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Small equipment operator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical small equipment operator skills. We ranked the top skills for small equipment operators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 46.2% of small equipment operator resumes contained routine maintenance as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a small equipment operator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 small equipment operator skills for your resume and career

1. Routine Maintenance

Here's how small equipment operators use routine maintenance:

Perform routine maintenance and daily inspection on equipment such as lubricating, fueling, and cleaning.
Performed routine maintenance checks on mobile equipment, facility equipment and incinerator by reporting malfunctions to supervisor.

2. Customer Specifications

A Customer Specification is a document that describes the general requirement of an expected service from a contractor. It outlines the key requirements of the customer. Customer specifications should be written in simple and general language so that the contractor clearly understands the expectations of the customer. It is also known as a User Specification.

Here's how small equipment operators use customer specifications:

Perform daily operation of injection molding machines Verify accuracy of documentation per work orders, machine programming, and customer specifications.
Adjusted machine feed and speed if machine malfunctioned and inspected finished products for quality and adherence to customer specifications.

3. Asphalt

Here's how small equipment operators use asphalt:

Worked on concrete and asphalt crews with construction professionals operating light machinery and equipment.
Operated heavy machinery equipment and maintained safety while transporting asphalt.

4. Boats

Here's how small equipment operators use boats:

Operated 40 foot jet boats and was tasked with river and littoral waterway security.
Perform general maintenance and repair of patrol boats including modifying steering and drive systems to enhance performance and optimizing electrical/electronic systems.

5. General Maintenance

General maintenance is the regular check-up and repairs of machinery, buildings, and other mechanical equipment. General maintenance is performed by repair workers who are skilled to handle the day-to-day defects produced in the machinery. General maintenance aims to make sure the items remain in the best operational conditions. Usually, a set of planned activities are performed regularly by an expert to monitor the maintenance.

Here's how small equipment operators use general maintenance:

Back Hoe OperatorFlatbed OperatorTri-axle Dump Truck OperatorFour yard Front-end Loader OperatorSidewalk Formation and RepairAsphalt Road RepairStorm Water InstallerGeneral Maintenance
Operated equipment and performed general maintenance on various machinery in a very fast paced environment.

6. Mowing

Here's how small equipment operators use mowing:

Supported forestry mowing operations, and conducted line clearance trimming operations.
Operated mowing and cultural practice equipment.

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7. End Loaders

Here's how small equipment operators use end loaders:

Operated and monitored equipment included in the waste-water treatment process including operating front end loaders.
Job Description: Operate heavy construction equipment (bulldozers, tractors, front-end loaders) Erect structures and pour concrete.

8. Load Trucks

Here's how small equipment operators use load trucks:

Operate small equipment (tow motor) to unload and load trucks.
Load trucks on a timely manner.

9. Hazardous Materials

Any substance or good that is harmful to human health as well as the environment are called hazardous materials. Such materials must be handled carefully to avoid any mishaps. Harmful gases. chemicals, strong medicines or drugs, radioactive elements required for radiation purposes, a human blood sample that carries germs, all of these are considered hazardous materials.

Here's how small equipment operators use hazardous materials:

Comply with all Environmental Protection Authority and state regulators for disposal of gas and hazardous materials.
Checked shipping papers to determine the nature of load and checked for the presence of hazardous materials.

10. Perform Routine Maintenance

Here's how small equipment operators use perform routine maintenance:

Complete daily safety inspections on equipment and perform routine maintenance as scheduled.
Perform routine maintenance and equipment checks

11. Hoisting

Here's how small equipment operators use hoisting:

Signaled or verbally directed workers engaged in hoisting and moving loads, in order to ensure safety of workers and materials.
Repaired heaters and radiators, maintained all hoisting and rigging equipment, as well as heavy-duty rollover and recovery equipment.

12. RAN

RAN stands for "revenue anticipation note," which refers to a practice where an organization (often the government) borrows money to support a specific project. When these funds are then repaid, the money given to the lenders comes from the profits generated by the business originally funded.

Here's how small equipment operators use ran:

Loaded hay and ran equipment.

13. Shovels

Here's how small equipment operators use shovels:

Cleaned stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.
Operated or tended machinery equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets, to excavate and load loose materials.

14. Clamp

Here's how small equipment operators use clamp:

Certified in the use of forklifts, clamp trucks and skidster

15. Life Jackets

Here's how small equipment operators use life jackets:

Checked personal safety equipment, life jackets, safety shoes, personal locator beacon, etc.

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What skills help Small Equipment Operators find jobs?

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List of small equipment operator skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a small equipment operator resume and required skills for a small equipment operator to have include:

Routine Maintenance
Customer Specifications
Asphalt
Boats
General Maintenance
Mowing

End Loaders
Load Trucks
Hazardous Materials
Perform Routine Maintenance
Hoisting
RAN

Shovels
Clamp
Life Jackets
Equipment Maintenance
Quality Standards

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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