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.
Course in Construction Vehicles: Hydraulic Excavators — studying from South Africa
Mining, agriculture and construction make off-road and specialised machinery central to South Africa's economy. Mining equipment manufacturers and service providers support the country's extensive gold, platinum and coal operations, while agricultural machinery serves commercial farming. Engineers working on heavy vehicles and special machines focus on hydraulics, drivetrains and durability under harsh conditions. The South African Bureau of Standards and the Mine Health and Safety Council set relevant standards and safety requirements.
Fees for South Africa: R 14 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the professional bodies in South Africa for this area?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any South African body. Engineering registration is handled by ECSA, and machinery safety standards are linked to SABS and the Department of Employment and Labour's regulations. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by employers or the relevant body, so confirm this with them before you enrol.
How might this qualification be used by employers in South Africa in off-road and special vehicles?
Mining, agriculture, construction and vehicle-conversion firms value practical machinery knowledge and proven problem-solving. A private qualification can support your application, especially with hands-on experience, but it carries no official status. Its weight depends on each employer, so ask potential employers in your field how they would view it.
Can I study this programme alongside full-time work from South Africa, and is there a time zone or language issue?
The programme is 100% online and in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Check time-zone and workload expectations with SEIUM directly.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Classify hydraulic excavators by operating weight, undercarriage and application.
Calculate excavation capacity and hourly output.
Interpret lifting capacity tables according to ISO 10567.
Describe hydraulic systems, attachments and guidance technologies.
Plan maintenance and wear control.
Compare fleet options using total cost criteria.
Apply the safety requirements of machinery legislation.
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.
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)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Ranges by operating weight1.2Crawler, wheeled and compact excavators1.3Reduced and zero tail swing: urban applications1.4Conventional and front-shovel configurations1.5One-piece, articulated and two-piece booms1.6Short and long arms; reach and force1.7Special equipment: demolition and extended reach1.8Cab, visibility and ergonomics1.9Reading the manufacturer's technical data sheet1.10Workshop: machine specification for three sites
2.1Reach and depth diagram2.2Breakout forces at the bucket and at the arm2.3Lifting capacity by radius and height2.4Bucket capacity and fill factor2.5Stability and working limits2.6Excavation cycle and times2.7Hourly output by material2.8Matching with trucks2.9Comparison with other excavation solutions2.10Practical: output calculation and selection
3.1Hydraulic circuit: pumps, flow rates and pressures3.2Auxiliary circuits and their sizing3.3Buckets: excavation, cleaning and rock3.4Breaker, grab, shear and pulveriser3.5Demolition heads and screening buckets3.6Quick coupler and compatibility3.7Depth control and guidance systems3.8On-board telematics and diagnostics3.9Electric excavators: status and limitations3.10Practical: attachment selection for a site
4.1Hour-based maintenance programme4.2Undercarriage: inspection, measurement and cost4.3Teeth, side cutters and bucket protection4.4Pins, bushings and equipment clearances4.5Hydraulics: filtration, leaks and hoses4.6Oil analysis and condition monitoring4.7Major repairs and rebuilds4.8Critical spare parts and stock4.9Maintenance cost per hour4.10Practical: maintenance plan and wear measurement
5.1Hourly ownership and operating cost5.2Fuel consumption by application and working mode5.3Depreciation, residual value and service life5.4Optimal replacement point5.5Buy, rent or subcontract5.6Cost per cubic metre excavated5.7Effect of the attachment on unit cost5.8Minimum utilisation to justify purchase5.9Machine budget on a site5.10Practical: economic comparison of two machines
6.1Excavation, trenches and foundations6.2Selective demolition and recycling6.3Quarry work and loading of rock material6.4Urban works and space constraints6.5Lifting loads with an excavator: conditions6.6Machinery and emissions legislation6.7Machine transport and permits6.8Operator training and authorisation6.9Common errors in machine selection6.10Final project: machinery plan for an excavation
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.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Classify hydraulic excavators by operating weight, undercarriage and application.
Calculate excavation capacity and hourly output.
Interpret lifting capacity tables according to ISO 10567.
Describe hydraulic systems, attachments and guidance technologies.
Plan maintenance and wear control.
Where this takes you
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.
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.
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