599 Processing Occupations

This group includes miscellaneous occupations, not elsewhere classified, concerned with processing materials and products.

599.137-010 SUPERINTENDENT, SEED MILL (agric.)

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in drying, cleaning, sorting, treating, and packaging seeds in seed processing plant: Observes and feels incoming seed shipments to determine cleaning and drying requirements, utilizing knowledge of seed characteristics and processing standards. Instructs and monitors workers in use of equipment that sifts debris from seeds, removes moisture from seeds, scrapes off outer layers of seed cover, and sorts seeds according to weight and size. Oversees treatment of seeds with specified chemicals to fill customer orders. Assists and directs workers in loading, unloading, and conveying seeds in warehouse and processing area, using forklift, and in boxing seeds for storage or shipment. Performs routine equipment maintenance, such as lubrication and replacement of parts.

599.665-010 SEED-CLEANER OPERATOR (agric.; oils & fats) seed cleaner; seed-cleaning-machine operator.

Tends machines that remove foreign matter from grass seed, grain or cottonseed: Starts machines and turns hand wheel to regulate flow of material into machines. Brushes cleaning screens, using wire brush to prevent clogging. Empties trash bags attached to machines.

599.685-126 SEED PELLETER (agric.)

Tends equipment that applies coating to agricultural seeds and separates coated seeds according to size specifications to allow for uniform planting: Dumps seeds into rotary drum and presses buttons to start drum rotation. Adds water, powder, and glue for specified period, using spray guns and scoop and following work order specifications. Stops drum and scoops coated seeds (pellets) from drum, dumps pellets into electric sizing mill or onto manual sizing screen to remove undersized pellets. Returns undersized pellets to drums for additional coating. Dumps and spreads pellets on trays in drying tunnel for drying. Repeats sizing procedure for dried pellets to ensure that pellets meet sizing specifications. Fills pails with pellets specified on shipping order, using scoop, covers pails with lids, and places pails on pallet for shipment. Cleans interior and exterior of drums and work area, using brushes, rags, mop, detergent, and water.

Adapted from US Department of Labor DOT for Dictionary of Agricultural Occupations

15 November 2004