hello all, well a bizzare thing happend today while i was buying lunch today at the grocrey store, the superitendent of the big highway job down the road,was behide me in the check out line so we got chattin about the job and whats going on, then out of the blue he asks if i want a job driving a rock truck i said yes of course then i bought his lunch from him for giving me a job. i have never drivin a rock truck before been around them lots was wondering if i could get a pointers on them, the trucks are ADT Cat 40 tons i belive or huge trex green 40ton.
Are you kidding? Do you have any equipment experience? And I am sure you mean buy his lunch "for" him and not "from" him.:tong
Hey, he's got some big stones...might as well be haulin' stone in the back of an ADT as well.
i have operated some 312 cat hoes for a few hours, operate a dresser front end loader for most of the summer loading a firewood proccessor and operated a 440 b john deere skidder last winter. dad owns a mini kx61 and i operate that on weekends. sorry for the spelling mistakes kinda excited for work on monday lol
I also flagged for 4 months with the same company last fall got laid off in the winter and never got phoned back.
not that bad... just keep the hoe operator happy... usually you will see the previous trucks tracks , just follow them , then stop when the hoe beeps.. I'm sure they will give up a ride for a half day.. to get the hang of what it does... Then the dumpsite area, you have to keep that guy happy also.. Worse thing you can do.. Yes jump in the cab... then set there trying to figure out what starts it. Best is when he ask can you operate it... yes but I need a little instruction.... 1.. walk around the truck. look at stuff... ask what and where are the fluid checks... Does it get fueled or do you refuel it yourself, same with greasing. AT's take a lot of grease.. watch the other trucks.. see what they are doing..
trucks If Im thinking of the same style trucks, I was always told to always dump with the truck straight and as level as possible. I am talking about a off road truck, articulating type. Very good info, on the other posts, always watch the other trucks and learn. Look for the tire tracks from the other trucks. I know I repeated what others said, but its worth repeating. Dont venture off on your own route, its usually not the best way to go, again keep a look out on the other trucks Good Luck
Well I've drove ADT's quite a few times. Just watch for the hoe operator to show you where to load at, keep the radio turned down where you can hear the horn blow when he's finished loading, when dumping make sure to be balanced, and keep your cab straight in line with the bed. Also when climbing steep hills loaded you may have to use the postive traction button in the floorboard, and going down steep grades use the jake brake (far left peddle) to save your brakes. Get some pics if you can!
Thnaks for the info guys!
try here: http://safety.cat.com/cda/components/fullArticle?m=133361&x=7&id=716400
The master switch is on the left front fender, and if you turn the ignition key and the dash lights but it wont crank, check the hoist lever, mke sure its in float. just a couple things ive picked up on.
thanks for the link Ben46a
I'm not sure that's something you want to do. Remember, if the last truck was in a bad spot, you'll be in the same bad spot for the hoe to load. Not to mention if the hoe has moved since the last truck. Trust me, I load around 30,000 tons a day, and we tell everyone not to follow the previous truck's tracks. Brian
Stay away from the GREEN one if at all possable! Specially if it is a 4066B Good Luck with the new job.:drinkup Bob
Congrats and good luck... Follow the other truck tracks with caution, like alco said... the guy in front of you may not always take the best route. IF the haul roads are soft try to straddle the previous trucks tracks so you aren't running your tires in their ruts, it doesn't take long for those ruts to become a nightmare to navigate. Keeping the truck as straight as possible when dumping is key, you can sometimes get away with a bit of turn, but I know in the Volvo's and new(er) Cats the cab is light enough that if you have the cab cranked to one side or the other when dumping the cab can actually get lifted and rolled. Remember, loaded trucks always have the right of way. What size hoe is going to be loading you? and are you guys pulling up next to it or backing into it? Oh and of course take plenty of photos for all your friends at HEF :drinkup
Use the other guys tracks as guidelines only, great work on landing the job though, I'm sure you will do great. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the rig too, better to know it well.
Congratulations! I wish job searching was always that easy. lol
JimBruce42 loading me can be an 1100 ( is it hitachi) to a 550 john deere or a 988 Cat, its highway construction so i could be moved all over the place. Ive watched them work before and they always backed in Ill try to take lots of pics, Thanks for all the info! you guys are a great help!:drinkup
A word of warning . I have seen too many Cat ADTs rolled over on their side because the driver was going too fast on a curve with a load. Sometimes only the rear half goes over and sometimes the cab goes with it. Also they will rollover backwards if you raise the box too high when dumping on a slope !
Hi youngoperator, You are very lucky to get the break. I can still remember my first day on a real construction project. I could already operate dozers and scrapers but it was still a big change for me.
Ask questions, find the foreman and introduce yourself, let him/her know what you can and can't do. They should assign you to an experienced operator who will show you what to do and not to and how they do things there. Carry a notebook and pen, if you get a chance read the operators manual. If you get into a jam, stop and get help, don't try and be a hero. I realize you will be keen to impress but they will be more impressed that you sought help to solve a problem rather than try and work it out and create a bigger problem. Bets of luck and watch out for grease on the seat Oooh did I mention you should ask questions?
make SHURE that when you are backing up to the hoe, (he will have a bucket positioned where he wants you to be to load, if he is busy, wait a little distance away from him untill he posistions the bucket) but when he dumps the load in your bed... STOP! he will hurt your feelings and your head if he has to stop you with his bucket.
thanks guys, today i was talking to a few guys that work there they drive rock truck too...i asked them all the questions i had , they said i should have no problems and be fine, the one guy said ill be getting trained and it will most likely be him training me. Im starting to get excited for monday to come . Thanks for the tip wildhair ill keep that one in mind for sure lol
youngoperator best of luck tomorrow and keep your head,if you are unsure ask and have a ball.
hi.. good luck.....
well today is the big day i did mange to get some sleep lastnight lol thanks for all the info im sure it will come in handy all day. wish me the best of luck
Well how did it go?
it was AWESOME!!! Im driving a big green terex 40ton but its like an open mine truck( ill get pics soon), i rode around with a guy for about 2 hours, then the foreman said get out and get on that 40tonner that is parked. I was alittle scared at first going by myself but after the the first trip i was hooked lol.... took me abit to get the hang of backing it up lol. i was getting loaded by 550 JD hoe or the 1000ex....... After driving that all day i got in my pick-up and it felt like i was touching the ground lol
i just took this pic of google its the same truck...the one im driving is in worse condition
HO HO HO "green giant",just watch out for QBALL hates truck /dumper drivers......
i didnt run over any grade stakes today cant hate me yet lol
See this is the problem with todays youth, they straight away want to get into the fancy new gear. Anyway just because it's rough don't mean you should treat it like crap. Take along a cleaning kit and give the windows and cab a tidy up, whose job is it to grease the machine? Are you supposed to check tire pressures, fluids and the wheel bolts. Ask the foreman if there is an operators manual you can take home to study at your leisure, a good operator knows his machine inside and out, a driver knows which levers to pull. Another tip is to take the keys out of the machine if you are working on it, that way someone can't just hop in it and go whilst you are under it checking stuff. DON'T GET UNDER THE MACHINE WHILST IT IS RUNNING UNLESS YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO AND HAVE SOMEONE WATCHING YOU And remember your danger time is after a week or two when you think you know stuff and things become routine.
The mech's start all the machines and gease them,( but i still look over it at break or lunch for leaks or broken parts).. the fuel guy will track you down when you need fuel, the foreman said to me that you got a problem go see the mech's.. i had a rear seal leaking today in the rearend noticed it at breaktime. went to the mech he looked at it said i dont got time right now, just keep driving it and ill see you later when i got time, never did see him again...........hey i dont mind one bit driving it cuz its alot better then laid off..dads brought me up to respect any machine i operate or drive, im taking it easy on the old girl.
Bloody luxury, I suppose you got the lunch lady to bring the food as well? A leaking seal is no big drama as long as it is not coming out in any great amounts, far cheaper to top the oil up once a week than to rip apart the rear end, as you said you're driving the 'new guy machine', which more than likely will not have money spend on it and once it breaks down in a major fashion will be gotten rid of.
The lunch lady only comes on tuesday wedesday and thursday this weeks special is roast beef on a bun lol jk...ya i know i have to pay my dues before i up grade.
Congrats on the new job. Show up early, stay late, ask but don't pester. If there is help needed, and you are avaliable to then go help. Enjoy your new job. Trbo
The first week was great, drove the 40ton rock truck, then was on the packer for a few days. then was driving a Cat ADT on friday, man those Cats are tricky to back up at first, but i got the hang of it now lol. I wonder what this week will bring
Hi youngoperator, Sounds like you are doing fine. The first contractor I worked for broke me in on every piece of equipment they had and I always appreciated the chance they gave me. One day we were eating lunch and an old hand said, Hey Dave are they ever going to find something that you can run. Everybody had a big laugh.
Always be careful to avoid tire damage. Cutting up the tires on sharp objects can be expensive. Like EZ TURBO show up early, and don't be the first one running to your car at the end of your shift. Stay away from the guys with bad attitudes, because they can be contagious. Listen to and follow directions as best as you can, and if you're not clear on something ask questions. Be respectful, but don't brown-nose, let your good attitude, work ethic, and eagerness to learn, reflect your character. Good luck, and keep us posted.