Careers: Logging Equipment Operator
Logging Equipment Operator
This job is right for you if …
You like the outdoors, like operating equipment, and you’re able to make decisions independently in a team environment.
What They Do:
Operate mechanized timber harvesting equipment such as:
Feller Buncher: Cuts the trees and lays them in bunches for further processing.
Grapple Skidder: Brings tree length wood from the forest out to the landing to be processed
Stroke or pull-through delimber: Removes the limbs and cuts the wood by species, quality and market guidelines.
Cut to Length Processor: Cuts, delimbs, and merchandizes trees in the forest with one machine.
Forwarder: Hauls the cut to length wood from the processor to the landing and prepares the wood to be transported to a mill by a logging truck.
Tree length crane and slasher: Sorts, merchandizes, and loads tree length wood onto trucks or into a chipper to be delivered to the mill.
Basic Skills:
- Tree identification
- Safety mindset
- An understanding of wood production
- Wood merchandizing
- Equipment maintenance & operation
Fast Facts:
Nearly half (45%) of Maine’s harvesting industry is employed as a logging equipment operator. Jobs have increased by 2.5% from 2010 to 2020.
Important Traits For a Logger Are:
- Dependability
- Motivated
- Independent thinker
- Follows directions
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Strong work ethic
Median Hourly Wage / Earnings:
$17.65/hr
Maine Based Resources To Get Training: Logging & Harvesting
Entry Level Education
High School CTE’s
Currently, there are five Forestry/Wood Harvesting programs in Maine. All five programs provide credentials for students that meet OSHA and workers comp. requirements for new employees.
- Oxford Hills Tech School – Norway, Maine
- Foster Technology Center – Farmington, Maine
- Region 9 School of Applied Technology – Rumford, Maine
- Region 2 School of Applied Technology – Dyer Brook, Maine
- St. John Valley Technology Center – Frenchville, Maine
Maine Community College System
Community Colleges offer programs that may be of interest to a prospective logger. Programs vary from welding to equipment operation, diesel engine mechanics, hydraulics, and more.
- Northern Maine Community College – Presque Isle, Maine
- Central Maine Community College – Auburn, Maine
- Eastern Maine Community College – Bangor, Maine
- Kennebec Valley Community College – Fairfield and Hinkley, Maine
- Southern Maine Community College – South Portland, Maine
- Washington County Community College – Calais, Maine
- York County Community College – Wells, Maine
- Mechanized Logging Opperations Program (MLOP) Twelve-week certificate training program focusing on equipment operation. With daily hands-on operation of seven different pieces of equipment in a real-world logging operation. This program focuses on safety, equipment operation, job-site layout, and basic forestry. Students that complete the program will receive a credential for workers’ compensation compliance.
University of Maine – Forestry Education and Research
- University of Maine at Orono – Four year undergraduate and post graduate degrees focusing on Forest Ecosystem Science and Conservation
- University of Maine at Fort Kent – Two year Associates Degree – Applied Forest Management program
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Certified Logging Professional Program (CLP)
Candidates must attend a four-day workshop (32 hours total) and then pass a worksite evaluation. The workshop includes four days of classroom instruction in first-aid/CPR, forest management and silviculture, safe and efficient wood harvesting, and business/utilization. Successful credential holders can obtain recognition from Maine SFI and workers’ compensation underwriters.
Qualified Logging Professional (QLP)
Candidates must attend a four-day workshop (32 hours total) and then pass a worksite evaluation. The workshop includes four days of classroom instruction in first-aid/CPR, forest management and silviculture, safe and efficient wood harvesting, and business/utilization. Successful credential holders can obtain recognition from Maine SFI
- Need link here
Northeast Master Logger Certification (NEMLC)
NE Safe Logger is an affordable, efficient and relevant online logger training program, administered by the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands (TCNEF), that upon completion will allow participants to obtain the discounted “certified mechanical logger” rate for workers’ compensation insurance in the state of Maine. 16 hours, of interactive online training available on a computer, tablet, or smartphone that can be completed at the user’s own pace anytime day or night. The training can be saved and restarted at any time during the 14-day training period.
Find Out More!
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