A professional who tends machines and equipment that automatically extrude, pelletize, and cool mixture of ground wood and bark to form wood-fuel pellets. Respnsibilities include:

• Moves controls to adjust temperature and steam pressure gauges, according to type of wood and bark mixture being processed, regulate conveyor speed, and start machine.
• Periodically tests samples of extruded mixture for moisture content, using electronic moisture tester, and readjusts steam pressure gauges as required.
• Listens to machines and equipment and monitors control panel to detect malfunctions and to ensure production flow.
• Clears jams, using paddle.
• Removes and replaces worn dies, using wrench and screwdriver.
• Washes, cleans, lubricates, and greases machines and equipment, using water, detergent, brushes, rags, oilcan, and grease gun.
• Records control panel readings in operating log.