Mobile Heavy Equip Mechanic

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Work Tasks

MOBILE HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANICS repair and maintain engines, transmissions, hydraulics, and electrical systems that power cranes, bulldozers, graders, backhoes, railcars, and stripping and loading shovels. They perform routine maintenance checks on diesel engines and fuel, brake, and transmission systems to ensure peak performance, safety, and longevity of the equipment. Mechanics repair, replace, clean, and lubricate parts and diagnose and correct electrical problems and replace defective electronic components.

Salary, Size & Growth

• $45,500 average per year ($22.00 per hour)
• A medium occupation (108,500 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.9% per year)

Entry Requirements

Employers prefer that applicants for MOBILE HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC jobs complete a formal training program after graduating from high school. They look for people with mechanical aptitude who are knowledgeable about the fundamentals of diesel engines, transmissions, electrical systems, and hydraulics. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer programs in diesel technology which lead to either a certificate of completion or an associate degree in diesel or heavy equipment mechanics. High school courses in automobile repair, physics, chemistry, and mathematics provide a strong foundation for this occupation.