# Tasks & work activities — land-based machinery technician

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 45-2091.00 (Agricultural Equipment Operators).

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Adjust, repair, and service farm machinery and notify supervisors when machinery malfunctions.
- **[Core]** Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect equipment malfunctions.
- **[Core]** Mix specified materials or chemicals, and dump solutions, powders, or seeds into planter or sprayer machinery.
- **[Core]** Operate or tend equipment used in agricultural production, such as tractors, combines, and irrigation equipment.
- **[Core]** Manipulate controls to set, activate, and adjust mechanisms on machinery.
- **[Core]** Spray fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control insects, fungus and weed growth, and diseases, using hand sprayers.
- **[Core]** Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.
- **[Core]** Load and unload crops or containers of materials, manually or using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or transfer augers.
- **[Supplemental]** Irrigate soil, using portable pipes or ditch systems, and maintain ditches or pipes and pumps.
- **[Supplemental]** Direct and monitor the activities of work crews engaged in planting, weeding, or harvesting activities.
- **[Supplemental]** Load hoppers, containers, or conveyors to feed machines with products, using forklifts, transfer augers, suction gates, shovels, or pitchforks.
- **[Supplemental]** Operate towed machines such as seed drills or manure spreaders to plant, fertilize, dust, and spray crops.
- **[Supplemental]** Drive trucks to haul crops, supplies, tools, or farm workers.
- **[Supplemental]** Walk beside or ride on planting machines while inserting plants in planter mechanisms at specified intervals.
- **[Supplemental]** Weigh crop-filled containers, and record weights and other identifying information.
- **[Supplemental]** Guide products on conveyors to regulate flow through machines, and to discard diseased or rotten products.
- **[Supplemental]** Position boxes or attach bags at discharge ends of machinery to catch products, removing and closing full containers.

## Detailed work activities

- Apply chemical solutions to plants to protect against disease or insects or to enhance growth.
- Attach equipment extensions or accessories.
- Confer with managers to make operational decisions.
- Direct activities of agricultural, forestry, or fishery employees.
- Inspect equipment or facilities to determine condition or maintenance needs.
- Load agricultural or forestry products for shipment.
- Load materials into equipment for processing.
- Maintain forestry, hunting, or agricultural equipment.
- Measure physical characteristics of forestry or agricultural products.
- Operate conveyors or other industrial material moving equipment.
- Operate farming equipment.
- Operate irrigation systems.
- Plant crops, trees, or other plants.
- Prepare materials or solutions for animal or plant use.
- Record agricultural or forestry inventory data.