Equipment Operator

Job description

The agricultural equipment operator position includes duties associated with the planting, cultivation, harvesting of agricultural commodities. This work can require standing, walking, stooping, bending, and lifting up to 50 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, turf harvester 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. Harvested grain is driven by tractors and attached grain carts unloaded at the grain bins and elevator for storage. Operators at the storage bins monitor the synchronized flow of grain from the dump pit conveyor up the bucket elevator discharged to various chain conveyors carried over and released into the grain storage bins. During harvest the combine operator makes necessary adjustments to combine and header to enhance the quality and volume of product produced. Adjustments such as ground speed, header height control, reel speed, threshing concave settings, etc Turf: Workers will operate and maintain turf harvester. Duties includes, loading harvester with pallets, transferring crops to loading areas and transferring trucks and pallets to harvest areas. Workers will operate, maintain and clean tractor, mower and sod harvester, taking care to remove all debris. Workers will operate, maintain and clean forklift, tractor with various implements and self-propelled sprayer.
On a daily basis drivers/operators will perform routine maintenance repair and replacement of parts provided and the necessary hand tools to adjust, lubricate, refuel their equipment. center pivot sprinkler systems irrigate the land. Operators maintain diesel power units that power generators and pumps that force water down ¼ mile long pipe spans. Sprinklers are observed to ensure uniform distribution of water to all areas.

Workers may be required to perform work on the farm that is incidental to producing the crops such as performing hand weeding or hoeing, and repairing buildings, maintaining grounds, operate tractor/farm equipment, incidental crop setup when needed. Tasks will include checking and repairing fencing, movement of irrigation systems and equipment, as well as cleaning around fields.