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Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians Occupation Detailed Description

Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

The main tasks and work activities of Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians are to maintain repair or maintenance records, adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance, reassemble equipment after repair, test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning. In general, for the Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians, repairing, equipment Maintenance, troubleshooting, operation and Control and other 12 skills are required.
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious 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.
Job TrainingEmployees 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.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians jobs. 41.70% of Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 34.25% of Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
4.69%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
41.70%
Post-Secondary Certificate
34.25%
Some College Courses
8.39%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
8.33%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
2.64%

Tasks and Work Activities of Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

  • Record details of repairs made and parts used.
  • Reassemble machines and equipment following repair, testing operation and making adjustments, as necessary.
  • Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
  • Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
  • Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
  • Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
  • Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.
  • Clean and lubricate parts.
  • Tune or overhaul engines.
  • 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.
  • Calculate bills according to record of repairs made, labor time, and parts used.
  • Install and repair agricultural irrigation, plumbing, and sprinkler systems.
  • Repair bent or torn sheet metal.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentServicing, 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 MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Maintain repair or maintenance records.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Reassemble equipment after repair.
  • Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Repair defective engines or engine components.
  • Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
  • 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.
  • Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
  • Install machine or equipment replacement parts.
  • Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
  • Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
  • Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
  • Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
  • Move large objects using heavy equipment.
  • Fabricate parts or components.
  • Repair pipes to stop leaking.

Skills and Abilities for Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Equipment SelectionDetermining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving 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.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe 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.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Information OrderingThe 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).
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable end wrenches
  • Impact wrenchese.g. Air wrenches
  • Angle grindere.g. Angle grinders
  • Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machinee.g. Arc welders
  • Automatic lathe or chucking machinee.g. Automated lathes
  • Center punche.g. Automatic center punches
  • Tinners snipse.g. Aviation snips
  • Pullerse.g. Bearing pullers
  • Bench grindere.g. Bench grinders
  • Drill press or radial drille.g. Bench mount drill presses
  • C clampse.g. C clamps
  • Wire gaugee.g. Circular wire gauges
  • Bench visese.g. Clamp-on bench vises
  • Dial indicator or dial gaugee.g. Clamping dial indicator
  • Torque wrenchese.g. Click type torque wrenches
  • Screwdriverse.g. Clutch head screwdrivers
  • Combination plierse.g. Combination pliers
  • Combination wrenchese.g. Combination spanners
  • Countersinkse.g. Countersink drill bits
  • Crimping plierse.g. Crimping tools
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge 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 ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge 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.