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Job Duties 

Heavy Equipment Mechanics may:

Troubleshoot engine problems and analyze hydraulic system complaints

Dismantle the machine or some of its parts

Inspect machinery for damage or wear

Perform routine preventative maintenance service

Use calipers and micrometers to inspect clearance and dimensions, and gages to check pressure and flow

Weld broken parts and structural members

Replace worn or defective engines and subassemblies, such as transmissions

Make field overhauls and repairs in order to finish construction jobs

Test repaired equipment to be sure it is working correctly

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Heavy Equipment Mechanics may specialize in these areas:

620.261-022 CONSTRUCTION-EQUIPMENT MECHANICS maintain, repair, and rebuild construction equipment, such as internal combustion engines, conveyors, dredges, pumps, air compressors, bulldozers, paving machines, and pneumatic tools. They also operate and inspect machines or equipment to diagnose problems and defects.

625.281-010 DIESEL MECHANICS repair and maintain diesel engines that power transportation equipment such as heavy trucks, buses, boats, train locomotives, and construction equipment such as bulldozers, and cranes.

620.281-042 LOGGING-EQUIPMENT MECHANICS adjust, maintain, and repair gasoline-, hydraulic-, and diesel-powered logging equipment and accessories.

620.281-050 INDUSTRIAL TRUCK MECHANICS repair and maintain electric, diesel, and gasoline industrial trucks following manuals and using hand and power tools, as well as knowledge of electrical, power transmission, brake, and other automotive systems.

INDUSTRIAL TRACTOR MECHANICS diagnose mechanical failures of and repair tractors and tractor components according to manuals, factory specifications, and knowledge of engine performances using hand tools, power tools, and testing instruments.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Most Heavy Equipment Mechanics usually work in well lighted and heated shops or garages that have fans to remove fumes and odors, but may make emergency repairs on machines in the field.

Some jobs demand a great deal of worker strength. While very heavy equipment is moved by cranes or hoists, a Mechanic may have to lift up to 100 pounds.

Heavy Equipment Mechanics must handle greasy, dirty, oily equipment parts and may have to work in cramped, awkward positions.

There are many physical hazards in this occupation. They may have contact with various solvents and be exposed to many types of fumes. Injuries may be caused by lifting heavy objects, receiving burns from tools or hot metal, or slipping on greasy floors. Hazards are minimized, however, by following safety procedures and wearing protective clothing and equipment.

Heavy Equipment Mechanics usually work 40 to 48 hours per week. They may work nights and weekends. Some are "on-call" in case of emergency breakdowns. Some shops or industries work year-round and round-the-clock in shifts.

Mechanics who work for companies in industries such as construction or logging may have seasonal work rather than steady, year-round work.

Mechanics have to buy their own hand tools. Beginners are expected to buy and add tools as they gain experience. This may mean an investment up to thousands of dollars.

Most Heavy Equipment Mechanics belong to unions and pay monthly dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Repairing and maintaining machinery

• Working with tools and equipment

• Solving problems

• Seeing the physical results of your work

You Should Be Able To:

• Read and understand repair manuals

• Make decisions based on observed and tested information and data

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Move hands and arms easily and skillfully

• See detail in objects or drawings

• Recognize slight differences in shapes and shadings

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

A machine at work includes two hydraulic cylinders with pistons 4.5 inches and 5 inches in diameter. Fluid under pressure exerts force on the ends of the piston. The pressure per square inch is equal everywhere in the system. If 40,500 pounds of force are exerted on the smaller piston, what total force is pushing on the larger piston.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

The differential permits the tractor to turn corners, but it has two disadvantages. The first is the two axle torques must be equal so that neither axle can transmit more torque that is permitted by the wheel with the poorest traction. The second is that the differential delivers more than half the power to the drive wheel with the poorest traction.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written estimate for a repair job upon the request of a potential customer.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and be detail orienting in assessing, repairing, and maintaining heavy equipment.

Mechanic certification by the Michigan Department of State, available at the Bureau of Automotive Regulation, is usually required when working on any equipment which operates on highways. To become certified, individuals must pass a written exam and pay required fees.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer; a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes; a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school); an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0100 AGRISCIENCE , 0300 AUTOMOTIVE , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

037 INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

Approved vocational education programs in Industrial Equipment Maintenance and Repair prepare students to maintain and overhaul bulldozers, cranes, graders, concrete mixers, and other large construction equipment. Instruction is given in inspection, maintenance, and repair of tracks, wheels, brakes, operating controls, engines, and in techniques of welding and brazing.

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

044 DIESEL MECHANICS

Approved vocational education programs in Diesel Mechanics prepare students to repair diesel engines in vehicles such as automobiles, buses, ships, trucks, railroad locomotives, and construction equipment and to repair stationary diesel engines in electrical generators and related equipment. Instruction includes diagnosing problems; repairing and adjusting fuel injection systems, oil and water pumps, generators, and transmissions; and using a variety of tools and testing equipment.

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

046 DIESEL TECHNOLOGY

Programs in Diesel Technology provide the opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment maintaining, repairing, overhauling, and adjusting diesel motors in trucks, buses, farm tractors, and other heavy implements and equipment. Individuals who teach Diesel Technology at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

            Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

022 HEAVY EQUIPMENT REPAIRER

Some people enter occupations within this MOIScript through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

AUTOMOTIVE AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANICS

Keeping automotive and heavy equipment in good working condition is vital to the success of military missions. Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics maintain and repair vehicles such as jeeps, cars, trucks, tanks, self-propelled missile launchers, and other combat vehicles. They also repair bulldozers, power shovels, and other construction equipment.

What They Do

Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Troubleshoot problems in vehicle engines, electrical systems, steering, brakes, and suspensions

• Tune and repair engines

• Replace or repair damaged body parts, hydraulic arms or shovels, and grader blades

• Establish and follow schedules for maintaining vehicles

Training Provided

Job training consists of 8 to 29 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

• Engine repair and tune-up

• Troubleshooting mechanical and electrical problems

• Repairing and replacing body panels, fenders, and radiators

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps offer certified apprenticeship programs for some specialties in this occupation.

Special Requirements

Although some women are automotive and heavy equipment mechanics, some specialties in this occupation are open only to men.

Work Environment

Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics usually work inside large repair garages. They work outdoors when making emergency repairs in the field.

Physical Demands

Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics may have to lift heavy parts and tools. They sometimes have to work in cramped positions. Normal color vision is required for some specialties to work with color-coded wiring and to read diagrams.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include auto mechanics and industrial arts. Helpful attributes include:

• Preference for physical work

• Interest in troubleshooting and repairing mechanical problems

• Interest in automotive engines and how they work

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian automotive and heavy equipment mechanics may work for service stations, auto and construction equipment dealers, farm equipment companies, and state highway agencies. They perform duties similar to military automotive and heavy equipment mechanics. They may also be called garage mechanics, carburetor mechanics, transmission mechanics, radiator mechanics, construction equipment mechanics, or endless track vehicle mechanics.

Opportunities

The services have about 54,775 automotive and heavy equipment mechanics. On average, they need about 6,450 new mechanics each year. After job training, mechanics begin repairing equipment under the direction of a supervisor. In time, they have the opportunity to supervise other workers and possibly manage repair shops, motor pools, or maintenance units.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Secondary vocational education programs in industrial equipment maintenance and repair and diesel mechanics and postsecondary programs in diesel technology may offer co-op, internship, or other related work experience opportunities. Experience may also be obtained in the military or through formal apprenticeship training.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Heavy Equipment Mechanic employer

internships

volunteer work with a Heavy Equipment Mechanic employer

community service work with an agency

To get a Heavy Equipment Mechanic's job, apply directly to employers. Assistance may be available local offices of the Michigan Works!. Newspaper want ads often list job openings. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Overall wages of Heavy Equipment Mechanics differ slightly by geographic area. Union wages are usually higher than non-union wages.

Nationally, median weekly earnings (1998) of Heavy Equipment Mechanics were about $636 per week or $15.90 per hour.

In Michigan, the total compensation (base wage plus fringe benefits) for Heavy Equipment Mechanics employed in the construction industry ranged from $30.27 to $34.92 per hour.

Mechanics who maintained the truck fleets of a large utility company in the Detroit area (early 1999) had base hourly rates ranging from $16.97 to $1947, for apprentice Mechanics, and from $22.75 to $23.49 for experienced senior Mechanics.

In the auto industry (early 1999), most Mechanics who repaired light and heavy engines or trucks earned between $20.60 and $23.80 per hour. These workers also received a cost-of-living allowance. Some employers pay extra wages for evening and night shift work.

Heavy Equipment Mechanics usually receive paid vacations and holidays, life and health insurance, and sick leave. Unionized employees may have other fringe benefits as well.

There are several methods of advancement open to a Heavy Equipment Mechanic depending on the type of employer. Heavy Equipment Operators may advance to become Heavy Equipment Mechanics. Some Mechanics may become supervisors.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 104,300 Heavy Equipment Mechanics employed in 1996. Employment is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. About 4.8% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Heavy Equipment Mechanics looked like this:

There will be a growth in highway and building construction, maintenance and repair to improve the nation's infrastructure. Government funds for highway work will have a significant impact on the demand for construction machinery. There will be more vehicles needed and more mechanics necessary to keep them in operating condition. The machinery can now be operated more efficiently with on board computers and other design improvements. The net result of these factors will mean a slow rate of growth for the employment of heavy equipment mechanics.

There are approximately 2,275 Heavy Equipment Mechanics employed in Michigan. Most worked in urban areas.

Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 90 annual openings is expected, with 30 due to growth and 60 to replacement of those who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. In late 1998, there were 96 apprentices in training for this occupation, and 13 completed the apprentice program during the prior 12 months.

Employment of Heavy Equipment Mechanics should grow as the construction and mining industries expand and as more fuel efficient diesel engines are substituted for gasoline engines in heavy equipment as well as trucks.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Heavy Equipment Mechanic can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development