This course is specifically designed for all personnel who are required to operate a 180° Excavator as part of their work and aims to provide them with a thorough understanding with the relevant operational and safety requirements. It is suitable for both those with little or no experience and those wanting to formalise previously gained experience in order to gain a recognised qualification.

The course duration is 10 days and will take place at our CPCS approved test centre at Kiveton Park.

The course contents are:

• Basic construction, names of components, purpose of controls and gauges
• Use of handbook and other information sources including legislation and Approved codes of Practice
• Pre-use, starts, running checks and close down procedures
• Preparing the excavator for site and road travel (public highways)
• Travelling the excavator over different terrain, including rough, undulating ground, using different wheel drive and steer combinations
• Travelling up and down substantial inclines
• Manoeuvring, progressing to confined spaces in a forward and reverse direction
• Position and set up the machine to excavate
• Excavating ground to line and level (use of traveller)
• Carry out minor adjustments and routine service procedures
• Soil and material characteristics
• Loading vehicles and hoppers with front shovel and backhoe
• Functions for the 4:1 bucket
• Back filling, grading, spreading and levelling different types of materials
• Changing attachments
• Placing the excavator in and out of service condition
• Loading and unloading procedures on and off a transporter
• Assessment

Course outcomes:

On completion of the course your employee will be able to:

• Know the capabilities of the machine, its purpose and limitations
• Know safety precautions necessary for the correct operation of the machine
• Be able to interpret the information provided by level pegs, profiles etc
• Be able to carry out effective routine adjustments and servicing procedures when necessary