Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/674536
S aying it wanted to provide underground construction operators with training that "fits their schedule and best suits their needs," Ditch Witch has launched a certi- fied training program on horizontal direc- tional drilling (HDD). Offered at no cost, the onsite training extends the or- ganization's on-site, classroom-style training, to allow novice HDD operators the ability to train wherever they are located, including at home or on a mobile de- vice. The program includes six training courses: HDD overview, best practices, drill pipe, tracking, HDD tooling and drilling fluids. The courses are offered to anyone who registers online. After successfully com- pleting all courses, participants receive a certificate of completion. One of the objectives of the online approach is to lessen the intimidation that newer operators may feel when faced with learning how to operate drills, says the company. In addition to the online courses, the Ditch Witch Certified Training program includes instructor-led classroom training and HDD simulator training, along with dealer-site training on equipment and on the jobsite. Ditch Witch says the combination of these training methods will "expose operators to real-world challenges and scenarios, help them gain an understanding of machine controls and learn proper operating procedures." The company says the program will eventually extend beyond HDD to focus on all segments of the underground industry. "The driving force behind the comprehensive training program is 'we get crews ready,'" says Greg Wolfe, Ditch Witch director of train- ing. To learn more, go to ditchwitch.com/training. EquipmentWorld.com | May 2016 9 reporter | by Marcia Gruver Doyle | MGruver@randallreilly.com Ditch Witch offers free online certified HDD training Equipment operating experiences gain ground (continued on page 10) The new online courses are offered in conjunction with in-field instruction. M any people outside construction have the dream of someday run- ning a dozer or a backhoe, and two recent announcements just increased their chances of doing so. Diggerland USA, the construction theme park in New Jersey, has opened Diggerland XL, aimed at the over-18 crowd. There, participants can have what the park calls "unrestricted fun" on three larger pieces of John Deere equipment: a 44J wheel loader, 225C LC RTS excavator and 750C dozer. They can choose between a 90-minute package or a three-hour package, which also includes 30 minutes of one-on-one instruction. Prices run from Extreme Sandbox, set for a national expansion, inked an exclusive equipment deal with Komatsu.