Heavy Equipment Mechanics

Career summary

Heavy equipment mechanics repair machines used in industrial work such as:

• Construction
• Logging

Mechanics maintain equipment so that it operates properly and safely. They examine equipment that breaks down for defects. They use hand-held computers to diagnose components that need repair. They may take the equipment apart to inspect or repair various parts. Sometimes they use jacks or hoists to lift or move large parts.

Heavy equipment mechanics check parts for damage using gauges and meters. They may clean parts by spraying them with or soaking them in solvent. They grease and oil parts that need it.

Mechanics repair or replace damaged or worn parts. They use hand tools to remove the parts and machine tools to repair some parts. They use welding equipment to weld broken frames or parts. They reassemble repaired equipment and test it for performance and safety.

Heavy equipment mechanics who work in large repair shops perform complex repairs. They may rebuild engines, fix electrical problems, or repair hydraulic pumps. They often specialize in one or two types of work, including:

• Major engine repair
• Transmission work
• Electrical systems
• Brake systems

Related careers

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Aircraft Mechanics
• Automobile Mechanics
• Building Maintenance Workers
• Bus and Truck Mechanics
• Chemical Plant Operators
• Electric Motor Repairers
• Elevator Installers and Repairers
• Farm Equipment Mechanics
• Heating and Cooling System Mechanics
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Motorboat Mechanics
• Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators
• Ship Engineers
• Small Engine Mechanics

Military careers

• Automotive and Heavy Equipment Mechanics

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to heavy equipment mechanics.

• Perform routine maintenance checks to ensure machines function well.
• Operate or inspect heavy equipment to locate defects.
• Use meters and hand-held computers to diagnose components that need repair.
• Take apart heavy equipment to examine or repair parts. Use hoists to lift or move large parts. Put equipment back together.
• Examine parts for damage, using gauges and meters.
• Clean parts by soaking them in solvent or spraying them.
• Repair or replace damaged or worn parts or components. Use hand and machine tools.
• Weld broken frames or parts. Use electric or gas welders.
• Test repaired equipment for proper operation and safety.
• May specialize in one type of work, such as engines, transmissions, brakes, or electrical systems.
• Schedule and keep records of maintenance.

Common work activities

Heavy equipment mechanics perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Handle and move objects
• Control machines and processes
• Get information needed to do the job
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Document and record information
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Process information
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Think creatively
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Analyze data or information
• Use computers
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Evaluate information against standards
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Teach others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Schedule work and activities
• Provide advice and consultation to others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, heavy equipment mechanics:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social contact. They communicate with others while they are working to ensure safety.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
• Occasionally are placed in conflict situations in which others may be rude or angry.
• Usually speak to others via face-to-face discussions, telephone, and e-mail.
• Sometimes work as part of a team of mechanics.

Physical work conditions

• Are often exposed to whole body vibration.
• Are sometimes exposed to hazardous equipment, situations, and conditions.
• Sometimes work outdoors at the work site, and sometimes work indoors in the repair shop.
• Sometimes stand or lie in awkward positions to repair equipment. Occasionally must climb to high places to reach parts of equipment.
• Often work in areas that may be hot or cold, depending on the weather.
• Are exposed to sounds and noise levels that are uncomfortable.
• Work inside various types of vehicles and equipment while repairing them.
• Must work in a variety of lighting conditions, from dim to bright.

Work performance

• Must be sure that all details are done and their work is exact. Errors could seriously endanger their own safety or the safety of workers who operate the equipment.
• Sometimes repeat the same physical and mental tasks.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first.
• Often make decisions that impact their employer or their customers without consulting another first.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a 40-hour week.
• May travel many miles from the repair shop to reach equipment needing repair.

Physical demands

Heavy equipment mechanics frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for heavy equipment mechanics to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for heavy equipment mechanics to be able to:

• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Heavy equipment mechanics need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with things

• Repair machines or systems.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operate and control equipment.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Determine the tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Agricultural Technologies
• Apprenticeship Programs
• Diesel Technology
• Industrial Mechanics

Other programs of study to consider

• Automotive Technology
• Boat Maintenance and Repair
• Heavy Equipment Operations
• Motorcycle Repair

Training

To work as a heavy equipment mechanic, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete long-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Some heavy equipment mechanics complete diesel technology programs. Professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer these programs. Some of these programs focus on heavy equipment mechanics. You learn the fundamentals of diesel engines, transmissions, and hydraulics. Most programs offer a combination of class instruction and hands-on practice. Programs last six months to two years. Two-year programs usually grant an associate degree.

On-the-job training

Many heavy equipment mechanics receive training on the job from an experienced mechanic. You begin by working as a helper. As a helper, you perform routine services and make minor repairs. As you get more experience, you work on more complex tasks. On-the-job training usually takes three to four years to complete.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be mechanics. They offer training in several types of engines, such as boat, auto, and heavy equipment. Training lasts eight to 29 weeks, depending on your specialty. Further training occurs on the job.

Washington apprenticeships

In Washington, heavy equipment mechanic apprenticeships fall under automotive machinists apprenticeships. The requirements for automotive machinists apprentice programs are as follows:

• completion of 4,000 to 8,000 hours (two to four years) of on-the-job training; and
• completion of 144 to 201 hours of classroom instruction each year.

Additionally, applicants must:

• be at least 18 years of age;
• be able to perform the physical aspects of the job; and
• have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Some programs require apprentices to pass an assessement test.

Contact Labor and Industries or check their apprenticeship website to see if programs are currently offered.

For further information on apprenticeships in Washington, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Apprenticeship Program 
PO Box 44530
Olympia, WA 98504-4530
360.902.5320

#OK 4/17/09 lh & 4/21/10, 4/4/12 & 3/18/14, 4/25/16 cj. Made minor change 4/3/18 cj.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Auto Repair Technology
• Diesel Mechanics and Repair
• Introduction to Mechanics

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer applicants who have completed a training program. The program could be in diesel or heavy equipment repair. Employers also prefer applicants who are familiar with diesel engines, transmissions, electrical systems, and hydraulics. Knowledge of electronics is also helpful.

Costs to workers

Most heavy equipment mechanics must buy their own hand tools, uniforms, and footwear. Some are required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and annual dues.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages and benefits vary by employer. Full-time mechanics may receive benefits such as sick leave, vacation pay, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 25% of heavy equipment mechanics work for heavy equipment dealers.

Major employers:

• Heavy equipment dealers
• Federal, state, and local government agencies
• Highway, street, and bridge construction companies

National outlook

Demand will be slower than average for heavy equipment mechanics. As the construction industry grows, opportunities will be best for those with formal training in diesel or heavy equipment mechanics.

Demand for heavy equipment mechanics follows the economic cycle. As the economy expands, construction increases and more mechanics are needed. As the economy slows down, construction decreases and heavy equipment may sit idle.

Other resources

Association of Diesel Specialists 
7250 Heritage Village Plaza, Suite 201
Gainesville, VA 20155
816.285.0810

International Union of Operating Engineers 
1125 - 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.429.9100

References

Career cluster

• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (49-3042.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Construction-equipment Mechanic (620.261-022) 
• Logging-equipment Mechanic (620.281-042) 
• Mechanic, Endless Track Vehicle (620.381-014) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled