Heavy-duty Equipment Technicians

Nature of work

Heavy-duty equipment technicians repair and maintain heavy construction and off-highway vehicles, whether wheeled or tracked. Agricultural equipment technicians repair and service machines typically used in the farming industry. They work for companies that own and operate heavy equipment, and by heavy equipment dealers, rental and service companies, and railway transport companies and urban transit systems.

Job duties

Heavy-duty equipment mechanics:

• Check bulldozers, cranes, graders, and other heavy construction, agricultural, logging and mining equipment for proper performance and inspect equipment to detect faults and malfunctions.
• Diagnose faults or malfunctions using computerized and other testing equipment to determine extent of repair required.
• Adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components, or systems, using hand and power tools.
• Test repaired equipment for proper performance and to ensure that work meets manufacturers' specifications.
• Clean, lubricate and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment.
• Service attachments and working tools like harvesting and tillage equipment, blades, ploughs, winches, and side booms.
• May perform repair work on heavy trucks.
• May attach components and adjust new farm equipment.

Sample job titles

• agricultural equipment technician
• construction equipment mechanic
• crane service technician
• farm equipment mechanic
• farm machinery mechanic
• heavy diesel engine mechanic
• heavy equipment inspector-repairer
• heavy-duty equipment mechanic
• heavy-duty equipment technician

Skills

• Mechanical ability
• Hand-eye coordination
• Good vision, hearing and a sense of smell to diagnose problems
• Strength and stamina to lift heavy machine parts and in cramped or awkward positions
• Ability to think logically
• Ability to understand technical information
• Ability to work independently with little supervision
• Interpersonal skills for working with others
• Math and computer skills
• Technicians should enjoy working with their hands, doing precision work, solving problems and diagnosing complex mechanical, hydraulic and electrical problems.

Job requirements

• High school or equivalent (usually).
• Training through a 7,200-hour apprenticeship program with four apprenticeship levels: to become an apprentice you first need to have a job - enter an apprenticeship agreement either directly through an employer or after graduating from a college-level pre-apprenticeship program; learn on the job, mentored by a certified journeyperson who signs off on skills in a logbook.
• Trade Qualifier option, 10,800 hours and other criteria.
• Certification for agricultural equipment technicians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
• Certification for heavy-duty equipment technicians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
• Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for agricultural equipment technicians or heavy-duty equipment technicians.
• Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.

Other considerations

• Agricultural equipment technician working conditions: fully equipped service centres or may travel to farms to make service calls. Hours of work vary from regular hours during winter to long and essential hours during planting and harvesting seasons.
• Agricultural equipment technicians regularly handle heavy machine parts.
• Experienced agricultural equipment technicians may advance to supervisory positions or move into sales positions or become manufacturer’s service representatives. Others may purchase their own agricultural equipment dealership.
• Heavy-duty equipment technician working conditions: varies from one job to another. Some work in modern shops. Others work at construction or industrial sites. Sometimes outdoors in all weather conditions. Travel requirements and work hours vary.
• Risks: there is some risk of injury when working with heavy equipment and power tools.
• Experienced technicians may advance to supervisor or service manager positions or start their own business.
• Heavy-duty mechanics may specialize in machinery like combines or tracked vehicles, or in engine overhaul, power shift transmissions, fuel injection, hydraulics, or electronics.
• Apprentices usually earn a percentage of the journeyperson (fully qualified) rate. This percentage increases as each level of the apprenticeship program is completed.
• Everyone has fair access to participate and succeed in the apprenticeship system. Everyone who develops the necessary skills and abilities should be able to succeed in the trades and trade qualification system. Work environments in the province support women and equity-seeking communities.

Regulations

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