About this role
Tractor Driver - Medium Power
We are recruiting Medium-Power Tractor Operators to manage specialized planting and secondary land preparation operations. You will operate 155 – 190 hp MFWD tractors equipped with heavy-duty trailed billet planters, multi-row bed formers, and complementary equipment. This role combines technical precision, agronomic knowledge, and operational discipline to ensure optimal crop establishment and uniform plantation geometry.
Qualification, skills and Competencies
- Valid NTSA Class G12 heavy agricultural equipment operator licence.
- Minimum five (5) years’ hands-on experience operating high-power agricultural tractors in commercial farming, plantation, land development, or similar field operations.
- Demonstrated experience operating trailed planters, bed formers, heavy agricultural implements, or precision farming equipment is highly desirable.
- Practical experience in sugarcane planting, bed formation, ratoon management, or other row-crop establishment operations will be an added advantage.
- Demonstrated competence in operating tractors with advanced hydraulic, PTO, three-point linkage, and implement-control systems.
- Strong practical understanding of the mechanical and hydraulic operation of trailed sugarcane planters, including moving-floor hopper systems, billet feed mechanisms, seed/billet metering, depth control, row spacing, and hydraulic implement controls.
- Ability to identify and respond to hydraulic pressure abnormalities, leaks, blockages, feed-system failures, and other planter faults, and communicate technical issues accurately to the maintenance team.
- Proficiency in operating, setting, and adjusting multi-row bed formers, including row spacing, bed geometry, working depth, alignment, and field drainage configuration.
- Good understanding of sugarcane planting depth, billet placement, soil contact, row alignment, and establishment requirements, and how soil moisture and compaction affect planting quality, bed integrity, and traction.
- Ability to monitor work rates and calculate hectares per hour, fuel consumption per hectare, planting output, and operational efficiency.
- Strong machine-care discipline, attention to detail, situational awareness, teamwork, and commitment to safe and productive field operations.
Check how your CV matches this job