Agricultural Equipment Operators

Job description

Crops/Commodities:
hay, corn, soybeans, sorghum, small grain, cattle, switchgrass, vetch.
This job requires a minimum of 6 months of previous agricultural employment experience on a hay, grain or cattle farm, handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with commodity production and operating agricultural equipment. Must be able to drive and operate farm machinery to plant, cultivate, harvest and store grain and hay crops. Works with cattle and in equipment maintenance. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Perform manual and machine tasks associated with the production of hay, corn, soybeans, sorghum and small grain, and specialy crops, including switchgrass and vetch, including but not limited to: bushhogging fields; disking; aerating; seeding (using mechanical drills and seeders); fertilizing; weed spraying with spray rig; mowing, tedding, raking, baling, and stacking hay; and operating grain carts. Plant, cultivate and harvest crops. Mow, cut, and weed fields. Perform ditching, shoveling, hoeing, hauling, ground preparation, and other manual tasks. Bending, stooping and kneeling required. Use hand tools including but not limited to hoes, shovels, shears, clippers, loppers, and saws. Lift, carry, and load/unload products or supplies. Use power equipment including but not limited to: tractors, planters, mowers, plows, sprayers, cultivators, power shears, chain saws, high lifts, fork lifts, skid loaders. Till ground with tractor. Drive nurse truck with tank on flat bed to field to mix pesticides for sprayer. Assist spray operator with sprayer. Deliver seed and liquid nitrogen to corn planter. Plant corn and soybeans. Load trailers with dry fertilizer and take to the field. Assist the fertilizer spreader operator with loading of the spreader. Drive tractor with grain cart. Drive combine to harvest corn and soybeans. Haul corn and soybeans to grain storage facility. Unload and load corn and soybeans at grain storage facility. Must operate agricultural equipment safely, with or without direction. Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other crop protectants. Mix and apply fertilizers, plant growth chemicals, conditioners, and other plant related treatments at the correct times depending on plant type, growth, climate and crop conditions. Assist with farm building/field maintenance and repairs. Build/repair fences.

Operate self-propelled custom class harvesting machines to harvest a variety of grain, grass and oilseed crops. Adjust speeds of cutters, blowers and conveyors and height of cutting head, using hand tools. Change cutting head as appropriate for crop. Service machinery, trucks and trailers. Make in-field repairs. Service/repairs includes but is not limited to: 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. Transport crop to elevator, storage, or other location. Transfer grain to/between grain store(s). Transfer bulk agricultural products between facilities. Under supervision, assist with servicing, cleaning and maintenance of farm equipment, trucks, trailers and machinery.

Examines animals for diseases, injuries and health issues, such as respiratory, feet injuries. Assist with livestock vaccination. Apply routine medications. Supply mineral and salt blocks. Check water troughs and streams for adequate water supply. Clean water trough. Clean barns of manure and old bedding. Haul manure to fields and spread it. Tend to cuts and bruises. Spray livestock with insecticide. Assist with livestock castration.

Special Requirements

This job requires a minimum of 6 months of previous agricultural employment experience on a hay, grain or cattle farm, handling both manual and mechanized tasks associated with commodity production and operating agricultural equipment. Must be able to drive and operate farm machinery to plant, cultivate, harvest and store grain and hay crops. Works with cattle and in equipment maintenance. Applicants must be able to furnish verbal or written statement establishing relevant prior work experience. Workers must be able to perform manual and mechanized tasks with accuracy and efficiency. Saturday work required. Must be able to lift/carry 60 lbs. Clean driving record required. A clean driving record has no disqualifying factors under applicable law or under employers motor vehicle insurance policy.