Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians and Mechanics

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.91
• Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.89
• Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.89
• Record details of repairs made and parts used.87
• Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.87
• Clean and lubricate parts.86
• Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.86
• Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.83
• Tune or overhaul engines.76
• Calculate bills according to record of repairs made, labor time, and parts used.75
• Drive trucks to haul tools and equipment for on-site repair of large machinery.74
• Fabricate new metal parts, using drill presses, engine lathes, and other machine tools.66

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Equipment Maintenance81

  Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

• Repairing81

  Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

• Troubleshooting75

  Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

• Operation and Control69

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Critical Thinking63

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Complex Problem Solving60

  Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Operations Monitoring60

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Quality Control Analysis60

  Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

• Equipment Selection56

  Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

• Active Listening53

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Judgment and Decision Making53

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Monitoring53

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Mechanical92

  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• Customer and Personal Service71

  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.

• English Language68

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Computers and Electronics67

  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

• Engineering and Technology64

  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.

• Mathematics60

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Physics60

  Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

• Production and Processing51

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Administration and Management42

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Design42

  Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• Administrative37

  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

• Sales and Marketing35

  Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Control Precision75

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Finger Dexterity75

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Manual Dexterity75

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Multilimb Coordination75

  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

• Near Vision72

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Problem Sensitivity72

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

• Visualization72

  The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

• Arm-Hand Steadiness69

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Deductive Reasoning69

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

• Extent Flexibility66

  The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

• Inductive Reasoning63

  The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

• Information Ordering63

  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment90

  Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials80

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Getting Information79

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment78

  Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

• Handling and Moving Objects77

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment77

  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

• Documenting/Recording Information75

  Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

• Controlling Machines and Processes74

  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events74

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates71

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge71

  Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems70

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Dependability82

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Attention to Detail79

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Cautiousness60

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Perseverance59

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Achievement Orientation41

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Integrity40

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Stress Tolerance40

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Adaptability32

  A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

• Initiative32

  A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

• Intellectual Curiosity31

  A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

• Self-Confidence29

  A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

• Self-Control27

  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic100

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional55

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Investigative34

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

• Social5

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Enterprising1

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

• Artistic0

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

  • Every day92%

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

  • Continually or almost continually79%
  • About half the time12%

• Exposed to Contaminants

  • Every day70%
  • Once a week or more but not every day26%

• Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

  • Every day57%
  • Once a week or more but not every day38%

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

  • Every day75%
  • Once a year or more but not every month15%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others63%
  • Contact with others most of the time16%
  • Contact with others about half the time17%

• Freedom to Make Decisions

  • Some freedom33%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important59%
  • Very important26%
  • Important11%

• Spend Time Standing

  • More than half the time38%
  • About half the time11%

• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

  • Important results40%
  • Moderate results15%

• Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

  • Every day49%
  • Once a week or more but not every day34%
  • Once a month or more but not every week13%

• Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

  • Continually or almost continually43%
  • More than half the time41%
  • About half the time12%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• Post-secondary certificate
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associate’s degree or other 2-year degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Data base user interface and query software

  FarmLogic FarmPAD, ServiceMax

• Electronic mail software

  Microsoft Outlook

• Facilities management software

  Computerized maintenance management system CMMS

• Office suite software

  Microsoft Office software

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

• Internet browser software

  Web browser software

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• American Farm Bureau Federation
• Associated Equipment Distributors
• ASE Education Foundation
• National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Industrial and Refractory Machinery Mechanics
• Small Engine Mechanics
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
• Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
• Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery
• Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
• Millwrights
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers
• Boilermakers
• Small Engine Mechanics
• Miscellaneous agricultural workers, including animal breeders
• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
• Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
• Electrical and electronics repairers, transportation equipment, and industrial and utility
• Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
• Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Reassemble equipment after repair.
• Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
• Confer with customers or users to assess problems.
• Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear.
• Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
• Repair defective engines or engine components.
• Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
• Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
• Maintain repair or maintenance records.
• Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
• Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.

Registered apprenticeship program titles associated with this occupation.

• Dairy Equipment Repairer
• Farm Equipment Mechanic and Technician
• Farm Equipment Mechanic Ii