Site & Highway Operations

Excavator Training

360° and 180° excavators including JCB 3CX. Full operator training, refreshers, and conversions for construction, civil engineering, and utility works.

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Excavator Types We Train

Full training coverage for 360° tracked and wheeled excavators and 180° backhoe loaders including the JCB 3CX.

360° Excavators

  • Full 360-degree slew capability
  • Tracked and wheeled variants
  • Common uses: earthmoving, trenching, demolition, material handling
  • Sizes: micro (under 1 tonne) through to large (20+ tonnes)
  • Key considerations: slew radius, tail swing, ground bearing pressure

180° Excavators (Backhoe Loaders)

  • JCB 3CX and similar machines
  • Combined loader and excavator functions
  • Road-legal variants (tax, insurance, registration required)
  • Common uses: utility trenching, pothole repair, general construction, loading
  • Key considerations: dual controls, stabiliser setup, road travel
Training Programmes

Course Options

From complete beginners through to experienced operators needing a refresh or conversion to a new machine type.

New Operator Course

5–10 days (360°) • 3–5 days (180°)

Complete training from zero to competence. Covers machine familiarisation, safe operation, trenching, lifting (where applicable), and loading.

Price on application

Refresher Course

1 day

For experienced operators due periodic refresh. Theory and practical reassessment with updated certification on completion.

Price on application

Conversion Course

Duration varies

For operators with existing competence on one excavator type wanting to add another. Duration based on prior experience and target machine.

Price on application
What You'll Learn

Key Training Content

Comprehensive theory and hands-on practical training covering all operational and safety requirements.

360° Excavator Training

  • Machine components, controls, and safety systems
  • Pre-use checks (tracks/wheels, hydraulics, boom, dipper, bucket, pins, greasing points)
  • Safe excavation techniques (trench support awareness, service locations)
  • Lifting operations with excavators (when acting as crane — LOLER implications)
  • Working near underground services (CAT scanner, service plans)
  • Working near overhead cables (safe distances)
  • Slew management in confined areas
  • Loading trucks and stockpiling
  • Travelling on slopes and across sites
  • Environmental considerations (dust, noise, drainage)

180° / JCB 3CX Training

  • Dual-function operation (loader front, excavator rear)
  • Stabiliser deployment and ground assessment
  • Road travel mode vs working mode
  • If road-legal: DVLA driving entitlement required (separate from plant competence)
  • Construction & Use Regulations for highway travel
  • Loading and material handling with front bucket
  • Excavation with rear arm: trenching, service work

Highway & Road Use Requirements

For machines used on public highways, plant competence and road driving entitlement are two separate legal requirements. Operators need both.

1

Plant Competence (PUWER)
Training and assessment to operate the machine — what PHW provides.

2

DVLA Driving Entitlement
Correct DVLA category required (C, C1, C+E depending on vehicle class) — separate from plant training.

3

Vehicle Registration
Machine must be road-registered, taxed, and insured for highway use.

4

Road Regulations
Construction & Use Regulations, Lighting Regulations, and STGO for oversized loads all apply.

Book Your Training

Ready to Get Started?

Call or email for a no-obligation quote on excavator training. We will get back to you within 24 hours.

07918 617760 ade.whetton@phwltd.com
phwltd.com