10 Jobs That Require Operating Large-Scale Machinery

Engineering has developed over the centuries and with the help of tech and modern science has risen to become one of the most sought-after industries. Innovations in engineering are made every day and most of them are to the benefit of certain businesses. Apart from software tools, engineering is also responsible for business large scale machinery. From construction businesses to transport and carriage businesses, large scale machinery has proven to be useful in many ways for the people who work in these industries. This piece lists 10 jobs that may require you to operate large scale machinery.

1. Drill Handler

Large holes in the ground are required for different purposes. That’s why there are different types of drilling services. Directional drilling services use their drills to drill non-vertical holes to obtain useful liquids such as oil and water. They use advanced drilling machinery to drill holes in residential areas, construction sites, and oil mining sites.

As a driller, you will be responsible for monitoring the drilling process as well as operating the drilling machinery. Drilling in large sites can be dangerous and only certified and trained drillers should supervise and operate the on-site large scale machinery. Apart from how dangerous the job is, you have to be very precise in your work to ensure you get the desired results. This is why you need years of training to become a driller.

2. Dredge Operator

Dredging helps remove sand, gravel, or other materials to clear pathways for navigation in water. Dredges are mostly used in large-scale operations such as mining. Hydraulic dredges are special dredges used in mining to bring up deposits containing minerals such as tin and diamonds from water bodies. Gravel dredging is done using gravel dredges to extract gravel from the surface of water bodies.

On-site, no matter what kind of dredging you are performing, as a dredge operator you will have to interact with large scale dredging machinery. These types of large scale machines require supervision too so you’ll have to find ways of maintaining them. Large scale operations such as mining require a lot of attention. As a dredge operator, you have to keep on learning to be able to keep up with your niche’s trends.

3. Towing Operator

Towing services help stuck vehicles move to their place of stay or a garage for repair. A towing operator goes to the vehicle’s location to move the disabled car. Whenever a towing task calls, one must expect other situations to arise therefore creativity is critical for operators.

A tractor transports heavy loads so there might be a high probability of the damaged tractor pulling a trailer. In this case, tractor trailer towing will be sufficient to deal with it. Tractors are huge vehicles that sometimes pull trailers with heavy loads. Deployment of large scale machinery to assist you in towing both the tractor and its load might be necessary.

4. Recycling Equipment Operator

Recycling is one of the most talked about topics on the globe. Many scientists and environmental analysts believe recycling is good for the environment. Many leaders have stepped up and steered the recycling industry forward with investments and tenders to offer their services to various areas in their respective jurisdictions.

At the core, recycling includes reconstructing waste materials so that they can be reused for various purposes. Many materials, such as paper, steel, and plastic, can be recycled. In a steel recycling company, a recycling equipment operator is expected to use scrap metal recycling machinery to shred and shear metal so that they can be repurposed. In large recycling companies that serve wider areas, large scale machinery is used to sort the metal to remove contaminants.

The recycling industry is a very competitive one in terms of innovation and also the job market. Staying relevant will help you get better jobs and also helps you become familiar with other large scale machinery used by technicians in the recycling industry. You could stay relevant by:

• Attending recycling summits and meetings

• Taking up short courses and specializations to learn more about various recycling techniques

• Attending recycling workshops

• Doing research on futuristic recycling ideas

• Learning how to operate new recycling equipment whenever you meet one

5. Silo Equipment Operator

Silos have existed for centuries. Farmers in ancient empires used silos to keep grains. Methods of constructing them and methods of storage have evolved allowing technological innovation and advancements to take over the industry’s speed. In large silo farms, large scale machinery is used to carry out operations that would take a human being a lot of time to complete.

Silo equipment operators are responsible for the operations of large scale silo equipment. Grain pumps are used daily in silo farms and therefore the operator must maintain it and ensure it operates normally. They are used to carry load and unload grain, move grain from one silo to another, and blend different grains to increase marketability. They must be taken care of and serviced whenever needed.

6. Hydrovac Driver and Equipment Operator

Hydrovacs, also known as hydro excavation trucks, are large scale machinery trucks that use a combination of high-pressure water and a powerful vacuum to break up soil and debris and immediately remove it by placing it in the debris tank. They are an advancement from traditional yellow-iron equipment and manual digging techniques. Excavation using hydrovac equipment requires precision and accuracy hence the need for training.

As a hydrovac equipment operator, you will be responsible for leading the excavation process onsite. Using a hydro excavator, you will break the soil with water. You will also have to ensure that the site is clear of debris and that structures are cleaned out without affecting surrounding structures. This requires high precision handling of the equipment and hence the need for proper training.

7. Industrial Machine Welding

Industrial welding involves the use of welding machines to fuse two or more parts of material, commonly metals, and thermoplastics, together employing heat, pressure, or both. Industrial welding machines are large scale machinery and as an industrial welder, you will be responsible for operating them. There are different kinds of industrial welding methods including TIG welding, MIG welding, gas welding, and resistance welding. The latter is considered to be the fastest method and is used in the mass production of automobiles.

Specialty welding requires the strict upholding and maintenance of national and local specialty welding standards. This is to ensure that the quality of industrial and architectural structures is high as well. Safety standards should be maintained as well as they go hand in hand with quality standards. The use of welding positioners to place weldments reduces fatigue and helps you focus on the quality of the finish.

The details required in this job show that it is in a very monitored industry. Therefore holding high the standards set puts you in front of everyone. Get any necessary licenses, study the necessary courses, and improve on relevant skills to get the best jobs.

8. Trailer Equipment Operator

Trailers are pulled by a truck head and are used to carry heavy loads between two places. Trailers are very heavy machinery and should be handled well to avoid injuries and repair costs. Different types of trailers require different states of attention if they are going to be useful and viable for longer periods.

Trailer rentals operate with heavy-duty trailers by keeping them in good shape and ready to be used by customers. Specialized trailers need specialized care and servicing. A company that offers reefer trailer rental services has to regularly service the reefer trailers to keep their components like freezers in good shape. As a trailer equipment operator in a large reefer rental company, you will have to take care of all the large scale machinery including the trailers.

Trailer rentals, just like any other business that offers services, require a license to operate. Ensure that the company you work for as a trailer equipment operator is licensed to operate and insured to protect you from any liabilities. Stay relevant in the trailer rental business by learning how to maintain modern trailers while picking up new maintenance techniques.

9. Scaffold Builder

A scaffold is a temporary structure built to aid the movement of construction workers and construction materials during the construction or repair of man-made structures. If you ever saw a storey building under construction then you probably saw a scaffold. The construction workers use the pathways on the scaffold to access areas that are inaccessible and also transport construction materials and equipment.

Building a scaffold requires precision and careful planning. Unsafe scaffolding can result in deaths or injuries which are usually followed by lawsuits and huge fines. They are used to access heights and that means that as a scaffold builder, you will have to handle large scale machinery such as boom lifts to erect and dismantle scaffolds.

If you are looking to build structures in their residence seek local scaffolding services to build scaffolds for your construction workers. Ensure that the company you are hiring is licensed and insured. As a scaffold builder, you need to continue improving your skills, innovate safer methods of scaffolding, and maintain scaffolding equipment regularly to ensure that no errors arise from them.

10. Automobile Assembly Machinery Operator

Automobiles are made of very different parts, big and small. These parts are usually assembled in an assembly industry to make up different types of cars. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, different machines have been constructed to aid in automobile industries. In the automobile assembly industry, robots are used to precisely assemble car parts and test their efficiency.

Assembly robots can operate for long periods with minimal supervision making them a popular choice in the assembly industry. As an automobile assembly machinery operator, you will be in charge of ensuring every piece of equipment is well-maintained and operates optimally. You also have to ensure that every machine is used for its intended purpose. For example, machines used to attach automotive hose clamps should do only that and not be used on any other attachment.

This job is dangerous and requires high technical skills to be good at it. Ensure you are well-versed in mechanical engineering to operate automobile machinery. To stay relevant in the market, study about new machinery and how to use them. Keep track of industrial trends to stay afloat and maybe even pioneer an innovation someday.

Legal and Technical Considerations

Handling heavy-duty equipment is very risky and requires a lot of precision. Operators who successfully handle them have experience and knowledge of the machinery they handle. Handling most of the machinery mentioned in the article required both training and licensing. Ensure that you are licensed to operate any machinery mentioned.

While working, you might encounter some difficulties which could sometimes cause injuries or death. This could halt the client’s work and bring serious financial complications. When searching for a job, check if the companies you are considering are insured to protect you from serious legal actions.

Innovation is always going to be at the heart of industrialization. Businesses are always looking for ways to efficiently complete time-consuming tasks while reducing costs. Stay relevant by improving your skills and focusing on learning about new industrial innovations. Staying at the top of things will help you land a job in any technical team in your desired industry.

Generally, field practices that require manpower also need the assistance of heavy-duty machines to complete the jobs. The jobs listed here are just a few of the jobs that engineering has been able to produce helpful machinery for. The machines utilized in these jobs require a lot of knowledge, experience, and focus, and they carry a lot of risks, hence the need to let only certified professionals and insured companies handle them. They should also take care of them by carrying out regular maintenance and servicing on them. Working in any of these fields means you have to keep up to date on changes in the industry therefore you need to continue improving your skills and take any relevant up-to-date courses and specializations that can advance your career.