Practice Exam Questions And Correct

Ohio Heavy Equipment Operator Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2025|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of pre-operational equipment

inspection?

• To meet legal OSHA paperwork rules
• To identify and correct issues before operation
• To ensure operator comfort
• To check fuel mileage

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Pre-operational inspections verify equipment condition

and safety before work begins, preventing accidents and breakdowns. 1 / 3

• When lifting a load with a loader, where should the bucket load be

kept while moving?

• As high as possible
• Low to the ground
• Tilted fully back
• Fully raised

Rationale: Keeping the load low lowers the center of gravity and

increases stability while traveling.

3. Trenching deeper than 5 feet requires:

• A bigger excavator
• A certified foreman present
• A protective system (sloping, benching, shoring, shielding)
• An engineer signature

Rationale: OSHA requires protective systems for trenches 5 feet or

deeper to prevent cave-ins.

4. The most stable position for a grader blade while traveling is:

• Fully lowered
• Fully lifted
• Slightly raised off the ground
• At maximum tilt

Rationale: A slightly raised blade prevents ground contact while

maintaining equipment balance. 2 / 3

• What is the swing radius?
• The engine RPM range
• The circular area the upper structure of equipment can rotate in
• The bucket dumping radius only
• The counterweight extension only

Rationale: Swing radius defines the rotating clearance zone of

excavators and cranes, critical for personnel safety.

6. When operating a backhoe on a slope, the safest travel direction is:

• Sideways
• Up and down the slope
• Diagonal across
• In reverse only

Rationale: Traveling up and down slopes reduces the chance of

tipping.

• Which attachment is best for breaking large rocks?
• Bucket with teeth
• Smooth bucket
• Hydraulic hammer
• Tilt blade

Rationale: Hydraulic hammers are designed to break rock and

concrete efficiently.

• When operating heavy equipment, the term "center of gravity" refers

to:

• / 3