Training Courses

Experienced Operators Programme for 180 Degree Excavator (A FÁS Certified Course)

Candidate Requirement:

Candidates for this programme must have at least six months full time experience as a 180 Degree Excavator operator within the previous two years and have completed the CSCS New Entrants programme.
Candidates must also possess the FÁS Safe Pass Registration Card.
Candidates must be over 18 Years of Age.

Course Objective:

To provide an opportunity for participants to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and attitudes associated with 180 Degree Excavator operations and to obtain the appropriate certification.

Course Content:

Candidates will undertake a 3 hour corrective training session with the course instructor. Corrective training cannot give skills and knowledge not held, but allows the experienced operator to eliminate ‘bad habits’ gained on site.
On completion of any corrective training, candidates are allowed 45 minutes to undertake a multi-choice question paper. The candidate must complete the practical tasks within 1. 25 hours

On the practical test the candidate will demonstrate tasks with the excavator.

The Candidate needs to:
  • Carry out full pre-start and running checks as required by the manufacturer.
  • Prepare the excavator for travel.
  • Travel to the excavating area. The route must include:
    a) travelling up and down the incline(s)
    b) passing through a restriction being no more than the width of the excavator plus 800mm, in a forward and reverse direction
    c) travelling over rough, uneven terrain.
  • Excavate 2 x trenches, 5 metres in length with square ends at right angles to each other. The depth of the excavations must be 1.0 metre deep +/- 30mm by 1 x bucket width. (refer to plan)
  • On completion of task 4, excavate 1 x trench 2 metres in length, starting from midpoint of one of the 5 metre trenches, and 1 x trench 2 metres in length starting at one end of the same 5 metre length trench. The depth of the excavations must be 1.0 metre deep +/- 30mm by 1 x bucket width (refer to plan). These trenches must be excavated towards the open trench.
  • On completion of task 5, reinstate and compact the earthworks back to level using the applicable functions of the front loader bucket.
  • Load material from the stockpile into the vehicles to capacity using the front loader and the backhoe. There must be a minimum of four full bucket loads using the backhoe (the vehicle may be partially loaded using the backhoe whilst excavating the trenches).
  • Remove the existing backhoe bucket and attach the replacement.
  • Travel the excavator to a park position, shut down and secure.
Certification: A FETAC National Certificate and CSCS card, which is valid for 5 years, will be awarded to each successful participant on this course.
Duration: 1 Day
Number of Participants: 3


See our latest Course Schedule for details of upcoming Experienced Operators Programme for 180° Degree Excavator

To book your place on a Experienced Operators Programme for 180° Degree Excavator, contact us or complete our Booking Form.