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YARDER OPERATOR
Operates a “cable yarder” machine, which is parked on a roadside landing, to lift logs and whole trees from the stump to the road, over long distances (up to 1 mile), using cable rigging systems. The yarder operator runs a purpose-built machine, called a “skyline yarder”—it which is a portable steel tower (40-110 feet tall) that uses diesel-powered winches and a suspended cable system to lift & move trees/logs over steep slopes, from the stump to a roadside landing area. Once positioned, the stationary yarder remains at a centralized roadside log landing area, where logs/trees are collected from the forest. The yarder machine, and its tall tower is rigged with numerous cables, which can suspend logs/whole trees, and then carry logs long distances, up to a half mile or more. The operator sits in a climate-controlled cab, and operates hand & foot controls to safely direct the winches that maneuver the cables and other rigging that carry the logs/trees. The cable rigging system may use radio-controlled, motorized “carriage.” The carriage is a smaller machine that’s suspended by the cables—having the function of lifting & pulling cut logs/trees as they are hauled to the landing, minimizing damage to the soil. Operator constantly communicates safe cable rigging and log movement activities using audio-electronic signals, radio-controlled devices, and radios. Operator may be responsible for machine basic service, refueling, diagnostics and minor repairs. Requires special safety gear, climbing off & onto the yarder, and some walking on sloping forest terrain.

 

LOG LOADER OPERATOR
Operates a “log loader” machine, which works along the roadside, to lift & sort logs, and then load those logs onto trucks. The log loader operator runs a purpose-built, tracked machine with a long heel-boom arm and hydraulic grapple, which is a self-propelled vehicle that lifts & sorts logs into piles (“decks”), and then loads them onto log trucks the roadside “landing.” The loader machine, sometimes called a “shovel,” and its long boom grabs a log, picks it up, and then can move each log in a single motion. The log loader machine, if it is properly equipped, may also work off-road for moving logs to the roadside (see Shovel Logger). The operator safely maneuvers the machine from within an enclosed cab, on forest roads and log landing areas, to skillfully move, pile and load logs onto trucks. Controls machine operation seated inside the machine’s cab, using a combination of joysticks, buttons, pedals and levers. Operator may also work to gather and pile logging debris (“slash”) in designated locations. Operator drives a company pickup to the forest job sites; and often works independently, following detailed work plans and specifications. Communicates safe machine and log movement activities using a radio. Operator may be responsible for machine basic service, refueling, diagnostics and minor repairs. Requires special safety gear, climbing off & onto the loader, and some walking on sloping forest terrain.

PROCESSOR OPERATOR
Operates a “harvester-processor” machine, which moves through the forest to select-cut-fall trees in the desired direction, delimb and cut the whole tree into logs, and pile those logs in bunches. This whole-tree processing is referred to as the “cut-to-length” logging system. Cutting decisions are optimized by electronic sensors, monitor screens, and an on-board computer system. The processor machine may also be parked at the roadside landing area, where whole trees delivered to the road can be processed into logs. The operator maneuvers this fascinating track-mounted, or wheeled, machine from within an enclosed cab, selecting trees to cut using pre-specified harvest and environmental guidelines. The processor operator runs a purpose-built machine with a long, telescoping boom arm and a dangle-head cutting attachment. The machine is a self-propelled, off-road vehicle that moves through the forest to cut & fall whole trees, delimb them, cut log lengths, and place all logs into piles (bunches). The “processor” machine and its telescoping boom grabs onto a tree, cuts it off at the stump, picks it up, delimbs it, cuts the tree into desired log lengths, and then swings and drops the whole tree into a desired location/pile—all in a single motion. The processor machine looks like a log loader, except it is equipped with a specialized cutting head that performs falling, delimbing, bucking, and piling. The operator safely maneuvers on moderate to steep forest slopes & rough terrain to skillfully process designated trees. Controls machine operation seated inside the machine’s cab, using a combination of joysticks, toggles, monitors, gauges, pedals, and levers. Operator drives a company pickup to the forest job sites; and often works independently, following detailed work plans and specifications. Communicates safe machine and tree movement activities using a radio. Operator may be responsible for machine basic service, refueling, diagnostics and minor repairs. Requires special safety gear, climbing off & onto the processor, and some walking on sloping forest terrain.

SKIDDER OPERATOR
Operates a “skidder” machine, which moves through the forest to pull & drag logs, or whole trees, to the roadside—where those logs are piled at the road’s edge. The skidder operator runs a purpose-built “skidder” machine, which is a self-propelled, off-road vehicle used to transport logs or whole trees from the stump to the road—generally by dragging them along the ground, with the leading end lifted by an arch and a grapple or cable chokers*. The skidder may be either a rubber-tired or a tracked machine that looks like a farm tractor or dozer. The operator safely maneuvers the skidder through the forest on moderate slopes & rough terrain, following pre-determined trails; hooks & unhooks logs; and pulls logs to the road with minimal damage to soils and standing trees. Skidder has many other uses, and may be equipped with a front-mounted blade. Operator may be required to do additional machine tasks, such as water-barring, blading roads, digging, pushing rock, pulling trucks, slash piling, or positioning the skidder for use as a cable anchor. When equipped with a brush blade, the skidder may also work to gather and pile logging debris (“slash”) in designated locations. Communicates safe machine and log movement instructions using a radio and hand signals. Operator may be responsible for machine basic service, refueling, diagnostics and minor repairs. Requires special safety clothing, climbing off & onto the skidder, and some walking on sloping forest terrain.

 

FIELD SERVICE MECHANIC
Works as a mobile mechanic that drives a fully-equipped service truck to remote forest jobsites, where heavy equipment, large trucks, vehicles, and other forestry equipment can be serviced and repaired “in-the field.” Because the mechanic’s customers are located at forest jobsites, their work is at times done day or night—to quickly complete the service and return the repaired machine to production. The field service mechanic diagnoses, repairs, and maintains heavy equipment and trucks used in the forest; and the mechanic may be aided by a mechanic’s assistant, who helps complete complex repair tasks. Although this mechanic usually drives to remote field locations to complete repairs on equipment at the jobsite, at times they may conduct repairs indoors at a machinery repair facility, or “shop.” Drives a fully-contained service truck stocked with tools, diagnostic instruments and parts. Mechanic often works alone, but may collaborate with other mechanics and specialized mechanical technicians, to complete repair projects. Mechanic combines their expertise with written service manuals and the latest technology, to quickly do many duties: arrive at the machine/truck or tow machine to shop; trouble-shoot problems with the operator/driver; diagnose solutions; procure needed parts; and conduct needed repairs. Travel to forest jobsites in a shop truck is on both highways and on unpaved, narrow, winding, steep forest roads. Mechanic works to safely route-find and drive to jobsite. Mechanic communicates safe travel on single-lane logging roads using citizens band (CB) radios. Requires special safety clothing, climbing off & onto trucks, and some walking on sloping forest terrain.