O*NET Role Library
1016 occupations available
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Agricultural Equipment Operators
45-2091.00·Farming, Fishing, and Forestry·Job Zone 1
Drive and control equipment to support agricultural activities such as tilling soil; planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops; feeding and herding livestock; or removing animal waste. May perform tasks such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform post-harvest tasks such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.
17Tasks
6Tech Skills
3Technical Tools
Technology Skills
6 technologies · 3 technical tools
Technology Skills
Technical Tools
Microsoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPoint
Other Technologies
Farm Management Software Hay and Crop ManagerMartens Farms Farm Site MateMartens Farms Farm Trac
Task Statements
8 core · 9 supplemental
Task Statements
Core Tasks
- Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers.
- Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.
- Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers.
- Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.
- Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery.
- Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment.
- Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions.
- Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.
Supplemental Tasks
- Load hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.
- Direct and monitor the activities of work crews engaged in planting, weeding, or harvesting activities.
- Operate towed machines such as seed drills or manure spreaders to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops.
- Weigh crop-filled containers, and record weights and other identifying information.
- Walk beside or ride on planting machines while inserting plants in planter mechanisms at specified intervals.
- Drive trucks to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers.
- Guide products on conveyors to regulate flow through machines, and to discard diseased or rotten products.
- Position boxes or attach bags at discharge ends of machinery to catch products, removing and closing full containers.
- Irrigate soil, using portable pipes or ditch systems, and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps.
Top Skills
Ranked by importance score
Top Skills
Operation and Control3.9
Operations Monitoring3.8
English Language3.4
Troubleshooting3.1
Repairing3.0
Equipment Maintenance3.0
Quality Control Analysis3.0
Active Listening3.0
Critical Thinking2.9
Social Perceptiveness2.9
Mechanical2.9
Public Safety and Security2.8
Mathematics2.8
Coordination2.8
Monitoring2.8
Speaking2.8
Transportation2.7
Production and Processing2.7
Customer and Personal Service2.6
Chemistry2.6
Top Abilities
Ranked by importance score
Top Abilities
Control Precision3.9
Multilimb Coordination3.9
Near Vision3.6
Problem Sensitivity3.4
Depth Perception3.4
Far Vision3.4
Rate Control3.3
Arm-Hand Steadiness3.3
Response Orientation3.3
Reaction Time3.3
Oral Comprehension3.3
Static Strength3.1
Oral Expression3.1
Manual Dexterity3.1
Speech Clarity3.1
Trunk Strength3.1
Hearing Sensitivity3.1
Finger Dexterity3.0
Information Ordering3.0
Deductive Reasoning3.0
Work Activities
Ranked by importance score
Work Activities
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment4.4
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials4.3
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships4.2
Controlling Machines and Processes4.2
Handling and Moving Objects4.2
Processing Information4.1
Performing General Physical Activities4.0
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates3.9
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment3.8
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events3.7
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others3.6
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others3.6
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates3.5
Developing and Building Teams3.5
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge3.5
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings3.5
Assisting and Caring for Others3.4
Getting Information3.4
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards3.3
Monitoring and Controlling Resources3.2
Education, Training & Experience
Percentage of respondents reporting each level
Education, Training & Experience
Required Level of Education
Less than a High School Diploma57%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)19%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)14%
Some College Courses10%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)0%
Related Work Experience
None20%
Up to and including 1 month8%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months18%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months2%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year13%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years19%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years0%
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years19%
Over 10 years1%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
None3%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months40%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months17%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year0%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years10%
On-the-Job Training
None or short demonstration2%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months10%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months9%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year13%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years1%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years9%