Occupation Details
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$35,040.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$48,500.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$53,060.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
950
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
1,120
+17 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
118
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adjustable end wrenches
- Air wrenches
- Angle grinders
- Arc welders
- Automated lathes
- Automatic center punches
- Aviation snips
- Bearing pullers
- Bench grinders
- Bench mount drill presses
- C clamps
- Circular wire gauges
- Clamp-on bench vises
- Clamping dial indicator
- Click type torque wrenches
- Clutch head screwdrivers
- Combination pliers
- Combination spanners
- Countersink drill bits
- Crimping tools
- Curved claw hammers
- Diagnostic scan units
- Diagonal cutting pliers
- Diamond point chisels
- Digital multimeters
- Digital ohmmeters
- Digital oscilloscopes
- Digital pyrometers
- Digital tachometers
- Digital tire pressure gauges
Technology
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- FarmLogic FarmPAD
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- ServiceMax
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- determine installation, service, or repair needed
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
- test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
- maintain repair records
- use basic plumbing techniques
- follow vehicle repair procedures
- use combination welding procedures
- use knowledge of metric system
- use knowledge of welding filler rod types
- observe or listen to machinery or equipment operation to detect malfunctions
- operate woodworking equipment/machinery
- use engine diagnostic equipment
- operate vehicle engine electrical system test equipment
- use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
- use hand or power tools
- set up and operate variety of machine tools
- use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
- use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- use soldering equipment
- use arc welding equipment
- use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
- move or fit heavy objects
- repair sheet metal products
- assemble and install pipe sections, fittings, or plumbing fixtures
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- understand service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- identify base metals for welding
- adjust or set mechanical controls or components
- align or adjust clearances of vehicle body parts or components
- diagnose mechanical problems in machinery or equipment
- maintain or repair cargo or passenger vehicle
- maintain or repair small engines
- test mechanical products or equipment
- maintain welding machines or equipment
- overhaul vehicle major operating units, such as engines or transmissions
- conduct tests to locate mechanical system malfunction
- repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
- lubricate machinery, equipment, or parts
- service vehicle with water, fuel, or oil
- examine vehicle to detect malfunctions, damage, or maintenance needed
- diagnose malfunctioning vehicle systems
- assemble, dismantle, or reassemble equipment or machinery
- maintain or repair farm vehicles, machinery, or mechanical implements
- inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
- drive automobile, van, or light truck
- operate tractor with accessories or attachments
- test operate vehicles before or after repair
- operate crane in construction, manufacturing or repair setting
- read blueprints
- read schematics
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
- Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
- Record details of repairs made and parts used.
- Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.
- Clean and lubricate parts.
- Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
- Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
- Tune or overhaul engines.
- Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.
- Drive trucks to haul tools and equipment for on-site repair of large machinery.
- Fabricate new metal parts, using drill presses, engine lathes, and other machine tools.
- Repair bent or torn sheet metal.
- Calculate bills according to record of repairs made, labor time, and parts used.
- Install and repair agricultural irrigation, plumbing, and sprinkler systems.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians and mechanics
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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