Planter Operator (Maize)

You'll drive tractors and farm machines on a fruit orchard near Richards Bay through planting and harvest. You'll work with a small crew, so being easy to work with matters as much as skill.

This post is Richards Bay-based, with most of your time spent at a fruit orchard. Shifts rotate, so you'll need to be flexible about days and nights.

• Plant rows straight, using GPS guidance where the tractor has it
• Hook up and drive ploughs, discs, planters and sprayers
• Haul cane, grain or fruit bins from field to shed
• Wash equipment after spraying and store chemicals safely
• Record hours, fuel and fields worked on the job card
• Report breakdowns and help the mechanic with repairs
• Mix and apply sprays exactly as the farm manager prescribes

• Basic understanding of implements and settings
• Safe driver who respects chemical and machine safety
• Available to live on or near the farm
• Reliable and sober on duty
• Can read job cards and spray instructions
• At least 2 years driving tractors on a farm

• Basic mechanical skills
• A pesticide application or spray course
• Code 8 or Code 10 licence for road trips

• Harvest bonus at season end
• Training on new machinery
• Overtime paid during planting and harvest

• A reference from a previous farmer is gold. Ask for it before you leave any farm job.
• Mention GPS or auto-steer if you have used it. Modern grain farms struggle to find operators who know it.