Ag Equipment Operator

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
Manure/fertilizer application, straw, hay/haylage, corn/silage, and field work.
Drive trucks and operate heavy duty farm equipment to apply manure/fertilizer to fields via a dragline operation. Workers may drive the following: Semi trucks 26,001+ lbs GVW, Straight Trucks 26,001+ lbs GVW, Straight Trucks under 26,001 lbs GVW, or pickup trucks. This is a transfer/shuttle of equipment and manure/fertilizer between worksites. Does not deliver to customers.

Operate equipment to agitate and transfer manure/fertilizer in lagoons or pits. Lay hose out from farm to dragline in field in safe and efficient manner via tractors and hose reel carts. Monitor high pressure hose and pump engines while manure/fertilizer is transferred from farm to dragline in field. Hook tank trailers up to holding tank for application of manure/fertilizer from tanker to dragline when manure/fertilizer is trucked beyond a hoses reach. May also apply manure/fertilizer with a tractor and hitch drawn manure/fertilizer tank, apply to fields directly. Workers will drive tractors and operate designated towed machines, such as manure/fertilizer tanks, dragline application toolbars, hose reel carts and hose hustlers, to fertilize crops. Workers may also haul manure/fertilizer via tankers from farm to field.

Assist with forage and silage harvest: cut hay, rake and or merge for drying, deliver chopped feed to feed bunk via truck and/or tractor and trailer, pack feed with tractor, cover silage piles. May also bale hay and or straw, move with skid loaders or high lift loaders, and transport to storage location. Utilize excavation equipment to close lagoons and perform various other tasks from customer base.

Use power equipment including but not limited to: tractors of various horse power, mowers, plows, dragline application toolbars, excavation equipment, power shears, chain saws, high lifts, skid loaders, UTV. Must operate agricultural equipment safely, with or without direction. All machinery and equipment to be cleaned after use.

Service farm machinery, pump engines, trucks and trailers. Make in-field repairs. Service/repairs includes but is not limited to: fueling, changing filters, inspecting for wear and or failure, lubricating grease points; inspecting and maintaining fluid levels, tire air pressures, belt and conveyer chain tensions, radiator and filter function, and brake performance; removing and replacing tires, wheels, bearings, belts, wear parts, filters, brake shoes, wheel seals, suspension parts, lights and lenses and chain or chain links. Minor and incidental welding within the scope of basic maintenance/repair. Workers will not fabricate new metal parts or equipment but will do in-field repairs on broken equipment.Prepare, maintain, stock, move supplies.

Workers with appropriate licenses may be asked to move farm equipment and drive trucks between worksites. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. All workers will be responsible for picking up trash, cleaning equipment, mowing grass, delivering and receiving goods and supplies, sweeping floors and other farm sanitation duties. Powerwash manure/fertilizer application equipment for biosecurity between work sites and after worksite job completion.

Restrooms available at the farm, owners shop or house, or workers may take work truck into town.

Work is done in the field for long periods of time. Workers may assist in handling product weighing up to 50 pounds and lifting to a height of 5 feet. Workers must work on their feet in bent positions for long periods of time. Work requires repetitive movements and extensive walking. Work required in fields when plants are wet with dew and rain, and may be required during light rain, snow, moderate winds, direct sun, high humidity and extreme temperatures. Temperatures in fields during working hours can range from 20 to over 95 degrees F.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 3 months of verifiable agricultural experience, preferably handling both manual and mechanized tasks. Applicants must be able to furnish verifiable job reference(s) or comparable third party documentation from recent employer(s) establishing acceptable prior experience. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Employer-paid post-hire drug testing required. Workers with clean driving record and/or insurable driver's license may be required to drive company vehicles.