Description
Operate tractors and self-propelled farm equipment to till soil, plant, cultivate, spray, and harvest crops. Attach implements, calibrate and monitor equipment, and haul trailers and harvested products between fields and storage. Perform pre-operation inspections, routine maintenance, and minor repairs while following safety and pesticide handling protocols. Assist with irrigation setup and field preparation, and document work, inputs, and crop progress.
- • Operate tractors and tractor-drawn machinery for tillage, planting, cultivation, spraying, and harvesting.
- • Attach, adjust, and calibrate implements such as plows, planters, cultivators, sprayers, and harvesters.
- • Perform pre- and post-operation inspections of tractors and implements.
- • Monitor gauges, GPS, autosteer, and application rates during fieldwork.
- • Set up and operate PTO-driven and hydraulic systems safely.
- • Mix and apply fertilizers and pesticides per labels and farm procedures.
- • Load, tow, and haul wagons, bins, and trailers between fields and storage.
- • Assist with loading and unloading harvested products.
- • Set up and operate irrigation pumps, reels, and pipe as directed.
- • Maintain and clean tractors, implements, and work areas.
- • Diagnose and perform minor repairs; report major mechanical issues.
- • Keep records of fieldwork, inputs, hours, and equipment maintenance.
- • Observe crop and field conditions and report progress or issues to supervisors.
- • Follow biosecurity, PPE, and pesticide safety regulations.
- • Coordinate with crew leads to stage equipment and support hand crews.
- • Grade roads, level pads, and prepare fields using tractor attachments.
- • Install or remove plastic mulch, drip tape, or trellis components with tractor implements.
- • Move containerized plants, pallets, and materials using loaders or forks.
- • Assist with irrigation maintenance, including hose and line repairs.
- • Transport fuel, tools, and supplies to field operations.
- • Maintain fences, gates, and simple farm structures using tractor-mounted tools.
- • Operate safely in orchards, vineyards, and greenhouses where precision is required.
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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
