Feature -- by Mark Sproxton

Rolling into a new residential subdivision, the track hoe operator and the rest of the earth-moving crew are kind of like the pioneers from way back. It's their job to prepare the land for the next wave of people. With the track hoe operator moving thousands of pounds of dirt a day, in no time, the once undeveloped land becomes full with pipe for water lines, sewer lines and fire hydrants.

"The track hoe is the heart of the job site," heavy equipment operator Jason Montpetit explained. "If that's not functioning, the rest of the work stops. They expect you to get a certain amount done each day. There's definitely pressure." Statistics are produced daily monitoring how much dirt was moved and how much pipe was laid in the ground. If the trackhoe operator doesn't move enough dirt, he may find himself operating a different piece of equipment.

Montpetit's track hoe is a huge piece of equipment. It has a monstrous boom arm for digging and instead of wheels, moves via tracks similar to a military tank. There is a ladder with five steps Montpetit uses to climb into the air-conditioned, stereo-equipped cab. Once inside, two hand levers and two foot pedals are used to control his machine, which is one of the hardest pieces of heavy equipment to operate. "You have to run them all simultaneously," Montpetit said. "You have to use the left and right side of the brain."

Like many heavy equipment operators, Montpetit began his construction career at the bottom. After turning away from a management career in the grocery industry, he began work as a labourer and quickly moved up the ladder to pipe layer, top man, foreman and then began operating different pieces of equipment. "You have to show initiative," the Calgary-based operator said. "I was working the ditches and at lunch time I would jump on the equipment and practice. I showed an ability to do it and within a year I was running a hoe."

What first attracted Montpetit to the industry, the money and opportunity to have long periods of time off, has become a reality. He typically works eight or nine months a year -- depending on the weather -- and has the winter months off to ski, holiday, whatever. "When it's busy you work 12 or 13 hours a day six or seven days a week. Sometimes I'll work a month and-a-half without a day off. When something has to be done, it has to be done."

While there are no specific licences for operating heavy equipment, those with Class 1 and 3 drivers' licences are able to operate some of the larger and more complicated machinery. Montpetit also recommends taking as many courses as possible that could help on the work site. Those courses could include first aid, H2S Alive, confined spaces entry and trenching. "You don't have to take all that's offered, but if you do, it looks good on a résumé," Montpetit said.

Enjoying the money available to those proficient as a heavy equipment operator -- annual earnings can reach $60,000 - $80,000 and more -- he also knows the importance of being cautious at work. "One thing I dislike is the danger involved in the industry. People do get killed. It's very powerful equipment and you have to be very careful."

In addition to being able to operate the levels and pedals effectively and safely, equipment operators much also perform fluid checks on their machine each day and keep an ear open for any unusual sounds or any operating difficulties. "After spending time in a machine you can tell if something isn't right," Montpetit said. Operators must also know hand signals which are used to help communicate with the ground crews.

Those who like hard work, are self-motivated and are willing to learn new ideas tend to do well as operators, he said. "Operators tend to stick around. Most of the guys where I work have 10 to 25 years experience just operating. Once you get to operating, that's where the big money is."