Logging Equipment Operators
What is a Logging Equipment Operator?
Logging Equipment Operators are specialized professionals responsible for the operation of heavy machinery utilized in the logging industry. Their primary role involves the safe and efficient harvesting of timber from forests and woodlands. These operators handle a variety of machinery, including feller bunchers, skidders, and log loaders, ensuring that logs are cut, moved, and processed according to industry standards and safety regulations. They are crucial in preparing timber for transport to processing facilities, and their work contributes significantly to the forestry sector's sustainability and resource management efforts. Logging Equipment Operators must be skilled in machinery operation, maintenance, and safety practices to minimize risks associated with heavy equipment and logging operations in often challenging and remote environments.
Tasks
- Inspect equipment for safety prior to use, and perform necessary basic maintenance tasks.
- Control hydraulic tractors equipped with tree clamps and booms to lift, swing, and bunch sheared trees.
- Grade logs according to characteristics such as knot size and straightness, and according to established industry or company standards.
- Drive straight or articulated tractors equipped with accessories such as bulldozer blades, grapples, logging arches, cable winches, and crane booms to skid, load, unload, or stack logs, pull stumps, or clear brush.
- Drive crawler or wheeled tractors to drag or transport logs from felling sites to log landing areas for processing and loading.
Technology Skills
-
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
-
Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook
-
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- SAP software
-
Office suite software
- Microsoft Office software
-
Word processing software
- Microsoft Word
Tools Used
- Lumbering equipment
- Flatbed trailers
- Forestry skidders
- Grapples
- Two way radios
Knowledge
-
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
-
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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.
-
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
-
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.
-
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Abilities
-
Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
-
Reaction Time
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
-
Less than high school diploma
-
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
-
Post-secondary certificate
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.
-
Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
-
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.
-
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
-
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Detailed Work Activities
- Inspect equipment or facilities to determine condition or maintenance needs.
- Maintain forestry, hunting, or agricultural equipment.
- Operate forestry equipment.
- Evaluate log quality.
- Cut trees or logs.
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.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$30930.0 - $68750.0
New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.