License Tests

Duff

I'm curious as to how others got their license to operate their heavy equipment. Did you go to a school or OJT? Did your state exam consist of both a written and field exam? Anyone ever gotten one in Massachusetts? Any suggestions on how best to prepare?

I've owned a backhoe (CAT 416C) for a little over 3 years and have approx 2000 hours on it working on my 13 acres of property. I've developed most of my skill throgh self taught OJT ... going slow (low rpms) until I gained some proficiency. I'm looking to retire from my job with the Navy this fall and so I want to go after that license this summer.

Here in Mass they call it a Hoisting License with 3 classifications: hoisting, excavation and specialty. The state website doesn't go into much about the actual testing process ... just fill out the app and mail in. Any insight is appreciated.
Duff

jmic

License? Drivers?

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Joe

rino1494

I've never heard of such a thing.

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denick

Duff,

A friend of mine has taken the Mass test and said it wasn't to hard. CT is supposed to be registering machine operators this year or next.


Nick

tgeb

No license requirement down here.

Learned to operate the hard way, one mistake at a time!

Well, usually one at a time sometimes a few mistakes at a time.

Tom

Nothing will wake your ass up like hitting a buried electric or gas line.

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Duff

Thanks Nick. I guess I'm a little surprised some other states don't do it.
Duff

chrisherk

Duff, I got my hoisting lic (2a-1c) thats the one you want it covers all hydralic hoists. I took a 1 day class at the pederson school, then scheduled the state test. It has been the easiest test i've taken thus far. Did you know that any loader that can lift 500 lb or more requires this lic. State law. this includes all skid steers and most yard tractors. So when a homeowner rents a skidsteer, he is operating illegally

Duff

Chris, I saw the Peterson Exam Prep ad in a magazine. I take it you recommend it.

Do they just prep you or do they also schedule the exam at their school? Was it written and field test on the equipoment? Even though I only have a backhoe now I was hoping to get the excavator cert as well for the day when I either buy or rent one.

Thanks for the feedback.
Duff

chrisherk

Its a test prep, then you have to schedule an exam. there are like 5 locations. I will say a lot of the test is common sense. like i said above this lic. coveres any hydraulic hoist, excavator, loader, telehandler, forklift... It doesnt cover dozer, because your not lifting anything. You also have to have a d.o.t. physical in your hand when you take the test. And yes I do recomend taking the class.