Plant Operator

Agricultural, Forestry and Horticultural Plant Operators operate agricultural, forestry and horticultural plant to clear and cultivate land, sow and harvest crops, and fell trees and move logs.

As a mobile plant operator you will be involved in preparing, maintaining, and operating a range of agricultural machinery, equipment and vehicles used in cultivating, planting, and harvesting of crops. You will also help drive trucks, operate stationary machinery, and other machinery tasks associated with post-harvest activities. The work is usually contract in nature involving mainly tractors, trucks, headers and associated agricultural equipment in grain and horticulture.

Job Titles

Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator
Logging Plant Operator

Tasks

preparing and positioning plant for operation
operating tractor-drawn and self-propelled plant to plough land and sow, fertilise, cultivate and harvest crops, and avoid damaging crops
adjusting speed, height and depth of implements
operating plant to hold, lift and cut trees
operating attachments to lift, swing, release and sort trees and logs, and operating auxiliary plant such as chipping machines and log splitting machines
feeding felled trees into processors to strip limbs and cut into logs and loading logs onto stockpiles and into trucks
keeping log tallies and writing work reports
servicing plant and performing minor repairs
Adjust, repair and service farm machinery and equipment in readiness for planting and harvesting activities.
Attach a range of equipment to tractors including plows, discs, harvesters, and sprayers.
Operate Tractors and associated equipment for soil conditioning, tilling, seeding, spraying, harvesting, baling and mobile storage systems.
Harvest a range of crops including operating Headers and trucks for grain harvesting.
Operate GPS Guidance technology on a range of agricultural equipment.
Transport seed and harvested crops and deliver to customers and grain storage facilities.
Perform maintenance services on vehicles and agricultural equipment during seeding and harvesting.
Operate machinery and equipment associated with draining and irrigation works and other farm activities such as fencing and bale storage.
Handle seed, fertiliser, and farm chemicals.
Order spare parts for vehicles and equipment.
Work as part of an integrated team in both seeding and harvesting operations.
Ensure that specific allocated farm equipment is maintained.
Liaise with Supervisor to ensure all tasks are completed as required.

Study Pathways:

MSM20116 – Certificate II in Process Manufacturing
TLI20421 – Certificate II in Supply Chain Operations

Soft Skills:

Problem solving
Communication
Teamwork
Work ethic

A Certificate II or III, or at least 1 year of relevant experience, is usually needed to work in this job. Around two in five workers have Years 11 and 10 as their highest level of education. Even with a qualification, sometimes experience or on-the-job training is necessary. Registration or licensing may be required.

VET Course Providers:

New South Wales