Plant and Machinery

Scrappage scheme for vans

barry08 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:34:08 GMT

Wondered if anyone was considering trading in an old van as part of this scrappage scheme?

Steelwrist or Tiltrotator - anyone used them?

barry08 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:20:35 GMT

I wondered if anyone had ever tried using either the Steelwrist or Tiltrotator.

Are they any good? Worth the money - as they seem quite expensive?

Having seen them demonstrated, they look impressive but quite a challenge for an operator used to a conventional excavator.

Would be interested hearing from anyone who has experience of using them.

Job of the week boys!

Supadoopa — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:45:40 GMT

Manpower are offering the princely sum of £7.56 for a fully qualified Komatsu PC750 operator that wants to work in a quarry in sunny Cumbria!

When i stop laughing i'll have a serious comment!

Am I the only one?

Supadoopa — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:54:57 GMT

I'm asking because i'm being invaded by Vikings on another thread!

Is anyone else on here just a normal machine driver that doesn't own a machine and works for someone else?

Incompetent NVQ Plant Assessors-a cause for concern.

Sustainer — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:16:57 GMT

I recently raised a concern with the "Construction Awards Alliance", (CAA), the CITB administered body, overseeing plant NVQs regarding the competence of many of its assessors. I am assured by the CAA that everything is all sweetness and light.

However... during 2008 when the industry and the Learning Skills Council, LSC, were flush with cash it prompted many training providers/employers, and in particular, colleges, to nominate candidates for NVQ assessor status in a particular category of plant.

The present CAA system allows the training provider/college to nominate assessors from within their own workforce based on a flimsy CV and a tenuous link with competence. The tenuous link on many occasions has been a half day CPCS test on say, a site dumper. The CAA quality assurance, though well meaning and best intentioned is devoid of occupational competence in a plant discipline having probably been recruited from a totally different working environment, not necessarily from within construction !!

At a CPCS road show last week a member of the audience gave a graphic example of how the current CAA system has allowed "incompetent" assessors to gauge plant operator competence on construction equipment. This particular individual arrived on site to undertake an NVQ assessment on a candidate operating a, "concrete pump."

He openly admitted that he had no idea what a "concrete pump" looked like and had to be shown the item and how it worked ! When the taxpayer has coughed up, £millions, through the LSC for in excess of 25,000 plant operator NVQs in the last 18 months one wonders about the audit trail that awarding bodies are taking regarding quality checks?

Many of us are convinced that he much advertised saga with, MP's expenses would pale into insignificance if the National Audit Office, NAO, had a close look at how some plant operator NVQs were actually achieved. Sadly it becomes abundantly clear that the greater emphasis by many has been the acquisition of funding at the expense of the National Occupational Standards, NOS, for plant operators.

NPORS "just as good" as CPCS cards?

oB4IL3Yo — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:32:57 GMT

I have a ticket for a 180 tipping dumper and a 360 digger upto below 5t. I got this through NPORS because i was advised they are "just as good" the CPCS cards. Now every job i look for, they are looking for CPCS and never heard of NPORS.

Can someone please tell me how relevent these NPORS tickets are to help me find a plant operators job in the uk. Is there anyone i can contact who recognises these tickets?

Or are thee tickets just a gimmick?

Excavators over 12t - which are your favourites?

Will Mann — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:48:43 GMT

This month in Plant Managers' Journal, we take a look at the market for excavators over 12t. It would be great to hear from ConstructionSpace members about your experiences using these machines, and which ones you prefer using.

There haven't been many new excavators launched in the 'over 12t category', but here are a few of the new and popular models we looked at:

Doosan. All excavators above 14t updated with new 7-inch monitor and reversing camera in cab. New 14t DX140R offers reduced tailswing radius of 1.48m, but with maximum digging depth of 6.15m. Plans a larger 70t crawler excavator for the Bauma exhibition next year.
JCB. Has launched new JS290 Auto (30t), with smaller dipper and main boom, but less counterweight at rear. Also offers reduced radius on JZ140, JZ235, JZ255, though says conventional 13t-14t excavators are still the most popular.
Volvo. Launched the ECR305CL (34t to 37t) reduced tailswing excavator. Combines boom and dipper from conventional EC290 with undercarriage and tracks from EC330 to provide strong stability.
Komatsu. The PC138US-8 (13.5t) is one of its biggest-selling zero tailswing models.

Let us know what you think of these - and any other excavators over 12t which you've been using.

Construction Plant training programme

Preacherman — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:18:38 GMT

Hi all, been while since i posted but would like some feedback from you all out there on a scheme that i am setting up with a major college.

As some of you will have seen in the past i have shown my frustration with how i see plant training and how it has been and still is deliverd, this led me to question my position as a trainer. I have now calmed down and decided that i will not give up but try even harder to make things right.

I plan over the next few months to roll out a training program for new operators, this would consist of with the aid of my college partner placing new entrants into companies and taking them through the full Plant NVQ in stages, so all the current criteria that is in a plant NVQ would be broken down into a program of training and projects which is basically how i feel it should be done . They would be mentored by a trainer and also from within the company assigned a buddy operator to give them gudance at work.

The company would employ the new entrant and all training input from college would be fully funded. We envisage the programm to last between 12-18 months in total.

We hope to be able to provide the sort of training that the industry requires and not just a quick fix 10 day course. The main difference with this programm is that we will be working with the company so the operative will be moulded and developed just how that company wants him.

The operative will learn all the things that we know they should be learning now but don't.

Now i know some of you will be saying what about all the good operators that are on the dole and i take that point, but we need to start planning for the future and we are not getting the young blood into the plant industry we need.

This program is still at a very early stage but i just wanted some views on it and what you think of it.

Road Rail Crane Excavator, Training

johnny — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:24:47 GMT

Hi guys

Can anyone tell me where I can do the training for Road Rail Crane Excavator? And how much would cost?

I have a CPCS blue card for 360 Excavator tracked and wheeled and PTS card.

Thanks.

My number is 07846775190.

Legal requirements for plant on a public highway?

Supadoopa — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:29:46 GMT

I have often pondered this while driving 20ton ducks on the road!

After hearing a story of two moxy drivers who were hammered by the courts for not having a HGV licence even though they had CPCS Licence.

Does anyone know the legal requirements of using heavy plant on a public highway and what are the requirements of the operator?

What ticket do you need to be able to hire machinery?

llah66 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:12:55 GMT

Does anyone know what the criteria for hireing excavators etc? For insurance purposes, do you need a named operator with a valid ticket to use one, and if you have not got a valid ticket can you then not hire one? Or can any one sit on the machine as long as its on private land?

My argument is that if you have not got a ticket, then how can you use one safely? Surely it should be like a car - you can not hire one of those without a valid driving licence?

Ainscough mobile crane flips over on busy road!

Frank Heaven — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:55:05 GMT

I wonder how fast the driver must have been going for this to happen! Watch the video.

Men in hospital after crane crash

working abroad

beany01 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:46:50 GMT

Hi everyone looking for any help for working abroad have been looking at canada,s oilsands they are allway,s advertising for haul truck operators, and i keep sending my c.v. off to the companys advertising. I have the experience for riged dump trucks working in a quarry enviroment but i dont get any replies to my emails, is it because you already have to be out there. If anybody else as tryed please let me know any infomation would be appreciated ta

Plant operator jobs

Iceman — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:33:48 GMT

Well in the current climate work is becoming harder to find!

So I thought we could all help each other out here on Construction Space.

If anyone hears of any plant operator jobs going then please post details in this thread, that way hopefully we can all keep working during this difficult time.

what ticket to have cpcs or npors

llah66 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:29:26 GMT

i know this argument is on going but everywhere you still look for jobs most of them are asking for cpcs which i did have till a couple of years ago then went npors.So when in tyneside are the recruitment agencys and employers go to ask for either ticket or equivalent,i've been unemployed now for 4 weeks my last employer wasnt bothered and 2 years ago i got a contract on the brecon to west tirley pipeline for p.p.s who were'nt bothered either but lately because of haveing npors i've lost 2 jobs which i was offered till they read my c.v and both said we only do cpcs?

regards andy

Diggerland - any good?

barry08 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:05:47 GMT

Has anyone on the forum ever been to Diggerland?

Is it worth a visit?

Why are Plant operators not considered professionals?

Supadoopa — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:27:43 GMT

Everywhere i look we are considered as "Other" when chippy's, Sparky's and other trades are considered as professionals!

I know we sit on our arses all day but i can look at trade professionals and honestly think my kids can do that but for some fked up reason they are in a class above machine drivers!

Why is this?

I don't know one chippy or sparks could do my job as easy as i could do theirs!

I want you to attend your CPCS test but forget about getting paid !

Sustainer — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:59:40 GMT

In times of financial restraint you would expect many construction employers to make cutbacks in expenditure. Hourly rates, digs allocation and assistance with motor mileage all have all been reduced for many plant operators that need to move around the UK to retain employment.

Now I hear that a prominent employer of plant operators is sending their workforce on CPCS tests and telling the operators that they will have to commute to and from the training venue at their own expense and not to expect any payment for the day, whilst they are away from work, and undergoing testing or training ! Notwithstanding this disgusting treatment of long suffering plant operators the greedy employer still grabs the grant payment.

Is this the 21st Century or are these Luddite employers on another planet? Many of the operators that are receiving this treatment are in a Catch 22 situation where they risk getting fired if they kick up too much of a stink.

When you hear of this mean spirited and probably illegal acts by employers, (reg13 of MHSWR), is it any small wonder that highly skilled operatives are giving their employers, "two fingers" and opting for a better quality of life stacking shelves. When industry picks up and is rejuvenated it will be seeking trained and tested plant operatives.

Who could recommend the construction industry for young plant operators with this type of treatment being meted out.

just got my a12 red trained operators card

andys12 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:46:52 GMT

Hi guys

I'm new on here and to construction plant I have been a ground worker for over 5 years and got made redundant a while back .

I got funding to do a 10 day course for the 180 excavator (which I believe isn't enough time to learn a new trade)

It sounds like I got good seat time in the machine compared to what other training providers give as I had the chance to study at home for the theory and work through my brakes and now feel confident on the machine .

My problem now is finding work and working towards my blue competent operators card.Can you guys give me any advice in sourcing work as I have been looking for jobs but they all want experienced operators

ps I'm in the process of writing to employers and I'm in the north east of England

thanks in advance

andy

ODA ban semi automatic hitches

Sustainer — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:55:49 GMT

I noted in this week's Contract Journal that semi-automatic quick hitches are now banned from ODA sites. When you look at the ODA decision makers, "environmental leadership team" and "tier one contractors" there is no doubting the lack of a viable consultative process. Mr Lawrence Waterman's claim that "this is a good example of how contractors on the 2012 project are working together, to make the industry safer", is complete nonsense, more knee jerk, risk aversion. The problem is not the semi automatic quick hitch product, it is, behavioural, lack of training, and a woefully inadequate system of site management. Mr Waterman and his tier one contractors would be better placed looking at the real areas of concern on UK sites, regarding 360 excavators such as: excavator operators that have never been trained in lifting operations, excavator operators that cannot read a lifting duties chart, excavator operators that deliberately switch off the RCI, excavator operators that cannot explain the basic function of the hitch they are using, quick hitch documentation missing, national 360 hirers whose proprietary hitch is of sub standard construction and does not have an integral lifting point, 360 operators who have to lift from a point on the dipper/bucket, trip link, and subsequently foul the lifting accessories against the load, wheeled excavators that carry loads rested between crowded bucket and dozer blade, CFA pile croppers mounted on 360 excavators that flout manufacturer's instructions by overloading when cutting off large pile sections and creating instability, 360 operators who never undertake pre-start checks on the working end of the equipment, site management that encourage bad practice in the use of 360s as cranes, PUWER requirements on selection of correct equipment for the job, often ignored, lifting accessories not checked before/after lifts, banksmen not trained, CPCS blue card holders that have achieved their competence by the NVQ route with little or no evidence highlighting excavators used as cranes or with quick hitches, 360 operators with CPCS blue card competence though unable to speak English or understand any written instructions on the equipments operational safety features, as recommended by the manufacturers, comprehensive lift planning, non existent, 360 lifting attachments misused to such an extent, (e.g. pile croppers), that dee links are distorted/damaged beyond repair, inside one working day, Whilst the ODA are perfectly within their rights to unilaterally make changes it would appear to diminish the credibility of, The Strategic Forum for Construction" and it's Plant Safety Group, which is seeking to represent the whole of the construction community. .

Great earthmoving pics from Broken Cross

Will Mann — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:19:45 GMT

Thanks to ConstructionSpace member DDDDDD, aka David Wylie, for uploading this fantastic gallery of earthmoving equipment in action at Broken Cross open coal site in Scotland. It's one of the biggest muckshifts underway in the UK at 244 million cubic metres.

Among the kit in action is a Cat 834H wheeled dozer, relatively new to the UK.

Road-rail plant vs conventional rail plant

Goldie — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:38:55 GMT

Does anyone have any views on which is better, road-rail plant or conventional rail track plant?

We're getting advice that Network Rail is against road-rail machines as they are considered more dangerous.

Design for a safety harness to accommodate women's breasts?

barry08 — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:41:35 GMT

I see IPAF, in the interests of sexual equality, has challenged the industry to come up with a new design of harness that can accommodate the, ahem, female form.

Anyone got any ideas?!

Requirements for CPCS Testers

TADDLES — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:57:41 GMT

Can anyone tell me what the requirements are for CPCS Testers. I know they need to hold A1 and have relevant occupational competence. Where does PTTLS fit in and I think I heard somewhere that they are also required to hold a number of L units from the NVQ Level 3 in Learning & Development (coaching & instruction etc). Can anyone shed some light?

CPCS cards

Grease_Monkey — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:31:15 GMT

Are they worth bothering with any more?

Do you still need one to get onto a majors site?