Logging Equipment Operators

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

What Logging Equipment Operators 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. Includes operating stand-alone logging machines, such as log chippers.

  • Inspect equipment for safety prior to use, and perform necessary basic maintenance tasks.
  • Control hydraulic tractors equipped with tree clamps and booms to lift, swing, and bunch sheared trees.
  • Grade logs according to characteristics such as knot size and straightness, and according to established industry or company standards.
Industry Areas:

Renewable Resources and Energy Transportation

Training Program Areas:

Forestry Conservation & Firefighting • Heavy Equipment Operations • OCT-Only Renewable Resources & Energy • OCT-Only Transportation • Petroleum Technician

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Work Context

  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  • In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
  • Duration of Typical Work Week
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Frequency of Decision Making

Tools

  • Lumbering equipment
  • Flatbed trailers
  • Forestry skidders
  • Grapples
  • Two way radios

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP software

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
mechanical
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products

Education

  • 55% Less than high school diploma
  • 44% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 1% Post-secondary certificate

Experience

Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

  • Conventional (Organizer)
  • Investigative (Thinker)
  • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Self Control
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation
  • Independence

Values

  • Support
  • Independence
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Controlled Movement
  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Spatial
  • Vision

This is what Logging Equipment Operators across the country typically make.

$14.87 / hour
$30,930 /year

Entry Level

$23.19 / hour
$48,240 /year

Median Level

$33.05 / hour
$68,750 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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