A grader operator is someone who has been trained to operate a grader, which is a piece of heavy machinery that is used to level dirt. This is usually a roadbed of some kind, either for a dirt road or for an asphalt road’s base layer. The grader operator must be trained in how to use the machine properly in order to achieve the best grading results, as well as proper safety techniques, unit maintenance, and so on. Operating such a vehicle may necessitate the acquisition of certain certifications or licenses.
The machine itself has three axles: two in the back for driving forward and stability, and one in the front for steering and stability. The vehicle’s front wheels are usually connected to a long boom with a blade mounted in the middle. This blade will be in charge of moving material in order to grade the soil, and it can swivel and tilt in different directions to do so. To create the flattest and most even surface possible in the soil, the grader operator must understand how and when to move the blade.
Manipulation of this large vehicle to produce the desired grade, especially on uneven surfaces, is one of the challenges a grader operator faces. Because many roads are not flat, especially around curves and corners, the grader can produce canted grades. The grader operator must be taught how to manipulate the vehicle to create such grades, and one of the most important aspects of this training is how to properly position the vehicle’s front wheels, which can pivot or sway to accommodate the proper grade.
During the winter, a grade operator may be required to move snow with the grader. In the absence of other snow plowing equipment, this is usually done, though in some areas, the grader may be the best tool for the job. However, because the machine is primarily used for construction, this is considered a secondary function. The grader may also be used on farms or ranches to even out soil before planting; in this case, the farmer or rancher may be trained to operate the vehicle, though he or she will almost certainly need to obtain a commercial driver’s license, or CDL, to do so.