Agricultural Equipment Operators

Skills

• Operation and Control

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Operations Monitoring

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Troubleshooting

  Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

• 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.

• Equipment Maintenance

  Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Abilities

• Control Precision

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• 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.

• Near Vision

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• 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.

• Far Vision

  The ability to see details at a distance.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

• Less than high school diploma
  57 %
• High school diploma or equivalent
  19 %

  or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

• Post-secondary certificate
  14 %

  Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

Work Activities

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

• Controlling Machines and Processes

  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• Handling and Moving Objects

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Detailed Work Activities

• Load agricultural or forestry products for shipment.
• Prepare materials or solutions for animal or plant use.
• Apply chemical solutions to plants to protect against disease or insects or to enhance growth.
• Inspect equipment or facilities to determine condition or maintenance needs.
• Operate farming equipment.

Work Interests

• Realistic

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.