8241 – Logging machinery operators

Logging machinery operators operate cable yarding systems, mechanical harvesters and forwarders and mechanical tree processors and loaders to fell, yard and process trees at logging sites. They are employed by logging companies and contractors.

Profile

Index of titles

Example titles

Bunk skidder operator

Cable yarding operator

Cable yarding system operator

Chipping machine operator

Chipping machine operator – logging

Crane and claw operator – logging

Delimber and buncher operator

Delimber operator

Feller buncher operator

Feller delimber operator

Feller forwarder operator

Forwarder operator – logging

Grapple loader operator – logging

Grapple operator – logging

Grapple yarder operator – logging

Linehorse operator

Loader operator – logging

Log loader operator

Log loading machine operator

Log process operator

Log processor operator

Logging crane operator

Logging machinery operator

Logging truck loader

Mechanical harvester and forwarder operator

Mechanical harvester operator – logging

Mechanical tree processor and loader operator

Mechanical tree processor operator – logging

Mobile chipper operator – logging

Mobile whole tree chipper – logging

Picker truck operator

Pulpwood harvester operator

Rigging slinger – logging

Shortwood harvester operator

Slasher loader operator

Slasher operator – logging

Slasher saw operator – logging

Slasher sawyer operator – logging

Slasher-brusher

Steel spar operator – logging

Tree harvester operator

Tree processor operator – logging

Treelength forwarder operator

Tree-length harvester operator

Yarder operator – logging

Yarding engineer – logging

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Cable yarding system operators

Operate machines to transport trees from logging areas to landing or log loading sites in mountainous terrain in western Canada.

Mechanical harvester and forwarder operators

Assess site and terrain and drive heavy equipment to perform a combination of felling, slashing, bucking, bunching and forwarding operations at logging areas.

Mechanical tree processor and loader operators

Operate a variety of machines which perform a combination of slashing, bucking, chipping, sorting and loading logs or trees at landing sites.

Employment requirements

Completion of secondary school may be required.

On-the-job training from three to 16 months is provided, depending on the complexity of machinery operated and the type of woodlands operation.

Experience requirements vary depending on the complexity of machinery operated.

Mechanical harvester and forwarder operators may require logging experience as a chain saw and skidder operator.

Feller buncher operators and cable yarder operators usually require three to five years of logging experience.

Mechanical tree processor and loader operators usually require one to three years of logging experience.

Certification as a heavy equipment operator may be required.

Company certification for mobile logging machinery operation may be required.

Provincial air brake certification may be required in British Columbia, depending on the type of equipment operated.

Workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) and first aid certificates may be required.

Knowledge of tree harvesting regulations is required.

Additional information

There is some mobility among jobs in this group from the less complex to more complex machinery operation.

There is some mobility between employers, particularly in similar types of woodland operations.

Self-employment as a logging contractor is possible with investment in equipment.

Logging machinery operators may perform minor repairs and maintenance on their equipment.

Progression to logging and forestry supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Exclusions

Chain saw and skidder operators (8421)

Heavy equipment operators (except crane) (7521)

Silviculture and forestry workers (8422)

Supervisors, logging and forestry (8211)

Transport truck drivers (7511)