All about the profession motor grader driver

A large percentage of modern youth considers higher education pointless, and therefore seeks to get a popular and highly paid working profession. Among this category of works, the profession of a motor grader driver is highlighted. In this article, we will consider the features of the activities of such a specialist, as well as deal with what is included in his functional responsibilities.

A grader is essentially a car. However, this is not ordinary, but specialized automotive technology that is used to level flat surfaces. This device is actively used for transportation and distribution of bulk compositions - for example, sand or gravel. The work of the motor grader driver is to clean and level the surface specified by the customer. And also in the uniform distribution of soil embankments on the basis of the roadway.

In connection with the foregoing, we can conclude that the person who occupies the post of motorist grader driver must have in-depth technical knowledge, and also be able to masterfully cope with large-sized vehicles.

Besides, many employers put forward requirements in relation to the personal characteristics of the employee. So, the driver should be attentive and accurate, responsible and punctual. Also, the specialist must have good health, physical stamina and general sports training. In order to fully appreciate all the features and characteristics of the profession, you need to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of the work of the motor grader driver.

The benefits most often include:

• high level of demand (having received the necessary qualifications, you will not be left without a job);
• a high level of salary (which can provide you with a good standard of living for yourself and your family);
• official employment (thanks to which you can count on a large number of social benefits - for example, paid sick leave and vacations).

On the other hand, there are a number of disadvantages:

• difficult working conditions (which may adversely affect the health of the employee);
• seasonality of work (in the winter season, motor grader drivers are not in demand).

Motor grader driver carries out its work taking into account the rules, principles and norms that are spelled out in such official documentsas a job description, professional standard and a unified tariff and qualification reference book of jobs and occupations of workers (or ETKS). These documents describe in detail the duties that are binding on the grader driver. The main ones are:

• monitoring instrument readings;
• compliance with the necessary building codes and rules;
• study of design documentation;
• careful adherence to the technical specifications;
• compliance with traffic rules;
• cleaning of working equipment;
• inspection and, if necessary, repair of working units and mechanisms;
• maintaining accounting and reporting documentation;
• refueling of the grader;
• safety precautions and more.

It should be borne in mind that, depending on the specific place of work, as well as the wishes of the employer, professional duties may be changed or supplemented, accordingly, you need to be able to adapt. It is also important to take into account the fact that you may be held responsible for refusing to perform or incorrectly performing your direct duties.

In order for a specialist to be able to carry out all the functions prescribed to him, he must possess a large volume of relevant specialized skills. These include:

• knowledge of the operation of the grader;
• ability to drive a car in different ways and methods;
• knowledge of design documentation;
• knowledge of the device, design and all technical features of the working equipment;
• knowledge of traffic rules;
• ability to carry out repair and adjustment work;
• ability to conduct regular technical inspections and maintenance;
• knowledge of the rules of storage technology.

At the same time, one should not limit oneself to obtaining only basic skills. The higher your qualifications and the more competencies you own, the more sought-after employer you will be.

In the professional community, it is customary to distinguish 5 categories of the motor grader driver - from 4 to 8. Consider the characteristics of the main ones.

• So, the specialist gets 4th category immediately after receiving the appropriate working qualifications. Accordingly, this discharge can be considered the starting one. At this stage, the employee has the right to work on trailed graders, the length of the knife of which does not exceed the figure of 3,000 mm.
• Machinist possessing 5th category, can work with a variety of specialized equipment: for example, with concrete breakers, asphalt distributors, joint fillers. At the same time, the equipment power can be higher than 59 kW.
• If a specialist has been assigned 7th and 8th category, then it can work on motor graders, whose power is in the range from 100 to 150 kW. In addition, he is allowed to control pavers on rails, road profilers and other specialized equipment.

In order to receive professional training in the specialty of “motor grader driver”, you must graduate from a secondary school (college or college). It is important to pay attention to both theoretical and practical training, as well as strive to get the highest scores. At the end of the educational period, the specialist must pass the final certification and qualification exam at Gostekhnadzor. In addition, a category D driver license is required.

It should be borne in mind that the learning process does not end there. So, the motor grader driver must prove his qualifications every 5 years. In addition, if you want to increase or increase your rank, then you need to attend additional educational events - for example, specialized lectures or conferences. Often, motor grader drivers receive additional education.

Grader drivers can work both in state enterprises and in private companies. One way or another, they are an integral part of the road maintenance team and work in the open air, and not in the office building. Very often, work is on a rotational basis, which must be taken into account if you plan to connect your life with such a career.