I was told when I started in construction, buy a good pair of a boots and a good bed. when your not in one, you're in the other.

As a high school construction teacher, I really appreciate your videos. High schoolers know everything and its hard to explain what the real world will be like after high school. You tell it like it is and don't mince words. Thank you.

Tomorrow is my first day as an operator. I just wanna say thank you for your videos and advices. You've given me a lot of confidence to face my first steps in the industry. Greetings from Spain!

With over 20 years in waste and now starting my own dirt and land management company, I am hunting down all manner of videos for insight. This is THE best and most informative video that I have come across in years. And I have seen some good ones. Thank you for sharing this incredibly valuable information and the level of detail that you gave it. I can’t thank you enough.

This a good advice new people but, you forget the must crucial item of all....... toilet roll, I done a 16 hour dig today and there was no portable toilets lol. Great video man this will help a lot of people.

Great vid!! I started as a laborer I'm now a equipment operator for 20yrs small jobs to big mostly all underground utility work. You are very smart about treating the laborers with respect, they can make a good operator look great and make a great operator look like a fool in a hurry, treat your labor great get to know one another well so he knows what your thinking in how you operate and as the operator you in turn know your laborer, his hand signals, and by all means don't work him to death get off your machine and help its not beneath you. GREAT VIDEOS!!!!

Great Video! I'm a 25 year veteran and most of what you're saying is 100% correct. It took me a long time to master various equipment. Around 10 years ago, I moved into management (off and on) and will still get on the equipment. As a superintendent, I have a few rules that I will enforce (I'm not a screamer. If it gets to that level, something is SERIOUSLY wrong) pretty quickly. All I ask of guys who work with (for) me are that they stay safe, productive, and willing to learn. I don't tolerate anything unsafe, people drinking or doing drugs at work, and for damn sure I CAN'T STAND whiners or tattletales. The best way to stay on my good side, show up on time, do your job, be safe and productive, and communicate with me if there's a problem. If you need help, ask. The only dumb questions are the ones that never get asked.

Great video. Everything said, is definitely true. I've been a heavy equipment operator for 30 years, an I enjoy watching your videos. It's good to see a person passing down knowledge. That's what we're supposed to do. We all learn from others intelligence.

Yes, this video has been helpful, this channel is supremely helpful. Very descriptive, covering lots of areas and very relaxed manner of speech. Doesn't come across as "superior" and that's huge. I also like that as far as I scroll through the comments, the maker of this channel has responded to every comment. I LOVE that. It's true interaction that would cost lots of money and lots of the operators time which most don't have from day to day. THANK YOU!

Every apprentice needs to watch this video. You are spot on 100%. I just wish the rest of the bunch in the building trades would adopt this work ethic.

One of the biggest rules in any trade is to always stay busy! Great video 👍🏼

Pro tip. If you use a reusable water bottle with a cap, put enough water in so that if you lay it on the side the water doesn’t reach the cap. Freeze on its side then top off in the morning. Keeps water cold and melts as you drink. Doesn’t clog the neck with ice chunks. And don’t forget your sun glasses!

DO NOT!!!!!....I REPEAT!!!!...DO NOT!!...PACK A LOT OF FOOD WHEN OPERATING!!!! You will end up sitting on all that shit and eventually the belly will come. One big meal along with a good bit of light snacks you can eat in moderation. Granola, fruits and cut veggies, trail mix and protein bars are my go to. Stay healthy guys.

Another good tip is to do a drive by of the site you will be working day before your first day! Helps you to plan your trip aswell as know where your showing up to and such! And you find the nearest Tim Hortons to your site!

I am a step one apprentice, starting my first job next week on a dirt roller. A bit nervous to be honest. This was a great video.

May be off topic but you are a great communicator what's needed in families for boys to be shown how grow into decent men.

This was such an encouragement! Thank you. Wish I saw this before I started my first job in the industry last week. I felt so out of place, like everytime I'd come and ask what to do next - I'd feel really annoying. And I'd feel guilty for not knowing something because I took short course before. The way that you said keep going, ask questions, stay humble - helped a lot! Thank you. The thought of quitting had ALREADY crossed my mind, and I'd be so disappointed because yes - it's a fun job. Plus I'm kind of following my dad's footsteps, so he'd be sad if I quit too I think. Lol, already hard enough to be a woman in this industry 😅

First time I’ve watched you on KZfaq and you’re making a lot of sense,hope the new arrivals to the industry take head

Thank you for the great advice. Im trying to get a job operating heavy equipment at a coal mine near me. Job interview is next week and Im excited. I have always enjoyed operating equipment every opportunjty I get.

You touched on valuable points. Hope those who are new to the industry, and watched this video, really heard what you said. Excellent bro!!

Watched this video as a truck driver who's gotten into floating for an excavating contractor; loved the term 'stick puller'! That's me 100%. Learned a lot from your video. Thanks!

My first comment ever, the knowledge you passed on was great, no matter where you are in your career, fantastic.

The lunchbox! Often neglected but vital for energy - first time I’ve heard that one. Well done 👍

The most comprehensive and enjoyable 1st day videos I’ve ever seen! Way to go brother! Inspiring!

Been with a non union excavation company for a year or so and just got in the operators union, very excited and ready for my call 💪

Awesome vids brother and what to expect. Everyone’s different and learns different. Been an operator 12 years now pipe dirt now the landfill. Biggest thing for me is learn look and listen. My first day green was nothing I expected and now I try to teach any new operator what I’ve learned and to pace themselves cause it comes with what you take away learn and seat time.

Man this is so accurate lol ive been doing this kind of work over 10 years now. Starting a new job tomorrow and still feeling nervous. Thanks for all the advice ! A couple of the do not do's had me laughing like the grades stakes lol so true

Very good video! I’ve got over 30 yrs operating equipment on job sites. Of course watch the good operators, every second your not operating to learn. When that good operator is not busy, ask questions! Most guys will be helpful. But know this. There are golden boy hero’s and will be rude, and tell you to figure it out! Or, there are the operators who feel threatened that you will end up with their job, and will give you bad advice so you screw up!!! But you’ll figure out which ones you can trust real quick. I met some guys that were awesome and helped me tremendously! And some operators went with me to have a few beers, and then you can learn a ton! As you said, develop a thick skin! I loved being an operator, and that’s what it will take to be good and successful. Thanks for the great video for the rookies!

I will be showing this at my next orientation for new employees.

I wish you were my instructor, much better than my course instructor who didn’t show me how to operate the machines, didn’t even give me tips and didn’t tell me how the industry works. You have definitely helped me learn about the industry. Cheers!!!

9 years now with the same earth work crew started at the bottom now running everything mainly dozer. This video is GREAT advice for anyone willing to take it in especially new operators. Awesome vid bud!

Love it buddy roe. I'm a 12 year old when I watch your video's and that's a good thing. I still have so much to learn.

My case loader has a cooler built in it with ac ran to it. Works great in summer and in winter keeps your food fairly warm good video thanks

Red Wing Loggers. Looking at pair by the door watching this. Love em, first pair lasted 5 years working 12s outdoors. I'm on my second pair they are still in solid condition and approaching 5 years old as well. Can't stress how much I must have saved not buying cheap 30 dollar boots every 3 months.

My lunch box has more tools than food in it nowadays. Like tape measure, ribbon, markers, knife, notepad, extra socks, and 1 sandwhich

Great advice on this one. Never lie about your experience whether it be a task on the job or your experience on a piece of iron. You will be exposed instantly if your bullshitting. Not knowing is ok the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask

You speak so well no other videos out there like these, thank you

I've been in the construction industry for a little over 20 years now the best boots you can absolutely buy are the brahmas from Walmart $19.96. You'll replace them about every 3 months but the $300 Wolverines you will replace them about every 5 months.

I just was offered a heavy equipment operator job. They said they only work 5 tens. It seems to be a smaller company if they lied to me and it turns out to be 16 hours a day everyday I'll be so mad. The 1st thing I stress to every job is that I'm dedicated to my son and I won't give up that time for him for anything. I'm up north in Michigan so thanks for the honesty.

If your boots are all leather oil regularly. Oil them the night you get them. Let them sit an hour or so then re oil. Let your boots dry. Keep them on a drier or by a heater vent. Heard a university study or maybe a promotional “study” that 3 boots when rotated to dry last as long as 5.

Yea im coming from a military/law enforcement/ private security industry into something new. This industry has always intrigued me.

I'm a first year apprentice, about to start my first contract next week and it's a pretty major one. I have been combing through every video I can find to get ahead of the game a bit in my apprenticeship. Every one of your videos is, by far, the best put together; best explained & most informative (consistently too). Thank you so much for sharing this content!!! I know this video is kinda old but I was hoping you could offer some advice or tips for me on this contract I have coming up. I'm going to be an oiler on a Liebherr LR1600 crane. Ive never even touched a crane in my life!! Super excited but terrified I won't be great at it. Any tips? anything at all? pretty please? thanks in advance much luv & respect!

Hey man thanks alot I’m starting tomorrow pretty much my first official "operator position" only have like 6 months experience in bigger equipment and yes this did take some jitters away thanks brother.

So glad i found your videos. I've just completed my training for machine operating and i have an opportunity to try out a 35 ton excavator and get a good foot in the door with starting this new career path. I have a few nerves considering I've only used a 1.7 ton before and that I'm a chick, but you've really helped me look forward to the job ahead. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 😊👩‍🏭

An older video but really helped me! I got got offered a job 4 hours away from where I grew up doing heavy machinery! A lot of stuff I didn’t know about that I’m sure will help me a lot!

Another great way to fill your downtime is to clean your cab out. If you don't take care of your equipment nobody will let you run the nice new stuff.

You give really great advice man appreciate it !

Great videos my brother. I'm a 23 year member of IBEW 769 as a equipment operator. I'm a tramp too... Book 2 for local 47 and 396 and soon 1245...i love my job and the trade! God Bless all my Brothers and Sisters!!!!

Absolutely, I think your completely on point.

Wow! You must be helping out a ton of guys with all that solid map-of-what's-ahead information. I wish I would have had access to something similar when I was green. You showed me some things! I'll say to you that the why would have been more important to me than the what. Great, great, great help for you new guys out there.

This is the gold standard for instructional operator videos. Whoever gave thumbs down obviously came here by mistake. Not sure why you went to sales though? $$$$??

Two things wear sun screen and never ever ever stick a grade stake back into the dirt. If you hit a grade stake lay in down and tell somebody. I might be expensive now, but it could be way more expensive later.

I just ran across your KZfaq channel what an awesome Channel I have no idea why I have never ran into this channel before the newbies out there and the people don't know you covered all the bases. I wanted to be an operator since I was old enough to watch so out of high school I found a home builder that had a John Deere 450 that he used for house push-out and fine grading the new homes and had no time to do it himself anymore the only experience I had was that I did go a heavy equipment School that just gave me enough knowledge to get by I stuck with that for this summer. The next summer I work for a contractor clearing, spring of the following year my dad let me $6,500 a used John Deere 300 tractor loader backhoe and I put in side sewers around home because I could not afford a trailer and truck. that fall they built a huge Shopping Center 1972 my neighbor across the street was the foreman for the plumbing contractor I went to work there not knowing much of anything and they put me with a Plumbing laborer name was George golden and had been working with plumbers for 20 years the foreman paired me up with this guy and this guy taught me everything he taught me the basics what you just went over including all the do's and do not he worked behind me for every foot of ditch that I dug and hand shoveling 2 grade that was most awesome experience. Seeing this video reminded me of that I went on to have my own excavating company in 1972 until I retired in 2018 I am now 70 years old. You and your Channel is definitely is all there is to know to be a equipment operator. I enjoyed that job and lifestyle everyday of my life and could hardly wait to go to work everyday even though around here that means working in the rain oh how I wish I could go back to work again I would just love to go back to playing in the sandbox again you and your channel are awesome. Your channel is definitely all there is to know about becoming a professional equipment operator, thanks so much I will watch you religiously LOL

That is all solid advice I wish I would have had these videos when I first got in I start off at the yard boy my uncle is a mechanic at a union company and his boss took a liking to me got me in the operators 24 years later two knee surgeries back surgery this industry is rough on the body but it's all good the toughskin thing is definitely a great piece of advice cuz I don't see it in these kids these days unfortunately I say that like I'm old and I'm not even that old my body feels like it but you know it's all good have a good day keep up the good work bud

For guys starting out $250 on work boats might not be necessary. You could go buy some $35 work at Walmart. Buy a couple pairs of them keep on your cab or your trunk. That’s one of them situations where your feet get wet you can, your boots for you now I’ll be in a machine where your feet never touched the ground

I wish I had seen this video 3 years ago, lol. I probably would have had a better experience in construction. I'm headed back into the field this time with a better understanding and respect for the industry.

I know it’s not the healthiest. But I eat protein bars and couple oranges throughout the day and then eat a GOOD dinner when I get home.

You forgot to add: be prepared to labor as much as the laborers, if not more!!

Again great vid, honesty wish I saw this before my 1st day lol, but the tough skin thing is a fact...i learned that the hard way

You didn't mention it, but thank you for reminding me....sunblock!!!

My advice: take a look around at all the faces you see - you’re going to see them more than you see your family, so you best leave the attitude at home and find a way to get along with each other. Hours of work: “from dark to dark” lol DONT BE LATE! Smokers: find out the site/company policy and stick to it or you’ll get more grief than is worth it. Also, always have enough supplies/lighters on hand especially if you can’t leave site. Above all else, DONT BE LATE

MSHA will not let you hang anything free swinging in the cab. Everything for a coal mine or MSHA has to be able to be strapped down tighten down or fitted down in a designated space in the cab of your machine.

19:00 I've always made it a point to learn the jobs of the guys around me so i know what helps them, and what slows them down. It's a night and day difference when you gel smoothly with the team around you, and when you are getting in each other's way.

Great advice, watch everything.... Best way to learn.

Magna cool makes the best lunch box ever! It sticks to the machine and will never come loose!!

I'm a couple of years late, but thank you so much for this video. Back in 2012 I was a thin-skinned 18 year old kid who thought he knew everything and tried to break into this industry. I thought that a 6 week training program was enough to get me ready, but no. Absolutely not. I did not know ANY of the things you said in this video, and they were all true! It's no wonder why I only lasted a month lol. But now, with your videos, thicker skin, and 10 years of maturity under my belt, I'm going to try again. Wish me luck gents!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ADVICE IT REALLY HELPED, ICALLED MY DAD AND UNCLES AND ASKED TO TAKE ME ON A TOUR WITH THEM, ILL LOOK OUT FOR GRADE STAKES

I am at the final stage of gettin accepted into the local 18 operators union. I really hope I do get accepted in. I really wanna start my career and better my life. I have been a year and a half sober of weed now have been exercising as much as I can so I am prepared for the labor. I will do my best and I realize we all must start at the bottom and go to the top.

I am here because I just discovered your channel awesome by the way. I have two years of construction experience mostly in the labor department.

Hey man keep making these videos, going to my first interview and it will also be a try out/Operator test and this video makes a difference. What about PPE is it a company issue or bring your own?

Bring a water jug. Yeah, bring a lunch yeah. I don't understand the part about the ring gear because when it rains real hard.A job site turns to shit when you go home

What an excellent vid all around. Great suggestions, great presentation and great quality to listen to and watch. Impressive! Thank you.

Bloody awesome advice. Rock on Bro.

I'm nervous but I don't shy away from challenges

The ##1 thing you need to bring is your NCCCO!!!CARD #2 THING IS YOUR MED CARD, WITH OUT THOSE YOU WILL NOT OPERATE,,,,

Thanks for the video. I like your matter-of-fact approach to explanations. 16 hour days including weekends? I think you’ve convinced me this is not the industry I’d like to be in after all. My life priorities are not work, they are spending time with my children. Thanks for the honesty.

Not gonna lie, i couldnt help but take it personally when you said stop smoking weed! 😂

I’ll go ahead and suggest a little sunblock for your nose. 🤣. Really enjoying your videos.

Awesome video pal. Watching from " God's county" Yorkshire England. Labourer on sites from 17 years old. 26 and finbaky took the plant plunge. (360, forward dumper). Had couple seat time. Nerve racking racking up to new site operate machinery. Cheers for the video

As I've had my morning meds the weed thing really caught me off guard. Funny.

Bros tan line is WILD

I just watched this with my husband, first and foremost I’d like to say you are an awesome gentleman who has the qualities we need in bosses and foremans. When I was a lot younger I used to drive double bellies in the construction industry and the mindset you have would’ve been refreshing to come across. I have a question my husband’s now 55 years old and has always in one way or another been affiliated with the industry since he was old enough to work. He’s had his CDL over 30 years now and is thinking about going to heavy equipment school. He wanted to 20 years ago but we had small children and it wasn’t an option 😞 So fast forward, is anyone going to really hire a 55 year old? Trying to be realistic before we drop a ton of money on this school.

55 years old and ever since I got the first job at the age of 17 back around 1986 I figured that if you wanted to have a real job and make a decent living you can't smoke dope...👍👍

A change of clothes and shoes in your truck is a good idea in case you get covered in something.

I respect your words you speak with genuine words

Hey 👋 I'm heavy equipment operator from North Africa

Gallon Yeti Jug is awesome

Awesome video.Wanted to this all my life and I never took the initiative to do it.Never pushed myself to pursue my dream.Now at 57 I definitely have huge regrets!

Those days where you are completely defeated as he mentioned do not give up I got lucky to get a haul truck job at 19 but didn’t have the mental strength to get over one day where all I did was screw up and I quit l. One of the worst decisions ever. If you find a good site and a good foreman do not throw it away

Litt.. good video brotha

Thank you for perfect advice!

Thank you so much, I'm an old guy that wants to get into the industry.

Great video! I can't wait for my first day

I run an excavator loading brush i don't get tested i agree with the work boots i like keen boots the pare i have now are 4 years there amazing!

Great info. just found this channel. I just got out the military doin equipment operating and wanting to transfer to civilian sect.

Going from military/medical field to this hopefully soon!

Thanks bud just for7nd you afew weeks ago I love your Chanel

I am a heavy equipment operator in the Pa Army National Guard and trying to get foot in the door as a operator since i have the Army's school.

Hey man I have a question Im the one who commented about being an operator with a disability so I have a job coach would it be a good idea for me to see if we could get me in to do a job shadow with a equipment operator or do you think that wouldn't be possible due to the size of the cab? I really want to get into this industry but I need to find out as much information as possible

Thank you for doing what you're doing.