CourseOff-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery Applications open

Course in Construction Vehicles: Hydraulic Excavators

Online 300 h course in construction vehicles: hydraulic excavators. 6 modules covering ISO 7135 (hydraulic excavators: terminology and specifications), ISO 10567 (excavator lifting capacity) and Komatsu KOMTRAX. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Classify hydraulic excavators by operating weight, undercarriage and application.

02

Calculate excavation capacity and hourly output.

03

Interpret lifting capacity tables according to ISO 10567.

04

Describe hydraulic systems, attachments and guidance technologies.

05

Plan maintenance and wear control.

06

Compare fleet options using total cost criteria.

07

Apply the safety requirements of machinery legislation.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Civil works plant manager who wants to specialise in Construction Vehicles: hydraulic excavators.
  • Earthmoving engineer who wants to specialise in Construction Vehicles: hydraulic excavators.
  • Excavator fleet manager who wants to specialise in Construction Vehicles: hydraulic excavators.
  • Hydraulic machinery maintenance technician who wants to specialise in Construction Vehicles: hydraulic excavators.
  • 3D machine guidance specialist who wants to specialise in Construction Vehicles: hydraulic excavators.
  • Machinery technical sales representative who wants to specialise in Construction Vehicles: hydraulic excavators.
  • Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter public works.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 7135 (hydraulic excavators: terminology and specifications)
  • ISO 10567 (excavator lifting capacity)
  • ISO 7451 (rated capacity of excavator buckets)
  • ISO 20474-5 (safety requirements for hydraulic excavators)
  • ISO 12117-2 (roll-over protective structures on excavators)
  • ISO 13031 (quick couplers)
  • Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (machinery)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Ranges by operating weight
  2. 1.2Crawler, wheeled and compact excavators
  3. 1.3Reduced and zero tail swing: urban applications
  4. 1.4Conventional and front-shovel configurations
  5. 1.5One-piece, articulated and two-piece booms
  6. 1.6Short and long arms; reach and force
  7. 1.7Special equipment: demolition and extended reach
  8. 1.8Cab, visibility and ergonomics
  9. 1.9Reading the manufacturer's technical data sheet
  10. 1.10Workshop: machine specification for three sites
  1. 2.1Reach and depth diagram
  2. 2.2Breakout forces at the bucket and at the arm
  3. 2.3Lifting capacity by radius and height
  4. 2.4Bucket capacity and fill factor
  5. 2.5Stability and working limits
  6. 2.6Excavation cycle and times
  7. 2.7Hourly output by material
  8. 2.8Matching with trucks
  9. 2.9Comparison with other excavation solutions
  10. 2.10Practical: output calculation and selection
  1. 3.1Hydraulic circuit: pumps, flow rates and pressures
  2. 3.2Auxiliary circuits and their sizing
  3. 3.3Buckets: excavation, cleaning and rock
  4. 3.4Breaker, grab, shear and pulveriser
  5. 3.5Demolition heads and screening buckets
  6. 3.6Quick coupler and compatibility
  7. 3.7Depth control and guidance systems
  8. 3.8On-board telematics and diagnostics
  9. 3.9Electric excavators: status and limitations
  10. 3.10Practical: attachment selection for a site
  1. 4.1Hour-based maintenance programme
  2. 4.2Undercarriage: inspection, measurement and cost
  3. 4.3Teeth, side cutters and bucket protection
  4. 4.4Pins, bushings and equipment clearances
  5. 4.5Hydraulics: filtration, leaks and hoses
  6. 4.6Oil analysis and condition monitoring
  7. 4.7Major repairs and rebuilds
  8. 4.8Critical spare parts and stock
  9. 4.9Maintenance cost per hour
  10. 4.10Practical: maintenance plan and wear measurement
  1. 5.1Hourly ownership and operating cost
  2. 5.2Fuel consumption by application and working mode
  3. 5.3Depreciation, residual value and service life
  4. 5.4Optimal replacement point
  5. 5.5Buy, rent or subcontract
  6. 5.6Cost per cubic metre excavated
  7. 5.7Effect of the attachment on unit cost
  8. 5.8Minimum utilisation to justify purchase
  9. 5.9Machine budget on a site
  10. 5.10Practical: economic comparison of two machines
  1. 6.1Excavation, trenches and foundations
  2. 6.2Selective demolition and recycling
  3. 6.3Quarry work and loading of rock material
  4. 6.4Urban works and space constraints
  5. 6.5Lifting loads with an excavator: conditions
  6. 6.6Machinery and emissions legislation
  7. 6.7Machine transport and permits
  8. 6.8Operator training and authorisation
  9. 6.9Common errors in machine selection
  10. 6.10Final project: machinery plan for an excavation
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Komatsu KOMTRAX, Trimble Earthworks, Leica iCON, Advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for calculating excavation output on site, verification of lifting tables, and inspection of bucket and tooth wear. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test bench, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL and vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating limits.
Industry-mentored:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, OT cyber, DIH and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Excavation, trenches and foundations

Classify hydraulic excavators by operating weight, undercarriage and application.

Selective demolition and recycling

Calculate excavation capacity and hourly output.

Quarry work and loading of rock material

Interpret lifting capacity tables according to ISO 10567.

Urban works and space constraints

Describe hydraulic systems, attachments and guidance technologies.

Lifting loads with an excavator: conditions

Plan maintenance and wear control.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Civil works plant managerEarthmoving engineerExcavator fleet managerHydraulic machinery maintenance technician3D machine guidance specialistMachinery technical sales representative
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.

You will work with Komatsu KOMTRAX, Trimble Earthworks, Leica iCON and Advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

An own SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.

Course in Construction Vehicles: Hydraulic ExcavatorsEnrol
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