Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, metal or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Equipment may include tractors, dozers, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, chainsaws, bobcats, skid loaders, high lifts, and trucks or other vehicles. Mechanically plant, cultivate and harvest seed potatoes, grain, alfalfa, beans and corn. Sort and grade harvest seed potatoes on moving conveyor belt or rolling table. Removing rotten or defective potatoes debris, foreign material dirt, rocks and off types. Keep all work areas clean by picking up any stray material, sweeping floors and sanitizing machinery and surface areas. Sanitize trucks upon arrival. Load seed into trucks. Grade, sort and cut potato seed for seed planting preparation. Operate potato disinfecting/washing machine, Repair, maintain, wash, and sanitize potato storage bins and other storage containers. Ride on potato planter and harvester. Rouge potato fields looking for variety mix or disease plants. Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install, or remove and repair gear boxes on irrigation pivot machines. Change and repair tires on irrigation pivots machines. Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Workers must operate all equipment properly and in a manner that protects operator, others, the employer's products and property. Failure to comply with safety requirements and operating instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, post-harvest activities and other manual tasks. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Workers must comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Use farm equipment to cut, pull, dig, thresh, clean, chop or bag harvested crops. Load/unload harvested crops/commodities or other materials manually or with mechanized equipment such as conveyors, or hand trucks. Perform manual and mechanized tasks including but not limited to: bushhogging fields; disking; aerating; seeding; fertilizing, weed spraying, mowing, tedding, raking, and stacking. Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery. Adjust speeds of cutters, blowers, and conveyors and height of cutting head. Clean, adjust, repair, and perform routine service on equipment (e.g., lubricating grease points, inspecting and maintaining fluid levels, checking belt and conveyor tensions, and maintaining tires, wheels, bearings, belts, and other wear parts). Repair or replace defective parts. Attach farm implements (e.g., plows, harrows, discs, sprayers) using hand tools. May assist with other general farm maintenance or repairs. Check field, equipment and crop conditions and inform farm owner/manager. May haul grain to grain bins and unload grains. Sweep grain bins as needed.

Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Special Requirements

Three months verifiable experience operating agricultural equipment. Perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving whole body, such as climbing, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. Lifting, carrying and loading up to 100 lbs. Work in cold and hot climatic conditions. Use hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating items. Must be detail oriented. Knowledge of the English language, to understand verbal instructions. Knowledge of machines and tools, including their design, uses, repair and general maintenance.