do you operate a backhoe

[reppy007]

When I did a stint for Mastec I learned that most of the workers operated backhoes,they also pulled in urd or did the make-up....I was never trained with a backhoe but Im sure theres nothing to it...at that company while they did operate backhoes and the wire,transformers ,most were not able to work anything hot...now they could work next to hot primary and secondary.So does anyone else do it that way.....now here in the houston area the contractors do the trenching,wire pulling and all...Now with Mastec if your doing urd,they will tell you to keep your linemans belt and hooks at home....they wont be used,I learned that pretty fast. I will say one thing for their workers at Mastec,the workmanship that I saw was top notch..they had their way of doing things and it looked neat in appearance.

[paul maxwell]

Aye mate some of the more experienced linemen/chargehand do work items of plant at our company,i myself have a ticket for 360excuvators of all sizes from mini diggers right up to the larger 13ton ones, we also have linemen who operate the winches and tensioners:),it has been this way for our company for years and it works out good for every one coz the company gets more Multi skilled workers and the linemen get to keep all the tickets(provided they don't leave within 1year).

[wantafastz28]

Mastec was some of the worst contractors I've seen when it came to work quality... maybe it was just the crews that worked that town.

[reppy007]

Mastec was some of the worst contractors I've seen when it came to work quality... maybe it was just the crews that worked that town.

I sorta was waiting for that,they did have some issues,in Miami we done strictly overhead..that was a nightmare,with the types of guys they would bring in and the logistics...there were some. good ones......In Bonita Springs/Naples they did all the URD....still had logistic problems and equipment issues....but the work was fine..........nothing like driving 50 miles to a jobsite and finding out that no material is waiting on you....one foreman asked me how do you get 3 phase out of a 2 phased lateral....he was never taught and it wouldnt have mattered anyway cause we had no transformers,pads,ect....what town were you refering to?

[Swamprat]

I thought the "gist" of this thread was, "do workers, operate a backhow"?

In all the jobs I've worked, the only "workers" that operated a backhow, had to have a certified License to operate one.

I don't care who ya work for..."heavy equipment operators" operate backhows, and they are not generally "part" of a workin Linecrew. When ya need a backhow, or a dozer...ya bring in a heavy equipment operatator, Licensed to operate machinery like that.

Not a Lineman's Job.

[Lineman North Florida]

Some places don't have a those special titles and jobs and it's really not un-heard of for a lineman to run a backhoe a line truck a boom truck and sometimes a rough terrain crane, some municipality's and co-op's have operated like this for years, I was told early on anything that you could learn could'nt be taken away from you.

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I run all of our equipment. It doesn't matter what it is. I'm a Journeyman Lineman and my ticket says I can. I would never call for an operator to come run a piece of equipment on my job.

[reppy007]

Some places don't have a those special titles and jobs and it's really not un-heard of for a lineman to run a backhoe a line truck a boom truck and sometimes a rough terrain crane, some municipality's and co-op's have operated like this for years, I was told early on anything that you could learn could'nt be taken away from you.

I agree with that statement,at the end of your post.....nobody can take away the things that you have learned....they can do lots of things,even fire you but they cant take that away.I still know lots about carpentry,dont use it much these days,but I remember...setting forms,framing,cornish,inside trim,decking,roofing,replacing windows & siding....a little rusty but still have what it takes.

[SBatts]

I thought the "gist" of this thread was, "do workers, operate a backhow"?

In all the jobs I've worked, the only "workers" that operated a backhow, had to have a certified License to operate one.

I don't care who ya work for..."heavy equipment operators" operate backhows, and they are not generally "part" of a workin Linecrew. When ya need a backhow, or a dozer...ya bring in a heavy equipment operatator, Licensed to operate machinery like that.

Not a Lineman's Job.

ANOTHER ONE TRICK LINEMAN STATEMENT, BY A NEVER BEEN ANYWHERE KNOW NOTHING.
Ruby was a heavy equipment operator set up as journeyman lineman in California, because 1245 did not have operators and
journeyman lineman ran all equipment. Hell I ran a cable and drum tracked Lorrain and American for Commonwealth on Dept of Water & Power Property. In local 304 you can operate anything you are qualified to operate. Most contractors don't like to pay an operator to sit on his nuts when there is nothing to operate, or pay him operators scale to grunt..
Some more people should be questioning your ability to name call and use fowl language and use my nickname BATTMAN. I went straight to Byron and ask to have you banned, before this site gets any worst than it is. I can see after 40 years you can't run a backhoe. track-hoe, cable and drum crane 100 ton hydraulic crane, Morgan and Pengo Highline pullers and tensioners, Rollegons. Like I said one trick #6 Lineman. It's a sad day when lineman like you allow operating engineers, take our work. Hell let the electricians have the underground, it ain't real linework. Let the iron workers have the tower assembly. Go back to raghead land where you was the all known know nothing, Let America lineman use you as a fine example of Pikes main body.Probally no better operating a boom truck than the numbnuts on undercover boss.

[spark and bark]

We(lineman) run backhoes, excavators, back yard booms, pullers, tensioners, rock hammers, dozers, etc. To me, if you can run this equipment, you are a better asset down the line. I worked with one lineman that didnt know how to run a cornermount linetruck with levers. Babied with a captains chair and a t handle. I think you are an idiot if you dont try to learn how to run every piece of equipment you can. Operators are fading out and places want a lineman thats a jack of all trades. just my opinion, though..... Don't like it, don't do it

[ratbastard101]

I am a firm believer to learn to do everything you can. You never know when you can use it to make your job easier, better, and even more enjoyable. I actually enjoy learning new things and using that knowledge and skills to help myself and coworkers. Learning to use trenchers, backhoes, linetrucks, cranes, etc has helped off of the official job site as well. Setting trusses on a friends house, digging ditches and laying conduit at my or family members house, getting a windmill down and loaded on a flatbed trailer, etc etc etc etc.

While I do think all linemen should know how to do what ever it takes to complete a job, I also believe there should be a dedicated operator for each yard. Someone who knows all the ins and outs of crane operation that can run it smoother than silk. This individual should be able to operate every piece of equipment to make him that much more valuable as well, pullers, tensioners, etc. Some equipment is just too valuable to let every Tom, ****, and Harry go to pulling levers on. Since this individual would not always be availble, everyone having a working knowledge and ability should be important as well.

[Pootnaigle]

Ummmmmmmmmm In recent years I bleve the operators have made a real hard push to have any operator "Certified". This has resulted in a lot of work for them especially in our field. Those certifications aint always cheap nor or they really worth much to most of us.It is however their bread and butter.
I dont bleve our legal system recognizes Experienced but I think they do recognize Certified and Lord help ya if they find out you aint.I kinda reckon before its all over and done with there will be a certification requirement for any load lifting, operation of aerial equipment,as well as stuff like backhoes, dozers, track machines, fork lifts, and possibly even pick up rigs and tensioners.

[wantafastz28]

I sorta was waiting for that,they did have some issues,in Miami we done strictly overhead..that was a nightmare,with the types of guys they would bring in and the logistics...there were some. good ones......In Bonita Springs/Naples they did all the URD....still had logistic problems and equipment issues....but the work was fine..........nothing like driving 50 miles to a jobsite and finding out that no material is waiting on you....one foreman asked me how do you get 3 phase out of a 2 phased lateral....he was never taught and it wouldnt have mattered anyway cause we had no transformers,pads,ect....what town were you refering to?

Lake havasu in AZ, my crew uses a backhoe daily... i never used one prior... it's not something i would say im "good" at after a day or so... takes practice IMO

[reppy007]

I think so too,anything learned is a plus,I didnt feel too great working with people that did know how to operate machinery....although it wasnt my fault for not being around some......makes you feel like the odd man out.....some guys dont consider it linework,kind of like some guys dont think urd is linework.....its usually the guys that are not exposed to those kinds of things.Switchgear is also like that,you may know a couple of types,but soon you find out that theres many more types.....good to learn whatever you can learn.

[Swamprat]

I am a firm believer to learn to do everything you can. You never know when you can use it to make your job easier, better, and even more enjoyable. I actually enjoy learning new things and using that knowledge and skills to help myself and coworkers. Learning to use trenchers, backhoes, linetrucks, cranes, etc has helped off of the official job site as well. Setting trusses on a friends house, digging ditches and laying conduit at my or family members house, getting a windmill down and loaded on a flatbed trailer, etc etc etc etc.

While I do think all linemen should know how to do what ever it takes to complete a job, I also believe there should be a dedicated operator for each yard. Someone who knows all the ins and outs of crane operation that can run it smoother than silk. This individual should be able to operate every piece of equipment to make him that much more valuable as well, pullers, tensioners, etc. Some equipment is just too valuable to let every Tom, ****, and Harry go to pulling levers on. Since this individual would not always be availble, everyone having a working knowledge and ability should be important as well.

I hear ya man. Good Point. I always tried to learn, how to operate any piece of equipment on any job I was on.
I can operate a "ditch witch", a digger derrick (Boom Truck), Bucket Truck, Tension Rig, in the blink of an eye, anytime at all....
but there are some "machines" that are just not normaly operated by Linemen, on a daily or monthly basis, and in my opinion, require Certified operators. Nowdays, alot of it is Mandated Certification too.

Backhows, Bulldozers, and especially Cranes. Sorry.
As cool as it might be to be "Able" to operate these types of Heavy equipment...I'm thinkin... These types of equipment, need a "Certified" Operator.

I'm also thinkin most companys, will have "Certified" Heavy equipment operators, to operate these types of Heavy equipment. Maby, in some companys, they are Linemen. NOT in any company I've ever worked for.

Just call it an "Insurance" thing. Ya GOT to be "certified" man....:rolleyes:

[SBatts]

I hear ya man. Good Point. I always tried to learn, how to operate any piece of equipment on any job I was on.
I can operate a "ditch witch", a digger derrick (Boom Truck), Bucket Truck, Tension Rig, in the blink of an eye, anytime at all....
but there are some "machines" that are just not normaly operated by Linemen, on a daily or monthly basis, and in my opinion, require Certified operators. Nowdays, alot of it is Mandated Certification too.

Backhows, Bulldozers, and especially Cranes. Sorry.
As cool as it might be to be "Able" to operate these types of Heavy equipment...I'm thinkin... These types of equipment, need a "Certified" Operator.

I'm also thinkin most companys, will have "Certified" Heavy equipment operators, to operate these types of Heavy equipment. Maby, in some companys, they are Linemen. NOT in any company I've ever worked for.

Just call it an "Insurance" thing. Ya GOT to be "certified" man....:rolleyes:

Thats why companies like Westar has been taking their lineman for the past ten years, and getting them certified on everything they own. Smart move on their part. Now the Operating engineer locals have nothing to point at and take our work. I guess it is alright with you having a non-lineman moving your phases?

[Bighorn Ape]

We(lineman) run backhoes, excavators, back yard booms, pullers, tensioners, rock hammers, dozers, etc. To me, if you can run this equipment, you are a better asset down the line. I worked with one lineman that didnt know how to run a cornermount linetruck with levers. Babied with a captains chair and a t handle. I think you are an idiot if you dont try to learn how to run every piece of equipment you can. Operators are fading out and places want a lineman thats a jack of all trades. just my opinion, though..... Don't like it, don't do it


we are the same way here...there are no Sub-Contractors. we operate everything from the cranes to the to the tamp...lol i never knew it was any different.

[BigClive]

I was told early on anything that you could learn could'nt be taken away from you.

Except in the UK where training is a racket and certificates expire after about three years, requiring you to "retrain" on one day Powerpoint presentations that cost about $400 a pop.

[BigClive]

Besides.... A backhoe (JCB) is just another big boys toy. Who WOULDN'T want a go in one. :rolleyes:

And even if you get "certified", the only way to master a backhoe is to use one. Just like any other piece of equipment.

[Lineman North Florida]

Except in the UK where training is a racket and certificates expire after about three years, requiring you to "retrain" on one day Powerpoint presentations that cost about $400 a pop.Clive I was mostly referring to the fact that if you learn it and utilize it every now and then that you would not forget what to do, I was actually amazed that there are people out there that don't think they should have to run this piece of equipment or that piece of equipment, my opinion is everything that you have the opportunity to learn to operate, do it, it makes you that much more of an asset on the jobsite. I always felt like my place as a lineman on a jobsite was in the air, but I helped make up material and helped pick up the mess when I got back on the ground, I see a lot of hands now days that think they are way to good to do anything except jump up in a bucket when they hit the jobsite.

[Swamprat]

Clive I was mostly referring to the fact that if you learn it and utilize it every now and then that you would not forget what to do, I was actually amazed that there are people out there that don't think they should have to run this piece of equipment or that piece of equipment, my opinion is everything that you have the opportunity to learn to operate, do it, it makes you that much more of an asset on the jobsite. I always felt like my place as a lineman on a jobsite was in the air, but I helped make up material and helped pick up the mess when I got back on the ground, I see a lot of hands now days that think they are way to good to do anything except jump up in a bucket when they hit the jobsite.

I agree with ya man.
I feel the same too. I Learn, and have Learned, how to operate any piece of equipment, on any job I was ever on.

Howerer....In America today, there's a word called "Certification", meaning, you have undergone Training on how to operate certain types of equipment like Backhoe's, Crains, Bulldozers, etc. and are state, or Govt. qualified to do so.

I can operate a D-9 Dozer...done it. Am I "Certifed"? Hell NO! Would I run a dozer on a job? Hell NO! Would, or should I be ASKED to? Hell NO!!

[SBatts]

I agree with ya man.
I feel the same too. I Learn, and have Learned, how to operate any piece of equipment, on any job I was ever on.

Howerer....In America today, there's a word called "Certification", meaning, you have undergone Training on how to operate certain types of equipment like Backhoe's, Crains, Bulldozers, etc. and are state, or Govt. qualified to do so.

I can operate a D-9 Dozer...done it. Am I "Certifed"? Hell NO! Would I run a dozer on a job? Hell NO! Would, or should I be ASKED to? Hell NO!!

That means in Local 1245 and local 47 in California, you are not qualified to work isn't it?

[Swamprat]

That means in Local 1245 and local 47 in California, you are not qualified to work isn't it?

Most definetaly. I wouldn't even think of workin in that state anyway, or union.

So...those "linemen" out in Cali are all Certified to operate something like this huh?
I think not.

[Pootnaigle]

ummmmmmmm onna rig like that one, very few companies actually own one. Instead they get bids from the Crane rental folks who also supply their own operator and a swamper and a truck to deliver em if need be.

[lewy]

In our province your lineman ticket only allows you to lift up to 16 000lbs above that you need a hoisting engineer branch 2 which is good up to 30 000lbs & some of us have that. Above that you need a hoisting engineer branch 1.

[Swamprat]

ummmmmmmm onna rig like that one, very few companies actually own one. Instead they get bids from the Crane rental folks who also supply their own operator and a swamper and a truck to deliver em if need be.
Exactly.

H$ll, I can operate a Grove type Crane, and have. No BFD...Like operatin a digger derrick.
But batts comment that union linemen can operate and are certified in almost anything is just BS.
Stuff the company owns, sure. And most companys don't "own" nothin that big.

As Lewy said, anything above 16,000 lbs, ya need a certified Operator, as ya do with other pieces of equipment. And generally speaking...THAT is Their Job. Not Lineman. And I'm sorry, "all union" Linemen, though they may think they are "everything", and "certified" in everything....they ain't.:rolleyes:

And NO Outfit is gonna "certify" All their Linemen to operate every piece of equipment out there. Maby 1 or 2 designated "Lineman". Maby....still, highly unlikely.

When a "special" job comes along, like ya said poot, the company hires out a "crane outfit", for a one time gig.

I'm sure all those high lines, that batts build, had a Lineman at the controls of that 166 Ft. Crane, settin those towers.:rolleyes:

[SBatts]

Exactly.

H$ll, I can operate a Grove type Crane, and have. No BFD...Like operatin a digger derrick.
But batts comment that union linemen can operate and are certified in almost anything is just BS.
Stuff the company owns, sure. And most companys don't "own" nothin that big.

As Lewy said, anything above 16,000 lbs, ya need a certified Operator, as ya do with other pieces of equipment. And generally speaking...THAT is Their Job. Not Lineman. And I'm sorry, "all union" Linemen, though they may think they are "everything", and "certified" in everything....they ain't.:rolleyes:

And NO Outfit is gonna "certify" All their Linemen to operate every piece of equipment out there. Maby 1 or 2 designated "Lineman". Maby....still, highly unlikely.

When a "special" job comes along, like ya said poot, the company hires out a "crane outfit", for a one time gig.

I'm sure all those high lines, that batts build, had a Lineman at the controls of that 166 Ft. Crane, settin those towers.:rolleyes:Again piece of sh!t you cal;led me a liar. Yes we did

Like I said youy punk not nothing Local 1245 and 47 has lineman operators only and many a company like Power Constructors and Commonwealth and Midland had their own cranes Lattice booms and crawlers up to 100 Tons. Now put up or shut up. DO I have to call Bryon on your sorry ***** since LA protects her not so secret lover

[Swamprat]

Again piece of sh!t you cal;led me a liar. Yes we did

Like I said youy punk not nothing Local 1245 and 47 has lineman operators only and many a company like Power Constructors and Commonwealth and Midland had their own cranes Lattice booms and crawlers up to 100 Tons. Now put up or shut up. DO I have to call Bryon on your sorry ***** since LA protects her not so secret lover

Call Byron, stevie boy....
:rolleyes:

You've obviously been drinkin tonight.
What I said was...

And NO Outfit is gonna "certify" All their Linemen to operate every piece of equipment out there. Maby 1 or 2 designated "Lineman". Maby....still, highly unlikely.

Go back to your toolbox man.:rolleyes: