Description
Operate a tracked or wheeled feller buncher equipped with shear or saw head to cut, accumulate, and place trees for skidding. Follow harvest plans to safely position bunches, clear travel paths, and maintain productivity through precise head control, terrain navigation, and routine machine maintenance.
- • Inspect the feller buncher and perform basic maintenance, fueling, and greasing before and during shift.
- • Operate tracked or wheeled feller buncher to fell and accumulate trees with shear, hot saw, or bar-saw head.
- • Control hydraulic head to clamp, cut, rotate, and place stable bunches for efficient skidding.
- • Follow harvest plans; navigate slopes and timber to minimize soil and residual tree damage.
- • Assess hazards and maintain safe work zones; apply directional felling to protect people, equipment, and buffers.
- • Clear brush and small trees to open machine travel routes, skid trails, and landings.
- • Coordinate by radio with skidders, processors, and loaders to sequence work and avoid conflicts.
- • Record production and downtime; complete shift reports and equipment logs.
- • Perform minor repairs; change teeth/bars, adjust head and track tension; report major service needs.
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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
