What Do Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and surface mining. They also repair and replace damaged or worn parts.

Other tasks include:

• 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.

We asked Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 45% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers’ specifications. They operate and inspect machines or heavy equipment to diagnose defects.

A typical day for a Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic will also include:

• Research, order, and maintain parts inventory for services and repairs.
• Clean parts by spraying them with grease solvent or immersing them in tanks of solvent.
• Read and understand operating manuals, blueprints, and technical drawings.
• Clean, lubricate, and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles.
• Schedule maintenance for industrial machines and equipment, and keep equipment service records.

We asked some Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	43% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	27% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	78% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	42% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	26% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	66% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics also fabricate needed parts or items from sheet metal. They may also fit bearings to adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics Repair, rewire, and troubleshoot electrical systems. They might also Assemble gear systems, and align frames and gears.

In addition, they Weld or solder broken parts and structural members, using electric or gas welders and soldering tools.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Examine parts for damage or excessive wear, using micrometers and gauges.

To some Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, it is also their responsibility to Clean, lubricate, and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heavy-vehicle-and-mobile-equipment-service-technicians.htm

http://www.aedcareers.com/

http://www.natef.org/

https://www.ase.com/Home.aspx