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Logging Equipment Operators

Also called: Skidder Operator, Loader Operator, Logging Equipment Operator, Skidder Driver

What they do:
Drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories such as bulldozer blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell tree; to skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush.
On the job, you would:
  • Inspect equipment for safety prior to use, and perform necessary basic maintenance tasks.
  • Drive straight or articulated tractors equipped with accessories such as bulldozer blades, grapples, logging arches, cable winches, and crane booms, to skid, load, unload, or stack logs, pull stumps, or clear brush.
  • Drive crawler or wheeled tractors to drag or transport logs from felling sites to log landing areas for processing and loading.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • mechanical
Safety and Government
  • public safety and security

Skills

Basic Skills
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Controlled Movement
  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands
Spatial
  • imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed
  • know where things are around you
Reaction Time and Speed
  • quickly move your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Independence
  • Self Control
  • Concern for Others

Technology

Examples of the technology used in this career will be available soon.

Education

Education: (rated 1 of 5)
some high school or
high school diploma
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$33,340
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about logging equipment operators.