Description
Operate and tend threshing equipment to separate grain from harvested crops. Set up, feed, monitor, and adjust machines; clear jams and perform routine maintenance; and handle post-harvest cleaning, bagging, weighing, and transfer of grain safely and efficiently.
- • Inspect, adjust, and service threshers and conveyors; report malfunctions to supervisors.
- • Observe and listen to equipment to detect plugging, belt slip, or abnormal vibration.
- • Set and adjust concaves, rotor/cylinder speed, sieves, and fan to match crop and moisture.
- • Start, stop, and control machines, calibrating settings for grain quality and throughput.
- • Load or feed cut crops into infeed hoppers using forks, loaders, or transfer augers.
- • Operate combines, stationary threshers, augers, and bagging equipment to separate and move grain.
- • Attach and align headers, PTOs, belts, chutes, and discharge spouts using bolts and hand tools.
- • Monitor grain flow, loss indicators, and moisture; make real-time adjustments.
- • Guide grain on conveyors, regulate flow, and remove stones, stems, or damaged material.
- • Position and attach bags or bins at discharge, remove, close, and label full containers.
- • Weigh sacks or loads and record weights, moisture, and lot identifiers.
- • Load and unload grain, straw, and chaff using conveyors, handtrucks, forklifts, or augers.
- • Drive tractors or trucks to position equipment and haul grain or straw.
- • Clean machines and work areas; clear chaff buildup and dust to reduce fire risk.
- • Lock out equipment and clear jams safely; replace belts, screens, and worn parts.
- • Direct and monitor helpers feeding bundles, bagging grain, or managing straw.
- • Set up and level equipment on site; align chutes and secure guards for safe operation.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
