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Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Occupation Detailed Description

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

The main tasks and work activities of Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics are to repair defective engines or engine components, maintain work equipment or machinery, adjust vehicle components according to specifications, reassemble equipment after repair. In general, for the Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics, repairing, equipment Maintenance, troubleshooting, operation Monitoring and other 7 skills are required.
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics jobs. 48.05% of Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 12.46% of Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
12.22%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
48.05%
Post-Secondary Certificate
12.46%
Some College Courses
27.27%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

  • Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
  • Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
  • Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
  • Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
  • Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
  • Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
  • Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
  • Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
  • Sell parts and equipment.
  • Show customers how to maintain equipment.
  • Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
  • Replace motors.
  • Grind, ream, rebore, and re-tap parts to obtain specified clearances, using grinders, lathes, taps, reamers, boring machines, and micrometers.
  • Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
  • 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.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • 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.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • 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.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or PeopleAssessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Repair defective engines or engine components.
  • Maintain work equipment or machinery.
  • Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
  • Reassemble equipment after repair.
  • Maintain repair or maintenance records.
  • Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
  • Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
  • Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
  • Confer with customers or users to assess problems.
  • Estimate costs for labor or materials.
  • Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
  • Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Train customers in the use of products.
  • Disassemble equipment to inspect for deficiencies.
  • Grind parts to required dimensions.
  • Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
  • Bolt objects into place.
  • Position equipment using hand tools, power tools, or heavy equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

  • 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 MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Equipment SelectionDetermining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • 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.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Hearing SensitivityThe ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • 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).
  • Spark plug testere.g. Adjustable gap spark testers
  • Allen wrenche.g. Allen wrench sets
  • Center punche.g. Automatic center punches
  • Ball peen hammere.g. Ball peen hammers
  • Wire brushese.g. Battery terminal cleaners
  • Specialty wrenchese.g. Bearing drivers
  • Specialty wrenchese.g. Breaker bars
  • Bearing fitting tool kitse.g. Cam bearing plug gauges
  • Wrench accessories and suppliese.g. Camshaft bearing drivers
  • Pullerse.g. Camshaft bearing pullers
  • Compression pressure gaugee.g. Carburetor pressure gauges
  • Locking plierse.g. Channel lock pliers
  • Voltage or current meterse.g. Charging system testers
  • Growler testere.g. Coil testers
  • Combination plierse.g. Combination pliers
  • Combination wrenchese.g. Combination wrenches
  • Compression pressure gaugee.g. Compression testing gauges
  • Scannerse.g. Computer data input scanners
  • Pullerse.g. Cotter pin pullers
  • Crankshaft grindere.g. Crankshaft straighteners
  • 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.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Sales and MarketingKnowledge 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.