Becoming an excavator operator – Swiss expert Dennis Roulin shares his story…

Embarking on a career as an operator requires a passion for machinery, dedication to learning, and a knack for precision work. In this article, professional operator Dennis Roulin of Antiglio in Switzerland shares his advice for those considering a career in this sector. With over three decades of experience, he looks back on his journey into the world of operating heavy machinery. 

When and why did you decide to become an operator?

In 1985, I decided to become an operator because ever since I was a kid, I'd go to work with my father, who was a construction truck driver and operator. I loved seeing all kinds of construction equipment at work.

How did you become an operator?

My career began unexpectedly when my company needed someone to operate an all-terrain spider excavator. A former operator showed me how it worked for a day, and I immediately took a liking to the machine.

What training did you receive? 

Learning the ropes involved hands-on experience and guidance from colleagues. Starting with a spider excavator, I later transitioned to operating crawler excavators. 

What was the most difficult thing to learn? 

The hardest part for me was working on rocks and slippery places without much grip. Things got easier later in my career where I used crawler and wheeled excavators, which stayed on relatively flat ground most of the time.

Can you share your advice on using machinery economically? 

Never let the engine idle for long. I set the shortest option for engine shutdown and used the eco modes when making adjustments or doing work that didn’t require full power. Today's machines also have automated economy management, which is great.

What’s the best thing about being an operator?

The comfort and precision of the machines is the most rewarding part of the job.

What do you wish you had learnt during your training?

I would have liked to learn more about new technologies and different machines. But now that I've finished my career as an operator, I'd settle for going to trade fairs like Bauma, and asking buddies who are still working if I can play with their new machines. There's also online resources like YouTube.

Whether you're dreaming of ditching the desk job or just curious about life behind the controls, we hope Dennis’ story has offered an insight into what it takes to become an excavator operator and has inspired you to get your career in construction off the ground.