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Also known as:
Cane Flume Chute Operator, Combine Driver, Combine Operator, Corn Detasseler Machine Operator, Cotton Ginner, Cotton Picker Operator, Custom Harvester, Farm Tractor Operator, Hay Baler, Hay Stacker Operator
Some farms grow wheat, corn, or cotton. Others grow fruit or vegetables. All farms need special machines and farm equipment operators to control them.
Many farm machines, including planters and tillers, are pulled or powered by tractors. Others, such as harvesters and combines are self-conta ...
ined. In general, the equipment tends to be rugged and relatively easy to run and repair.
But even with air-conditioned operator cabs and built-in stereo sound, plowing or harvesting hundred of acres of farmland can be tedious. The work can also be dangerous since the same machines that chop or cut crops can just as easily slice off a finger or a hand.
Today there are still family members who work the land of their forefathers. But many farm equipment operators are employed full-time by large "agribusiness" companies. Still others are independent businesspeople who own harvesters and other equipment and contract their services directly to farmers.
SNAPSHOT
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Drive and control farm equipment to till soil and to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. May perform tasks, such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks, such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.
Leadership
HIGH
Critical decision making
HIGH
Level of responsibilities
HIGH
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines
MED
Dealing and handling conflict
LOW
Competition for this position
LOW
Communication with others
LOW
Work closely with team members, clients etc.
HIGH
Comfort of the work setting
LOW
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions
LOW
Exposure to job hazards
LOW
Physical demands
LOW
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DAILY TASKS
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Irrigate soil, using portable pipes or ditch systems, and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps.
Operate towed machines such as seed drills or manure spreaders to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops.
Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers.
Load hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.
Drive trucks to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers.
Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.
Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment.
Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.
Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions.
Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.
Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
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Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE
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Food Production
Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Telecommunications
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
KEY ABILITIES
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Multilimb Coordination
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Depth Perception
The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Hearing Sensitivity
The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
TOP SKILLS
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Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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