Free practice test

Heavy Equipment Operator Practice Test

Check what you know about the heavy equipment operator job with 15 free questions and instant explanations.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
About this practice test

15 multiple-choice questions on heavy equipment operator knowledge, safety and vocabulary. Submit to see your score and explanations, or open any question’s answer as you go. Nothing is saved or shared.

Question 1 of 15What number do you call before digging?
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Answer: 811. 811 arranges utility locates.

Question 2 of 15ROPS stands for:
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Answer: Rollover Protective Structure. ROPS protects the operator in a rollover.

Question 3 of 15If you lose sight of your spotter, you should:
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Answer: Stop immediately. Stop until visual contact is restored.

Question 4 of 15Spoil piles should be kept at least how far from a trench edge?
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Answer: 2 feet. OSHA generally requires at least two feet.

Question 5 of 15“Cut” on a grade stake means:
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Answer: Remove material. Cut means remove soil to reach grade.

Question 6 of 15Which term matches this definition: “The required elevation or slope of a surface.”
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Answer: Grade. Grade: The required elevation or slope of a surface.

Question 7 of 15What does “Cut and fill” mean?
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Answer: Removing soil from high areas (cut) and placing it in low areas (fill).. Cut and fill: Removing soil from high areas (cut) and placing it in low areas (fill).

Question 8 of 15Which term matches this definition: “The national call-before-you-dig number to have underground utilities marked.”
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Answer: 811. 811: The national call-before-you-dig number to have underground utilities marked.

Question 9 of 15What does “Operating engineer” mean?
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Answer: The traditional trade name for heavy equipment operators.. Operating engineer: The traditional trade name for heavy equipment operators.

Question 10 of 15Which term matches this definition: “The area an excavator’s upper structure covers when it rotates: a struck-by danger zone.”
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Answer: Swing radius. Swing radius: The area an excavator’s upper structure covers when it rotates: a struck-by danger zone.

Question 11 of 15What does “Load chart” mean?
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Answer: A manufacturer chart showing safe lifting capacities at different configurations.. Load chart: A manufacturer chart showing safe lifting capacities at different configurations.

Question 12 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Keeping two hands and one foot (or two feet and one hand) on the machine when mounting or dismounting.”
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Answer: Three points of contact. Three points of contact: Keeping two hands and one foot (or two feet and one hand) on the machine when mounting or dismounting.

Question 13 of 15What does “Outriggers” mean?
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Answer: Extendable supports that stabilize machines such as backhoes and cranes.. Outriggers: Extendable supports that stabilize machines such as backhoes and cranes.

Question 14 of 15Which term matches this definition: “A ground worker who guides the operator using hand signals or radio.”
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Answer: Spotter. Spotter: A ground worker who guides the operator using hand signals or radio.

Question 15 of 15What does “Pre-shift inspection” mean?
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Answer: A documented walkaround check of a machine before operating it.. Pre-shift inspection: A documented walkaround check of a machine before operating it.

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