Material moving machine operators use machines to move earth, mining products, and other heavy loads.

Material moving machine operators set up and inspect material moving equipment. They operate the equipment and move materials according to a schedule or production plan. When necessary, they make minor repairs to their machinery. They also record materials they move and where it was moved to and from.

Material moving machine operators operate several types of machines:

Industrial truck and tractors

Industrial truck and tractor operators move materials around warehouses, storage yards, and work sites. Their trucks are usually called forklifts.

Excavating and loading machine and draglines

These machines have scoops or shovels. They dig sand and earth and load them onto conveyors to be transported elsewhere.

Dredges

Dredge operators excavate waterways. They remove material from harbors so that ships can navigate waterways. Sometimes they help to restore wetlands and rebuild beaches.

Crane and tower equipment

Crane and tower operators use towers and cable to lift and move materials, cargo, and other heavy objects at construction sites or major ports.

Hoist and winch equipment

Hoist and winch operators control the movement of platforms, cables, and cages used to move workers at work sites such as high-rise construction sites. Some work in industrial sites.

Conveyor systems

Conveyor operators operate machines that move materials on an automatic belt. They move materials to and from places in a mine or production facility.