For this reason it is very hard to get a start in the job, a lot of plant drivers come from being machine operators who learn to drive HGV or held a licence anyway. It took ages for me to get a foot in the door and then I just had to learn by watching and asking.
Thats how i ended up on plant, did 7 or so years on machines and just over 2 on tippers, now on 6 wheeler beaver, lots of different work and love it. Only thing what gets on my ■■■■ is everyone on site has a key but it always theirs! I must have gone through a dozen spare keys in a fortnight and the gaffer keeps askin if im saving them to weigh em in 
I never give keys out, I have a massive bunch of various keys that stay in the cab unless needed. I’ve also got JCB, CAT, Lucas and Thwaites keys on the lorry keyring. Any more duplicates go to make subsequent sets of keys, that get left at home, in the car etc. That way if one set goes missing I’ve always got another set.
I still maintain that the smallest items, skiploaders, 80 rollers and 0.75 / 1.5 t mini diggers are the worst things to load. Too top heavy and not much protection for the operator.
Although when I was on the piling job I was unloading a Hutte 203
They are pedestrian controlled and the controls are between the rig and powerpack. The rig weighs about 7t and the car sized powerpack about 2.5t as the rig went over the knife edge the weight of the popwerpack started it to slide. I can recommend that the safest thng to do in this instance is to dive headfirst off the side ofthe beavertail 
I’m still alive 
Only main scare iv’e had so far was driving a 120 roller on in the rain, metal on metal dont get on at the best of times, next thing i was sideways with the front end going over the edge, just closed my eyes and held tight. Defo a brown trouser moment!
Our place has a little kubota 3/4t and i walk at the side of it theres no way im gonna sit on it and tackle the ramps, as you say they’re top heavy so i aint adding my weight to it (its all in the name 
) H&S wouldn’t agree tho 
I agree with you that the smaller machines seem to bite hardest!
It was an 80 roller that I had fun with in pretty much the same way!