Running an excavator comes down to mastering two joysticks, two travel pedals, and a solid understanding of the machine’s safety systems. Whether you’re preparing for your first time in the cab or brushing up before renting one for a project, the fundamentals are straightforward once you understand what each control does and how the movements combine. Here’s a complete walkthrough from pre-start inspection to digging your first trench.
Walk-Around Inspection Before You Start
Every session begins outside the cab. Walk around the entire machine and visually check for leaks, cracks, and damage. Pay close attention to the boom and arm, especially in cold weather, where metal fatigue can cause hairline cracks. Check each of these areas for leaks or visible wear:
- Boom, arm, and bucket cylinder mountings for hydraulic leaks or physical damage
- Track chain and shoes for damaged pads, loose bolts, or frozen links
- Main pump compartment and battery compartment for leaks or corrosion
- Lower frame and superstructure for cracks or dents
- Side doors and cowl frames for secure fit
Open the engine hood and check the oil level with a clean paper towel on the dipstick. The level should sit between the min and max marks. If the machine’s display is showing “full water separator,” drain it into a safe container before operating. Clear any dirt or small rocks jammed in the bucket linkage. Check the engine air filter behind the cab, and if you’re working in dusty conditions, inspect the cab air filter too. Finally, turn on the main battery switch before climbing in. No power reaches the machine until that switch is on.
Getting Into the Cab Safely
Use three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) when climbing into the cab. Once seated, fasten your seatbelt, then look for the hydraulic lockout lever, usually located to the left of the seat. This lever must be in the locked (raised) position whenever you enter or exit the machine. It disables all hydraulic functions so the joysticks and pedals can’t accidentally move the boom, arm, bucket, or tracks. Lower the lever to unlock the hydraulics only when you’re seated, belted in, and ready to operate.
Starting the Engine
With the hydraulic lockout engaged, turn the ignition key. Let the engine idle at low RPM for a few minutes to warm up. This warm-up period allows hydraulic oil to reach operating temperature, which protects the pump and cylinders from premature wear. Cold hydraulic oil is thick and doesn’t flow well, so moving the controls aggressively on a cold machine strains the entire system. Once warmed up, you’ll increase the throttle to a higher idle setting when you’re ready to work, which gives the hydraulics enough power to dig and swing efficiently.
When you’re done for the day, don’t just kill the engine. Let it idle at low RPM for a few minutes to cool the turbo and internal components. After you turn the key off, the machine runs an automatic purge cycle for roughly 60 to 70 seconds, clearing fluid from the emissions system. This is especially important in winter to prevent freezing and cracking. Wait for that cycle to finish before disconnecting power.
Understanding the Two Joystick Patterns
Excavators use one of two control layouts: ISO (the international standard, used on most machines) and SAE (sometimes called the John Deere pattern). The swing function stays the same in both, but the boom and stick controls swap between left and right joysticks. Knowing which pattern your machine uses is critical, because mixing them up means the arm moves when you expect the boom to move, and vice versa.
ISO Controls (Most Common)
The left joystick handles swing and the stick (also called the dipper, the inner arm segment closest to the cab). Push it left or right to swing the cab and upper structure left or right. Push it forward to extend the stick away from you, or pull it back to bring the stick toward the cab.
The right joystick handles the boom (the large outer arm) and the bucket. Push it forward to lower the boom, pull it back to raise it. Push it left to curl the bucket closed (scooping), and right to open or dump the bucket.
SAE Controls
The left joystick still swings left and right the same way. The difference is that pushing the left joystick forward now lowers the boom, and pulling it back raises the boom. The right joystick controls the stick and bucket instead. If you’ve learned on one pattern and switch to a machine running the other, many excavators let you swap between ISO and SAE in the settings menu.
Driving the Machine
Two foot pedals on the floor control the tracks. The right pedal drives the right track, and the left pedal drives the left track. Many machines also have hand levers paired with these pedals, and operators often prefer the levers for making smaller, more precise adjustments. Pushing both pedals forward moves the machine forward. Pulling both back reverses it. The harder you push, the faster the tracks move.
To turn, push only one pedal. The machine pivots around the stationary track. Push the left pedal forward and the machine turns right. Push the right pedal forward and it turns left. For a sharp spin in place, push one pedal forward and the other backward, and the tracks counter-rotate.
Before you drive, make sure the tracks are pointing in the forward direction relative to the cab. If the cab is rotated or the tracks are reversed, your pedal inputs will feel backwards. A simple way to check: the drive motors (the large round housings at the end of each track frame) should be at the rear of the machine. Raise the bucket high enough to clear the ground, keep the boom tucked in so you don’t tip forward, and travel with the attachment leading your direction of movement.
The Digging Cycle
Digging is where the joystick coordination comes together. A basic digging stroke uses three movements in sequence, though experienced operators blend them into one fluid motion.
Start by positioning the machine so the area you want to dig is directly in front of you, within comfortable reach of the arm. Lower the boom to bring the bucket to the ground. Then curl the bucket teeth into the soil by closing the bucket. Now pull the stick back toward the cab. This is the primary digging motion, dragging the bucket through the earth. As the stick pulls back, you can simultaneously curl the bucket closed to keep material from spilling out.
Once the bucket is full, raise the boom to lift it clear of the ground. Swing the cab to wherever you want to dump, whether that’s a truck bed or a spoil pile. Open the bucket by pushing the right joystick to the right (in ISO). Then swing back to the trench and repeat.
The key to smooth, efficient digging is combining multiple joystick inputs at once. Rather than completing one motion before starting the next, you blend them. For example, you can raise the boom and swing simultaneously to save time between cycles. This takes practice, but it’s what separates a beginner from a productive operator. Start with one input at a time and gradually layer them together as you build muscle memory.
Swing Radius and Blind Spots
The upper structure of an excavator (the cab, engine, and counterweight) rotates 360 degrees, and the rear of the machine extends beyond the track footprint during a swing. This creates a crush zone behind and to the sides of the machine that can pin or strike anyone standing nearby. OSHA requires employers to mark these hazard areas with barriers, warning lines, or signs reading “Danger: Swing/Crush Zone.”
As the operator, you’re responsible for knowing where people are before you swing. If someone walks into a blind spot behind the machine, they must notify you before entering that area, and you must not rotate until you’ve confirmed through a pre-arranged signal that they’re clear. Get in the habit of checking your mirrors and camera (if equipped) before every swing. On busy jobsites, use a spotter.
Grade Control Technology
Many modern excavators come with digital grade control systems that display the bucket’s exact position relative to a target depth and slope on an in-cab screen. A 2D system uses sensors on the boom, stick, and bucket to show you how far above or below grade your cutting edge sits, relative to a benchmark you set. It’s an indicate-only system, meaning it shows you the information and you make the adjustments.
A 3D system adds satellite positioning, so the machine knows its exact location on a jobsite design file. You can grade complex surfaces across large areas without constant surveyor checks. Some systems also include a “grade assist” feature that automatically controls the boom and bucket to hold a target depth and slope. You set the grade, control the stick speed with one hand, and the machine handles the rest. Audio alerts tell you when you’ve hit grade and warn you if you’re overcutting or undercutting.
Training and Certification
OSHA does not issue an excavator operator’s license. There is no federal certification you need to carry. However, OSHA does require your employer to train you in recognizing hazards and avoiding unsafe conditions before you operate any heavy equipment. Employers must permit only trained and competent employees to run powered equipment on a jobsite.
If you have no previous experience, on-the-job training and formal apprenticeship programs are the two most common paths. Many equipment rental companies also offer basic orientation sessions. Some states and municipalities have additional licensing requirements beyond federal rules, so check your local regulations before operating commercially. For personal property use, no license is typically required, but taking a hands-on training course is the fastest way to go from reading about joystick patterns to actually moving dirt with confidence.