Agricultural Equipment Operator

Job description

On our operation we farm cotton and peanuts mainly under irrigation pivots. We start prepping land in the springtime
(February), service pivots and get all the wells in good working order before the planting of crops which starts in May. After planting we will run irrigation pivots about 95% of the growing season along with all the other farming practices until the crop is harvested between October and November. During this time there is a lot of labor-intensive work, and timing deadlines we must meet to run a successful farm. After all the crops are harvested, the equipment gets cleaned up and stored away for the winter. During the winter months we do not grow any crops for harvest. Winter work mainly consists of repair work or building projects in the shop, and some planting of cover crops that stay dormant until springtime. All these duties require no timing deadlines and are things that my wife and I can accomplish without the help of H2A employees.

Job duties will include: prepare fields for planting, attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools, operate tractors, planters, sprayers, seed drills, irrigation equipment, operate other farm equipment, engage in planting, weeding, spraying and/or harvesting activities, fertilize, dust, and spray crops, spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers, guide products on conveyors to regulate flow through machines, and to discard diseased or rotten products, irrigate soil, using portable pipes or ditch systems, and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps, install, maintain and repair pivot irrigation systems, load and unload crops or materials, manually or using conveyors, forklifts, or transfer augers, load hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks, manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery, mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into machinery, observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions, position boxes or attach bags at discharge ends of machinery to catch products, removing and closing full containers, weigh crop-filled containers, and record weights and other identifying information, attach equipment extensions or accessories, load crops and unload crops, operate equipment to harvest crops, complete maintenance and repairs on irrigation equipment, record agricultural data, drive pickups to haul crops, supplies, and tools, inspect, adjust, and complete routine maintenance and repairs on equipment Employer may provide pay increases for performance, longevity and/or experience at employer’s discretion. Employer may provide performance bonuses at the end of the contract at the employer’s discretion.

Special Requirements

Job requires exposure to extreme outdoor temperatures, extensive pushing or pulling, extensive sitting or walking, frequent stooping or bending over, repetitive movements. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. Must have a regular driver's license. Requires 3 months farm experience.