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The HEO-B exam has 75 questions and runs 2 hours.
These 10 free HEO-B questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Heavy Equipment Operator: Backhoe blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
While wiping a hydraulic hose, an operator feels a sharp sting and finds a tiny puncture with little bleeding. A fine jet of oil is visible at the hose. The machine is shut down and secured. The operator says the hand barely hurts. What should happen next?
Correct answer: A - Arrange immediate emergency medical evaluation for a possible fluid-injection injury.
A trained operator receives a replacement backhoe with an approved joystick pattern different from the one used on the previous machine. The selector, control decals, and interlocks are serviceable. Before starting production, the operator should:
Correct answer: C - Verify the selected pattern and test individual functions slowly in a clear area.
Loaded with approved material, a backhoe must descend a firm, straight haul road. The grade and load are within the machine's operating limits, and the loader bucket is in the prescribed low carrying position. Which travel technique maintains control on the descent?
Correct answer: C - Select the appropriate low range before descending and remain in gear.
The grade checker takes a 4.20-ft backsight on a benchmark at elevation 100.00 ft. Without moving the level, the checker reads 5.65 ft on an upright rod resting on the current excavation bottom. The design bottom elevation is 98.10 ft. What adjustment should the operator make at this point?
Correct answer: D - Cut 0.45 ft.
The sewer plan gives a design pipe-invert elevation and requires bedding beneath the outside of the pipe barrel. The grade checker has mistakenly used the invert elevation as the excavation-bottom target. Before the cut is finished, how should that target be corrected?
Correct answer: B - Lower it by the combined bedding and bottom-wall thicknesses.
During a competent person's soil assessment, representative cohesive samples have an unconfined compressive strength of 2.0 tons per square foot. The excavation face is fissured. There is no free seepage, adverse layering, or other Type C condition. Which conclusion follows from OSHA's soil-classification criteria?
Correct answer: A - Type B applies because fissures disqualify the soil from Type A.
A straight excavation is 54 ft long, 4 ft wide at the bottom, and 3 ft deep in level ground. Both long sides slope at 1 horizontal to 1 vertical, giving a constant trapezoidal cross-section. End-slope quantities are excluded. The excavated soil swells 20% relative to its bank volume, with no material loss. How much loose material must be hauled?
Correct answer: C - 50.4 cubic yards
A backhoe operator fills the bucket in a trench, then starts swinging toward the spoil pile while the teeth are still below the trench lip. The bucket drags across the sidewall. The machine is properly supported and the spoil location is suitable. Which change corrects the operating error?
Correct answer: B - Lift the filled bucket clear of the trench before starting the swing.
After fitting a different bucket, the operator confirms that both bucket pins appear seated in the quick coupler. The locking indicator shows engaged, and the required secondary pin is installed. Which final step checks the connection before the attachment is put to work?
Correct answer: D - Perform the manufacturer's connection test, keeping people clear of the attachment.
A dump truck is positioned for backhoe loading with a clear bucket path into the body. Its cab has a shield that provides adequate protection from shifting or falling material. Ground personnel are clear of the loading area, and the driver remains inside the protected cab. Under OSHA's falling-load requirements, which instruction is appropriate?
Correct answer: D - Allow the driver to remain inside the adequately protected cab during loading.
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