26-755 Agricultural Equipment Operator

Work Tasks to be performed

• Drive tractors, balers, combines, grain carts and operate other mechanized farm equipment to plant, cultivate, and harvest grain, hay, and/or oilseed crops.
• 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.
• Mow, cut, and weed fields. 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.
• 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, including cleaning grain storage facilities.
• Install/maintain irrigation systems and water lines. Move and install irrigation pipes and equipment. Dig and maintain ditches. Install and remove levee gates.
• 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.
• Load and unload agricultural products or crops onto trucks.

Qualifications

The Employer attests that these workers will be properly trained by the farm manager who has a valid Private Applicator license which is the standard pursuant to Washington State Department of Agriculture regulations.