Forestry equipment operator, Kaiwhakamahi mīhini ngahere
Also known as
- Machine operator, log loader operator, skidder operator, harvester operator, loader operator, processor operator
Forestry equipment operators drive, operate and maintain machines used for harvesting trees, processing logs, loading vehicles, forest clearing and road construction.
Duration
2:23 mins
Your pay could be
$48K
Lower
$62K to $107K
Most common
$139K
Upper
How does this pay compare?
Pay is before tax

Forestry equipment operators
- usually work regular business hours but may work weekends
- usually work in forest plantations operating large machines and may travel locally
- may work in noisy and dirty conditions
- may do physically demanding work
- need to be methodical, accurate and safety conscious
Tasks
- inspect equipment or facilities to determine condition or maintenance needs
- maintain forestry, hunting, or agricultural equipment
- operate forestry equipment
- load logs onto trucks for transport
- evaluate log quality
- cut trees or logs using equipment
- thin and prune trees
- maintain personnel records
- measure physical characteristics of forestry or agricultural products
- operate forestry processing equipment
Practical
Organised
Enterprising
Interests that fit this job
Interest quiz,
Kairoro Whakaritea
Do the Interest quiz to find out how well your interests fit with this job.
Do the quizYou usually train on the job to become a forestry equipment operator and experience or a qualification may be useful.
You need
- to be over 16 years old
You may need
- to do an apprenticeship in forestry
- experience in similar work
- a driver licence
- a Wheels, Track and Rollers Course (WTR) Endorsement
- experience driving tracked vehicles, diggers or bulldozers
- to pass a drug test
If you’re in school
You usually need NCEA Level 2 to do the study or training for this job.
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