This new edition of a trusted reference has been completely updated to keep excavating contractors, operating engineers, and those learning the trade current with state-of-the-art equipment usage and the most efficient excavating and grading techniques.

Whether you're already in the business, or planning to take the leap, this book borrows from years of the down-in-the-dirt experiences of trusted authority, Nick Capachi. It's an encyclopedia of excavating and grading knowledge, including photographs and diagrams that illustrate just how the work should be done.

Co-written with his son, John, Nick combines their nearly 70 years on the job to teach you - in simple terms - just what you need to know to reach and stay at the top of your game.

In these pages you'll learn how to:

• Read topo maps
• Set crows feet
• Install water, drain and sewer pipes
• Lay or remove asphaltic concrete
• Use a laser level
• Cut drainage channels
• Pressure-test sewer pipes
• Use GPS and sonar for absolute precision

No jobsite is without problems. Knowing how to deal with these problems, or how to prevent them, can save you hours - even days. In this practical manual, the authors guide you through just about every difficulty you'll find on a job site. You'll find procedures and essential job-sequencing techniques that can make or break a job, plus pointers for tough situations that other earthwork instruction manuals don't want to tackle. Don't you want to be set apart as a top operator?

New in this edition: GPS - Global Positioning System - a time-saving survey and grade-control tool installed on much of the heavy equipment you'll be using. Also includes use of sonar technologies. Using these two technologies will save you time and money on most of your jobs.

CD-ROM included: Testing is the best way to learn, so each chapter ends with a set of review questions. The CD-ROM has 250 questions in a simple interactive format that makes learning fun. This is an excellent resource for the experienced operator seeking to brush up, or any trainee preparing to take the license exam. You'll find the Interactive Study Center will be your most-valuable study tool.

About the Author

Nick Capachi has over 48 years experience as a contractor, foreman and superintendent on all kinds of excavation, road and pipeline work, from interstate highways and sewer trunk lines to subdivisions, industrial and commercial jobs, and airport runways. He's licensed in both general engineering and sanitation systems contracting. John Capachi followed in his father's footsteps over 20 years ago, starting as a laborer, advancing to grade setter, and in five years, to foreman, a position he's held for the past 15 years. He too works on road and subdivision projects, and has special expertise in working in rock. He holds a degree in business management, and like his father, is an active member of Operating Engineers Local 3.