Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Crops/Commodities: hay, corn.

Drive tractors and balers, and operate other mechanized farm equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest hay and corn. Perform manual and mechanized tasks including but not limited to: bushhogging fields; disking; aerating; seeding (using mechanical drills and seeders); fertilizing, weed spraying, mowing, tedding, raking, baling, and stacking. Operate grain carts. Push and pack feed bunker silos.

Mow, cut, and weed fields. Till soil. Prepare and/or clear land for planting using mechanized or hand equipment to remove trash, rocks, or other debris or material that may interfere with planting or harvesting activities. Level land by moving dirt and other materials. Equipment may include tractors, dozers, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chainsaws, bobcats, skid loaders, high lifts, and trucks or other vehicles. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, 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.

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.

Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates. Use mowers and weed eaters on employer's premises and around buildings and equipment. Clean and maintain work areas, grounds, and facilities. Repair fences and farm buildings. Perform farm, field, and shed sanitation duties. 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. Drive trucks or other vehicles to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers on or off the farm.

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. Must wear assigned personal protective equipment when required. Must report for work daily wearing work clothing and boots or other durable foot wear. Workers wearing clothing inappropriate for work will not be permitted to start work. Supervisor(s) will provide instructions and directions to workers. Workers must be able to comprehend and follow instructions and communicate effectively to supervisors. Unusual, complex or non-routine activities will be supervised. Workers expected to perform basic duties in a proficient manner without close supervision. 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.

Special Requirements

Three months of agricultural equipment operation experience required. Perform prolonged sitting, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying and loading up to 50 lbs. repetitively and work outside in extremely hot, cold and/or wet weather. Valid Class D License is required. Obtain a state drivers license, when required by law, upon arrival. Employer is a drug free workplace. Drug testing is conducted post hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Employees may be subject to a drug test upon suspicion or in the case of a work related accident.