# Heavy equipment operator

A heavy equipment operator operates heavy equipment used in engineering and construction projects. Typically only skilled workers may operate heavy equipment, and there is specialized training for learning to use heavy equipment.

## Operator training

Various organizations set standards for training for heavy equipment operators. Such organizations typically offer what in the US is called "effective safety training". Specific organizations include the following:
* United States
** International Union of Operating Engineers
** Association of Equipment Manufacturers
** National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools
* Canada
** International Union of Operating Engineers

## Safety

Much publication about heavy equipment operators focuses on improving safety for such workers. The occupational medicine field researches and makes recommendations about safety for these and other workers in safety-sensitive positions. Hand signals are also important for machinery operators as it facilitates visual aid for safe work in spite of factors such as noise and a crowded environment.

## Notable heavy equipment operators

* Mack Ray Edwards (1918–1971), child sex abuser/serial killer; buried victims at his construction sites; committed suicide by hanging in his prison cell

## Types

These subdivisions, in this order, are the standard heavy equipment categorization.
Tractor
* Bulldozer (dozer, track dozer)
* Combine harvester
* Snowcat
* Snowplow
* Skidder
* Tractor (wheel tractor)
* Tracked tractor
* Locomotive
* Artillery tractor
* Crawler-transporter
* Military engineering vehicles
Grader
* Grader
Excavator
* Amphibious excavator
* Compact excavator
* Dragline excavator
* Dredger
* Bucket-wheel excavator
* Excavator (digger)
* Long reach excavator
* Power shovel
* Reclaimer
* Suction excavator
* Walking excavator
* Trencher
* Yarder
Backhoe
* Backhoe
* Backhoe loader
Timber
* Feller buncher
* Harvester
* Forwarder
* Skidder
* Power saw
* Track harvester
* Wheel forwarder
* Wheel skidder
* Logging truck
Pipelayer
* Pipelayer (sideboom)
Scraper
* Fresno scraper
* Scraper
* Wheel tractor-scraper (belly scraper)
Mining
* Construction and mining tractor
* Construction and mining truck
* Dumper
* Dump truck
* Haul truck
* Mining equipment
Articulated
* Articulated hauler
Compactor
* Wheel dozer (soil compactor)
* Soil stabilizer
Loader
* Loader (payloader, front loader, wheel loader, integrated tool carrier)
* Skip loader (skippy)
Track loader
* Track loader
Skid-steer loader
* Skid-steer loader
Material handler
* Aerial work platform, Lift table
* Crane
* Block-setting crane
* Bulk-handling crane
* Crane vessel
* Aerial crane
* Container crane
* Gantry crane
* Overhead crane
* Electric overhead traveling crane
* Ring crane
* Level luffing crane
* Mobile crane
* Travel lift
* Forklift
* Garbage truck
* Grapple truck, Knuckleboom loader (trailer mount)
* Straddle carrier
* Sidelifter
* Reach stacker
* Telescopic handlers
* Tow truck
Paving
* Asphalt paver
* Asphalt plant
* Cold planer
* Cure rig
* Paver
* Pavement milling
* Pneumatic tire compactor
* Roller (road roller, roller compactor)
* Slipform paver
* Vibratory compactor, Compactor
Underground
* Roadheader
* Tunnel boring machine
* Underground mining equipment
Hydromatic tool
* Ballast tamper
* Attachments
* Drilling rig
* Horizontal directional drilling
* Earth auger
* Pile driver
* Post pounder
* Rotary tiller (rototiller, rotovator)
Hydraulic machinery
Highway
* Tractor unit
* Ballast tractor
* Pushback tractor
* Railcar mover
* Highway 10 yard rear dump
* Highway bottom dump (stiff), pup (belly train), triple
* Highway end dump and side dump
* Highway transfer, Transfer train
* Concrete mixer
* Concrete mix truck
* Concrete mix dozer
* Lowboy (trailer)
* Street sweeper
* Street sweep truck
* Street sweep dozer