Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated.

Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > General Topics > Non Ford Related Community Forums > The Bar

The Bar For non Automotive Related Chat

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 26-03-2009, 05:07 PM   #1
Bmobile
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 645
Default Gaining HR truck licence and LS bobcat ticket

Looking at ditiching my current employment [house painting] and Gaining my HR truck licence and my LS skidsteer/ bobcat ticket. I don't mind paying to get these tickets, but want to make sure I can gain some employment when I do. Any operators out there that could give us any advice before I take the plunge. I am willing to learn at a reduced pay rate and put in the hours.
Any advice one could give would be great.

Bmobile is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 26-03-2009, 11:31 PM   #2
GROM
BOSS UTE
 
GROM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: WATTLEBANK VIC
Posts: 33
Default

I run my own excavation business have been going just over 3 years. First year hardly any work , made sure I had money in the bank to survive. second year probably averaged 2 days per week , would get back on tools as a chippy to keep my head above water. Third year , flat out 6 months , quite to average next 6 months . Now things have gone quite because of the economy.You can make really good money , but you have high expenses , loans ,maintaince , fuel, repairs ect. And its not what you know its who you know that will get you work. Also find a point of difference between you and your competitors , for example I bought a track bobcat rather than a wheeled one gave me work that wheeled bobcats couldnt do.Anyway good luck to you if you want to get somewhere in life then you have to take some chances it can be very rewarding but takes time..
GROM is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 27-03-2009, 12:10 AM   #3
DoreSlamR
Fiat POWAAH!
 
DoreSlamR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 2,309
Default

You'll need a good eye for levels, particularly if you end up doing house pads.

Might help to learn how to use a penetrometer and laser level too

Oh and be willing to get out and pick up a shovel, so many bobcat operators I've worked with will not get out of the cab..that's how water meters get hit :togo:

One final thing, if you have a spotter, listen to them, otherwise something like this will happen:



100mm Blue brute water line with 50mm High voltage power under it, there was actually 3 50mm lines running there and also 2 50mm optic fibre and cat 5 comms lines too.
__________________
Holden: If you cant beat them, buy them.

Last edited by DoreSlamR; 27-03-2009 at 12:24 AM.
DoreSlamR is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 27-03-2009, 07:04 AM   #4
rodderz
.
 
rodderz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Bundoora
Posts: 7,199
Default

You can get some quite good prices on 2nd hand machinery and trucks but for something that will be your source of income and (hopefully) going at least 5 days a week it's better to get something as new as possible and in good condition. As has been said maintenance is high, particularly when it comes to hydraulic pumps etc on bobcats.

The licensing is pretty easy- it's mostly just health & safety and common sense. It might pay to do a few things for a mate or on someones property to get used to it first, so that your first job you are used to the machine.
rodderz is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 27-03-2009, 07:47 AM   #5
Bmobile
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 645
Default

Thanks for the advice so far.
I am not looking at geting my own equipment at this stage. I would like a few years driving for someone first to gain enough experience. If I could make at least $400 a week clear I would be happy at this stage as long as I get to build experience. If I make more $'s and have the oportunity to do 40 + hrs a week then that would be good also. Either way I'm not fussed, but hope I can get enough work driving and gain some experience, even If I am only on $20 hr.
Bmobile is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 30-03-2014, 01:52 AM   #6
Rhino-351
Regular Member
 
Rhino-351's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 111
Default Re: Gaining HR truck licence and LS bobcat ticket

I'm in the exact same boat Bmobile, I've got my hr and will be obtaining bobcat next week.. It's been 5 years for you since, any tips you could pass along? Will be greatly appreciated!! cheers
Rhino-351 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 30-03-2014, 06:27 PM   #7
GASWAGON
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,272
Default Re: Gaining HR truck licence and LS bobcat ticket

Unfortuneatly the market has been flooded with new equipment and lots of blokes are trying this game so it means more competetion in pricing jobs etc.....Its a hard game to play!
GASWAGON is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Reply


Forum Jump


All times are GMT +11. The time now is 05:05 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Other than what is legally copyrighted by the respective owners, this site is copyright www.fordforums.com.au
Positive SSL