Ag Equipment Operator

Job description

Ag Equipment operator description
The agricultural equipment operator position includes duties associated with the planting, cultivation and harvesting of cotton, soybeans, corn and milo. This work can require standing, walking, stooping, bending, and lifting up to 75 pounds for long periods of time outdoors in all weather conditions. This work requires adherence to important food safety and quality standard operating procedures and the ability to work quickly and consistently alongside fellow workers with a positive, professional, team based attitude and a consideration for the safety and health of fellow workers and of the consumers who will purchase the crops grown, harvested, and shipped from the farm.

Workers must use care when performing their farm work duties and exercise consciousness. Workers must adhere to all safety rules as instructed by their supervisors and all farm work operations must meet the standards and specifications given by the employer. Workers will be instructed in the safety and operation of the vehicle/equipment before operating. All vehicles should be driven in a manner to protect workers, in-field crops, and equipment. Operators should ensure all equipment is functioning correctly before operating. The use of all necessary PPE and safety equipment including wearing of seatbelt at all times when operating farm equipment is mandatory. Vehicles that workers may operate include: all farm equipment such as tractors, combines, grain carts, cotton pickers, hay rakes, tedders, hay balers, sprayers, fertilizer spreaders, mowers, skid steers, trucks and semi's. Workers may assist with the repair, service, and maintenance of farm equipment including the prep, cleaning, lubrication, assembly, inspection, dismantling of equipment parts.

Workers will occasionally be responsible for weeding by hand and hoe while keeping fields clear. Workers will drive tractors to till, plant, irrigate, cultivate, and harvest row crops. Specifically they will set up and operate irrigation equipment; plant, cultivate, spray, and harvest crops, apply pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers to crops; clear and maintain irrigation ditches. They will be required to drive agricultural equipment and use various hand tools as required for each task. Drive tractors to move crops, supplies, tools. Load containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks. Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, sometimes using hand sprayers. Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery. Irrigate soil, using portable pipes or ditch systems, and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps. Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, hand trucks, or forklifts, or transfer augers.