A professional who feeds fiber, such as hemp or sisal, into machine that breaks up matted bundles, and oils and straightens fibers to form sliver. Responsibilities include:

• Places bundles of fibers on machine feed conveyor.
• Observes sliver emerging from machine and varies rate of feeding to maintain production of uniform sliver of specified weight.
• Turns valve to start flow of oil that lubricates, softens, and preserves fibers.
• When feeding armfuls of short hemp fibers into machine, is designated tow feeder.