Description
Under supervision, operate wood chippers and related equipment to process branches, brush, and logs from tree pruning, removals, or storm cleanup. Stage and feed material safely, clear jams, maintain equipment, manage work zone safety, and assist with debris handling, hauling, and site cleanup.
- • Inspect wood chippers, chip trucks, and hand tools for proper operation and safety.
- • Coordinate with climbers or bucket operators on drop zones, feed sequence, and safety.
- • Drag brush and stage limbs for efficient butt end first feeding.
- • Feed brush and logs into chipper using techniques that prevent kickback and entanglement.
- • Use chainsaws or hand saws to buck limbs to chipper capacity.
- • Clear chipper jams and clogs using lockout/tagout procedures.
- • Adjust feed controls and discharge chute to manage chip size and placement.
- • Monitor for nails, rocks, wire, or contaminants and remove unsuitable material.
- • Maintain and replace chipper knives and anvils; sharpen or send out as required.
- • Fuel, lubricate, and perform daily cleaning and minor repairs on equipment.
- • Load, tarp, and haul chips; dump at approved sites and document loads.
- • Protect nearby structures, vehicles, and landscaping with mats or shields.
- • Maintain site cleanliness; rake, blow, and remove residual debris.
- • Identify and segregate logs for milling, firewood, or recycling per instructions.
- • Follow PPE requirements and safety protocols around traffic and overhead lines.
- • Assist with rigging, lowering, or ground operations during pruning and removals.
- • Set up work-zone traffic control, cones, and signs per regulations.
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Agriculture
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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
