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Logging Equipment Operators

Also called: Loader Operator, Logging Equipment Operator, Skidder Driver, Skidder Operator

What they do:

Drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories, such as bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell tree; to skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush. Includes operating stand-alone logging machines, such as log chippers.

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands

Spatial

  • imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed
  • know where things are around you

Vision

  • decide which thing is closer or farther away from you or decide how far away it is from you

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Self Control
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation
  • Independence

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft Outlook

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • SAP software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $46,400

Education

No high school diploma/GED or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.

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