Vacuum-Conditioner Operator Job Description:

Tends vacuum conditioner (steam-pressure chamber) that moistens opened hogsheads of tobacco for further processing: Opens chamber door and pushes hogsheads of tobacco into chamber or starts hydraulic lift that moves hogsheads into chamber. Closes chamber door, starts vacuum pump, and turns valve to admit steam into chamber. Observes gauges and dials on control panel to determine when temperature and air, steam, and vacuum pressure reach specified levels to force steam through tobacco. Removes hogsheads from chamber.