I really want to teach myself how to work on Heavy ConsConstruction Equipment. Diesel engines, hydraulics etc. What is the best machine to start out on?

A push mower because it is simple and you will learn the basics. These principles will apply to all engines. Then move on from there. I am not being sarcastic I am being realistic. Almost all internal combustion engines work the same except two versus four stroke. If you already have the basics down dive right in, if not learn the basics then dive into whatever you feel like fixing. Experience is a great teacher. You can’t learn until you try. Good luck and happy wrenching.

im a sophomore in high school. we have a construction class where i take it for two years. I get great benefits I can be OSHA certified . work on any construction site. all when im in High School. then when I graduate go in the Army to be a 21E (Heavy Construction Equipment OPERATOR ) or 21J(GENERAL Construction Equipment OPERATOR). and get Army benefits aswell. When im researved in ARMY i can contact local contractors to work for. (i dont know just options) then when I get out of the Army be a Heavy Machine Equipment Operator. is this a good decision? I know a lot about construction. Been around it my whole life.

I think that’s a very good plan. Take every construction class you can, get as much certification as possible, and when you go in the military take all the supplemental training they will give you.

But don’t just lock yourself into heavy equipment - get as broad an education as you can, so that you can always make money, not just in boom times. Point yourself towards green building (LEED certifications and so on), as this is the one area of construction that is not only booming right now, but projected to be so for some time to come.

You can learn more about green building here: http://www.contractor-city.com/grfrgrup.html

Good luck, I know you will do well.

When repairing a road or bridge, I am told the temporary path around the constructions site to the other side is called a shoe fly. So far no heavy equipment operator or construction company I’ve asked knows why they call it a shoe fly.

Try looking it up with the spelling "shoo fly." Apparently hobos used the term to refer to a detour track built around a temporary obstacle, and to avoid passing though a hobo-hostile town.

There are also a great many references to the quilt pattern called shoo-fly; the pattern was an indication of safety during the days of the Underground Railroad.