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Equipment practice questions

24 questions from the heavy equipment operator practice test.

Equipment practice test

10 questions, graded as you go, with the reason for every answer. No sign-up.

What this covers

Sample questions

How does a skid steer loader turn?

  1. By pivoting the frame at a center hinge joint
  2. By turning the front axle with a steering gear
  3. By steering the rear wheels with a hydraulic cylinder and ram
  4. By driving the wheels on each side at different speeds
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D. By driving the wheels on each side at different speeds

The wheels on each side of a skid steer are driven independently, so slowing or reversing one side makes the machine skid around. Center-hinge (articulated) steering is how a wheel loader turns.

Reference: NCCER Heavy Equipment Operations Level 1, Identification of Heavy Equipment

Which compactor is the usual choice for cohesive clay fill?

  1. Padfoot (sheepsfoot) roller
  2. Smooth-drum vibratory roller
  3. Tandem steel-wheel asphalt roller
  4. Walk-behind vibratory plate
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A. Padfoot (sheepsfoot) roller

The feet of a padfoot roller knead and press into cohesive soil, compacting the lift from the bottom up. A smooth vibratory drum works best on granular material, where vibration lets the particles settle together.

Reference: NCCER Heavy Equipment Operations, Compaction Equipment

A smooth-drum vibratory roller is most effective on which material?

  1. Wet plastic clay
  2. Organic topsoil
  3. Clean sand and gravel
  4. Soft, saturated silty clay
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C. Clean sand and gravel

Vibration shakes granular particles into a denser arrangement, so smooth vibratory drums suit sand, gravel and crushed stone. Plastic clays respond to kneading and pressure from padfoot drums, not to vibration.

Reference: NCCER Heavy Equipment Operations, Compaction Equipment

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