Occupation Details
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.
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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.
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
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
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
$45,620.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$62,160.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$77,940.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
3,350
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
4,130
+78 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
443
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.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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.
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.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adjustable monkey wrenches
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air compressors
- Allen wrenches
- Ammeters
- Awls
- Ball peen hammers
- Battery chargers
- Bolt cutters
- Boring bars
- Brake bleeder wrenches
- Brass drifts
- Brazing equipment
- Breaker bars
- Center punches
- Channel lock pliers
- Circuit testers
- Clamp-on multimeters
- Cold chisels
- Combination wrenches
- Cordless screwdrivers
- Crowfoot wrenches
- Cutting torches
- Desktop computers
- Diagonal cutting pliers
- Dial calipers
- Dial gauges
- Drill presses
- Dual action pliers
Technology
- Database software
- Maintenance management software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Recordkeeping software
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.
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- develop maintenance schedules
- determine installation, service, or repair needed
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- follow vehicle repair procedures
- follow safe waste disposal procedures
- use combination welding procedures
- use knowledge of metric system
- use knowledge of welding filler rod types
- understand service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- identify base metals for welding
- maintain repair records
- apply cleaning solvents
- move or fit heavy objects
- read blueprints
- read schematics
- read technical drawings
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- fabricate sheet metal parts or items
- use electronic calibration devices
- use engine diagnostic equipment
- operate sheet metal fabrication machines
- operate vehicle engine electrical system test equipment
- solder vehicle components
- use control or regulating devices to adjust or maintain industrial machinery
- use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
- use hand or power tools
- set up and operate variety of machine tools
- use measuring devices in repairing industrial or heavy equipment
- use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
- use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
- use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- operate pneumatic test equipment
- use gas welding equipment
- burn (cut), trim, or scarf metal objects
- solder metal parts or components together
- use soldering equipment
- use arc welding equipment
- use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
- operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
- assemble gear systems
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- test operate vehicles before or after repair
- operate crane in construction, manufacturing or repair setting
- adjust or set mechanical controls or components
- align vehicle frame
- align or adjust clearances of mechanical components or parts
- align or adjust clearances of vehicle body parts or components
- diagnose mechanical problems in machinery or equipment
- test mechanical products or equipment
- maintain welding machines or equipment
- maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
- overhaul industrial or construction machinery 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
- inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Repair and replace damaged or worn parts.
- Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications.
- Operate and inspect machines or heavy equipment to diagnose defects.
- Read and understand operating manuals, blueprints, and technical drawings.
- Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
- Overhaul and test machines or equipment to ensure operating efficiency.
- Adjust, maintain, and repair or replace subassemblies, such as transmissions and crawler heads, using hand tools, jacks, and cranes.
- Repair, rewire, and troubleshoot electrical systems.
- Diagnose faults or malfunctions to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices.
- Examine parts for damage or excessive wear, using micrometers and gauges.
- Weld or solder broken parts and structural members, using electric or gas welders and soldering tools.
- Schedule maintenance for industrial machines and equipment, and keep equipment service records.
- Fit bearings to adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment.
- Research, order, and maintain parts inventory for services and repairs.
- Clean, lubricate, and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles.
- Assemble gear systems, and align frames and gears.
- Clean parts by spraying them with grease solvent or immersing them in tanks of solvent.
- Adjust and maintain industrial machinery, using control and regulating devices.
- Fabricate needed parts or items from sheet metal.
- Direct workers who are assembling or disassembling equipment or cleaning parts.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Automotive and Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreHeavy 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.
Learn More