Heavy Equipment Mechanics - An Overview

Heavy Equipment Mechanics involve the repair,assemblies, driveshaft, driving wheel, etc., in
overhaul and the maintenance of mobile,trucks, tractors, scrapers, graders, and other
heavy-duty equipment used in construction,heavy equipment. Heavy equipment mechanics
forestry, mining, material handling, landscaping, landthat work in large repair shops perform more
clearing, farming and similar activities. These days,complex tasks. They may rebuild engines, fix
heavy equipment mechanics have many moreelectrical problems, or repair hydraulic pumps. A
tools at their disposal when trucks and otherhydraulic pump is one that is operated by fluid
equipment break down.under pressure. Mechanics in large shops often
Heavy equipment mechanics are mostly involvedspecialize in one or two types of work. For
in the repair of machines that are used in logging,example, a shop may have specialists in major
construction, and industrial work. They look afterengine repair, transmission work, electrical
the maintenance of equipment, so that theysystems, and brake systems
operate safely and smoothly. When there is aThe courseware focuses on troubleshooting,
break down, they check it for the causes of theservicing, maintaining, and rebuilding of both two-
malfunction.and four-cycle engines manufactured by various
Nowadays, mechanics use hand-held computerscompanies. The candidate must complete his
for component error diagnoses and repair. Thesecondary school diploma, with credits in Math,
use of jacks or hoists helps in this process.English and Science, as well as technical courses
Gauges and meters are also used by heavysuch as electrical systems or auto mechanics. The
equipment mechanics to check parts for damage.apprenticeship must be completed within 9000
The greasing, oiling and cleaning of parts arehours. A combination of on-the-job and in-school
performed by soaking them in solvents. Mechanicstraining is required, prior to successfully passing a
also use welding equipment to mend brokenwritten examination for the Certificate of
frames or parts. After the repairs, theyQualification.
reassemble the equipment and test it forModern laboratories employ heavy-duty
performance and safety.equipment mechanics to conduct research on
Heavy duty mechanics are required to check andoverhauling fuel injection pumps. However, most
determine problems in the functioning ofof the heavy mechanics work in construction
bulldozers, cranes, graders and other heavyfields, working in oily or greasy environments, and
construction, logging and mining equipment. Theyin all sorts of weather. The work shift is full-time,
clean, lubricate and maintain equipment accordingwith a high risk of injury present by working
to maintenance schedules. They makearound heavy equipment and power tools.
adjustments to equipment, repair, or replaceTraveling is also involved, along with weekend and
defective parts, components, or systems. Theyovertime work. Heavy equipment firms employ
test repaired equipment for proper performance.heavy-duty equipment mechanics. The other
They need to communicate with customers,organizations that employ mechanics are
co-workers, and service managers. They readconstruction, mining, forestry, material handling
owner/operator/manufacturer operating manualsbusinesses, farming, and transportation companies.
and service specification in order to carry outApprentices generally earn less than fully qualified
their job.mechanics. As skills and expertise increase, the
Specialized courses help novices to learn aboutsalary also increases. Fully qualified heavy
maintaining and repairing important drive-lineequipment mechanics can earn from $18 - 25 per
components, including clutches, transmissions, axlehour.