one one day.

One time my superintendent made a city inspector cry on our job site. Thats something I wasn't expecting to see that day!

I'm retired and was a operator over 20 yrs, just watch out for your lower back

You are definitely right in your video. I operated heavy equipment for a mining corporation which was much easier than working for a construction contractor The construction contractors that worked on the mining property told me that a bad for me in the mines would be a good day for them operating the same equipment. I did retire after 43 years of operating a bulldozer and was glad I did stay working with the mines.

Thanks for your honesty

Now is the time to get into this. We can’t get any good hands. If you sign on as a laborer and stay awake and off your phone, you will be trained up and given everything you need to succeed. Operators are in the trench helping other operators just to get the job done.

your videos are encouraging. Im doing trucking and equipment

Sounds like Marinr Corps all over again! You sir, have sold me!

I'm from Africa Zambia 🇿🇲 I have enjoyed your video. I'm planning to go in this industry of Excavating thanks for the tips 🙌🏾

That respect part is so true. The first company I worked for, all the guys tried to be shitty to me and get me to quit, they actually had bets on how long I’d last (I’ve been told that by several of them in the years since). Spoiler i outlasted all of them including my foreman, and realize I loved every minute of the work at the company, and can say it was truly life changing and one of the best places I’ve ever worked. It’s true the dirt really does get into your blood. And you do and can really make lifelong friends in the industry.

47 years of construction, you summed up better than anyone in the past. Number one is thick skin ! You can learn the rest!

This is very well put. If you’re are thinking of becoming an operator this video is for you

I am waiting for my training to start. I applied for the operators union of Orange County, Ca. I'm super stoked to get into it.

This honestly perfect for me because I considered the military but I just need to be able to come to my own home at night and I can do that with this and I’m okay with that

I'm going to trade school for Heavy Equipment, im loving it so far!

You sir are doing an excellent service in reminding me just how good my job actually is right now why I absolutely should not get into the construction industry. This will be my go to video in the future of bad days. If you're not fighting fires and questioning whether or not your in hell, your probably working in the construction industry. 🤣 Edit: No disrespect intended, that's just what I took from this video. While I wasn't expecting an easy job and happy days, I sure as heck didn't understand the crap level and reality of this occupation.

😂😂😂 hell yea. The porter John and the energy drinks! Right in point😂😂 can smell that funk from a mile away and hood luck keeping your lunch down when they finally clean it after a month😂😂

My dad has over 30 years of experience. He doesn’t have a certificate but he sure is great when it comes to this. It’s good money. I’ll be attending school for Heavy Equipment Operators. I’m 17 but I will be 18 soon. Need to start young.

Monsters and porta shitters. Ok, he checks out as legit! 😂

Listened to this for shits and gigs and your spot on… I’m stuck in a roller for the day (at least it has a cab) and as you were talking about working outside , a fox ran across the pad..(most excitement I had all day 😂😂)

Your absolutely right. Sometimes the people that chew you out are the ones you learn from the most and ironically become your closest friends. This industry in not for everyone sometimes you have to take it with a grain of salt and move on.

Listening to this video on blu tooth in a John Deere front end loader lol 🤘🏼 it's great but it's all my job has, I'm trying to branch out but it's tough with no other equipment experience

I worked in my stepdads dump truck and excavation company growing up and thought I was in the military.

Watched a few of your videos now and you haven’t been wrong about anything. Nice to find a place to learn more about it that speaks truth.

I was a tanker in the Army for 3 years, and I signed up for a heavy equipment school in New Hampshire in February. Shit sounds like the Army, except a little chiller.

Everybody needs to see this video

That bit about shiting in a port a potty, in 100 degree weather is fucking gold💯 best information about a job ever given!!!

I love this industry, I'm a dozer operator and yes,, feelings can get hurt but you have to suck it up and hopefully learn from it!

Before I was a trucker I was a irrigation technician and a farmer my dad runs a farm so I wasn’t ever the hired hand cause I was family but it was in Texas and 110 degrees is rough but you get one hell of a tan hahah

Awesome !!

I got laid off after 12 years a wireline operator this coming Monday i will go to a 3 week school for heavy equipment operator im actually looking forward to it cant wait.

Been in the business for 7 months now. Gotta say not being cooped up in an office dealing with drama every single day, and the constant stress is one hell of a switch up. But being around equipment like a EC350 Excavator and a 700L dozer, operating a 8345R tractor & pan.... just those are big to me so I can only imagine a 390 excavator. One other thing is, most job sites where you're moving dirt thats going to be used on house pads/etc if it rains... you aren't running and during the rainy seasons you could end up missing a bunch of hours as well. The cutting up with coworkers on jobsites is fun but of course you're going to have your hotshots and know-it-alls. Ive been targeted by several people, just trying to get me fired because I do what im told when I'm told and I'm moving up the chain pretty quick because of it, and they don't like me. But even with all the negatives this is still the most fun in a job ive ever had.

Thank you!

Very interesting and insightful. Liked the emphasis on dealing with people on sites, this is a skill in itself, mastering the art of not taking offense and why understanding why foreman etc behave how they do. If you don’t master this then you’ll be arguing and complaining every other day

Monster and tash food...yes brother. Im your construction brother here in Nebraska operator for mainline in a 490.

Mann this video is on the money. U explained everything to the T. 👍🏾Jus by wat u said, i know u r a real experienced operator construction guy.. perfect explanation

How does one even start? I have no friends or family doing this but it's something that has caught my eye for a while. Thanks for the information!

I currently work on a airport and operating the machinery is my favorite job. I don't know if there's any similarity between the jobs but I have been really considering making a career change.

As a Lowboy driver and operator for a construction company I can say what he is saying is the truth, you got to have thick skin and not let it get to you but not everyone can or might not even want to do it

Great video, unfortunately I can't show it at my middle school due to language in it. I would love to see you create a video that can consolidate some of your videos into about thirty minutes that is school friendly.

I would also like to add Excavation can be very Very much like sculpturing. Especially if you are doing final grade And landscape. You may be making mounds with your worst dirt and then covering With different materials around the job site. That's requires A vision when you 1st walk up. to figure out how you're gonna move a 100 or 200 t and make it look like a Planned landscape. The best reward you'll get is when an owner or a builder Smiles. And throws money at you.

I burst out laughing at the part when he said "you know you're doing a good Job when nobody is bitching at you".... cause its true AF

Cool guy man, I've been thinking which trade to get into and I just keep coming back to HEO. I actually do have a question, which piece of equipment seems to be in highest demand in terms of skilled operators? I enjoyed the video and just made me wanna do it even more now.

100+ degree heat Porta shitter, and energy drinks? Sounds like the army, but not nearly as bad.

I have a psychology degree have been a forklift operator most of my life and want to venture into either construction equipment or trucking.

You paint a very bleek picture of something I wanted to try. My son rented a Deere 220 and I loved running it and had never been in one before but I refuse to sale my soul. Thanks for the heads up.

Work really slowed down, if not died for me as a electrician, I always liked tonka toys in the sandbox but this helped me quite a bit, thanks

Nice video , all what you said is correct, the real life of heavy equipment operator, maybe made a video like this in tagalog.

It's all about MiO my friend. I run a Caterpillar 836 K at a local landfill and its a must have haha.

really feeling that porta john comment this summer 😔

I’m getting out of the army in about 7 months been thinking about this I worked around big machines and loaded construction equipment that the army uses on trucks but driving isn’t my thing

I worked construction for a total of 6 years and the only reason I got out of the industry entirely was because I got tired of working for small companies. You were always short handed and put up against unrealistic deadlines and each job was one shit show after another (lower pay meant less qualified guys, so out of a 4 man crew 1 really knew what was going on and that gets old trying to carry the show). So I went into fabricating and am now a journeyman welding and fabricating inspector, long story short, it blows (it’s hands down the most thankless mind numbing job. You get paid ok but it just sucks). I’m thinking about going back into excavating because I really miss running the equipment, only this time I’m going to apply for local 18 here in Ohio.

Ever since i was kid my dad would sometimes take me with him while he operated my grandpa equipment and it would always draw my attention i now work in construction but not as an operator but i always see the people operating the equipment and always stop and stare and would love to try to get in that industry but i dont know how

So I was military for a min then out of that did 15 years as a chef. Covid came along really hurt food industry so I bailed. Had a friend said u need a job I got the man to talk to. Excavating company. Guy calls me, I tell him I have no experience in this line of work (haul truck is what I was hired for) he said u willing to learn I said yeah he said ur hired. Been there for almost 6 months now I have done haul truck, compactor, loader, skid steer, played on some track hoes (not dug just raked), and today was my first day on a dozer. Also laid storm, water, and sewer pipe. And I would say this video does explain well what to expect. I'm so glad I got out of food and into this work. Everyone says I'm crazy but I like it, yes there are days I want to leave but then there are days like today where I was smiling like a kid on his first time doing something, and I've told everyone including you.

It is cool man. I wouldn’t wanna do anything different.😎

Excellent video, just what I was looking for. I have my application submitted to the OE apprenticeship program up here in WA state, and a couple of buddies looking to get me a company sponsor going into the program. Just like you said, if I'm not learning something, I get bored as shit. Working in manufacturing is a never ending rat wheel with absolutely no sense of accomplishment. With time I think I'll do well. I look forward to the challenge.. and more videos! Thanks!

Thank you for the honesty and advice, i’m 18 years old and i’m going to vocational school for 2 years to study heavy equipment operation but i recently had a spinal fusion done which is a major back surgery. Do you think that this will stunt my path into construction? edit: just watched the 3rd video in the series and you said you do not recommend going to school for this career, the courses i’m taking at my school are mostly hands on and on the field learning will this make a difference between me and other graduates from different schools or will i just be looked at as having to be retrained too?

Im almost 12 years old now, I have been working with my dad at his jobs with the mini excivator and I am the best out of him and all of his workers. Ive been cleaning up super trashed yards and and destroying trash and digging holes for stuff. I think its a lot of fun and I really want to get into it when I get older. I dont really want anything to do with school even though I am very smart. Do you have any tips for operating or how to get into the union? Or even start my own buissness? Ive been loving machines since I was little and always looked up to them and said wow. And I loe fixing them and working on them. Ive been working really hard and I see what you mean about the weather! On super hot days you sweat alot man, thanks for this vid, keep up the great work!

19 year old from Michigan as well, thinking about becoming a crane operator

Hi, Diesel and Iron. A GREAT video telling it like it is. Thank you. IF you have scared anybody off, that is probably for the best 'cos they likely would not have made it anyway. As you said, it is NOT for the faint-hearted. I've only been a full time heavy equipment operator for 56 - yes, FIFTY SIX - years. I like to kid myself that my apprenticeship is progressing fairly well. In all that time, I have never hadda job. I have always been a big kid inna BIGGGG sandpit being PAID to play with other people's toys. Does it get any better than that?????????????????????????? BUTTTTT, I have NEVER hadda drink of monster, not even a sip. And I try to eat well but I'm not a health food nut - being healthy is just the slowest way to die. I 'figgered' out way back when I first started azza full time operator that if you ever stop learning in this game, you are DEAD, at least from the neck up. As I see it, you don't need a college education to be a heavy equipment operator. BUTTTT, you DO need to be pretty intelligent, you DO need to be able to think things through and foresee possible consequences and you DO need to be able to visualize the finished product in order to be able to work towards it. In reality, a college education, at least from a LOTTTT of modern colleges, could be a distinct handicap 'cos you could have been taught that you should be offended at almost everything. Still on 'edge-u-mack-ay-shun', I must be wunna the slowest learners EVVA. I have been attending the 'University Of Hard Knocks' for over 76 years and haven't managed to 'graduate in even a single subject' yet. I did 'figger' out a while back though that there izza graduation ceremony - - - - - 'cept they call it a funeral. One of the most important things I think I can add is that, to be REALLY good at operating any machine, you NEED to be able to 'THINK' that machine, to get to a point where the machine is an extension of yourself and you are letting the machine do all the work while you guide it. I have been told several times while operating several different machines that I look like I am just sitting up there letting it happen. THAT could be said to be the hallmark of a good operator, that he or she makes it look EASY. Just a part of my 0.02. Thanks again for telling it like it is. You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.

That monster drink though 🤪🤪🥴🥴 Bins are full of em on site haha

I’m a soils engineer and this is all 100% accurate

Thank you for putting the truth out. Does this tips apply for Agricultural equipment handlers?

I’m really thinking of being a heavy operator I’m applying at any school that does that

I’m retired now and I couldn’t sit in the shit shack in the heat of the summer. Started crane operator ran old whirlybird wwIi ship crane in export timber. Then heavy construction spent at least 1/2 of the 40 years in temp lodging and missed a lot of family events birthdays ect and every job your expected to complete faster & cheaper and that will never change

I start Heavy equipment operator school at ATS in about a week and a half and I was all hyped up for it and now I'm just super nervous about it lol.

I joined the marines and got this as my mos ship out in 2 months

Wait u guys work in the snow too? Damn maybe I need to rethink things, working while it's freezing🥶❄️ sounds crazy

Just wanted to say awesome video I’m an older guy 49 I’ve been working on automotive all the way to heavy equipment for caterpillar and John Deere ag equipment and earthmoving ran my own construction business for many years family construction business served in the military in the Navy tried to go Seabees but evidently they didn’t have any room even though I was qualified for eight of the 9CB positions or rates But I was thinking about getting into the operators union and or this field and you are great at describing and expectations of this career field sounds a lot like the Navy head on a swivel Formans are usually pissed off at you gotta have tough skin the environment can be nice and I can really suck The hours suck definitely used to that on the flight deck 19 hours a day in the middle of the Persian Gulf but I don’t want to get discouraged I went from working on these things to wanting to operate them and I would hope that someone would comment back and give me a few pointers On how to do this what equipment to specialize in or if it’s all around you need to learn every single piece of equipment anyways God bless all of you you guys work your ass off I hope to someday to join you

I just wanted to say thank you so much for making these videos because as a 14 yr old that has always loved heavy equipment and had the talks with my dad who used to operate a 980c about the job all the time and he has said alot of the same stuff you have with the job but its really cool to hear it from another person and what your saying is really helpful for me making the call to go into the carer so thank you for moving me more in the heavy equipment carer path. also is there any advice you have on getting like a summer job or something just to get a taste of the industry?