What does a heavy equipment mechanic do?
A heavy equipment mechanic is responsible for operating the heavy machinery used in the production of various industries, inspecting inconsistencies, running diagnostic tests, and replacing defective components to ensure its operational safety and efficiency. Heavy equipment mechanics also upgrade engine systems to boost optimal performance, analyze damage costs, and repair equipment parts with the assistance of other mechanical staff. They work closely with the management, create maintenance reports, and suggesting resolutions to avoid delays in production and customer service.
Heavy equipment mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real heavy equipment mechanic resumes:
- Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
- Operate grinders, vises, jacks, cranes, drill presses, pallet lifts, wheel lifts, and solvent tank.
- Perform corrosion control and painting procedures on equipment using grinders, sanders, respirators and paint guns.
- Fix and maintain all types of heavy equipment such as backhoe, excavator, bull dozer and grader.
- Analyze and diagnose problems, troubleshoot electrical systems and their mechanical components.
- Perform queries into competitor technology to maintain ability to perform accurate diagnosis on equipment not produce by caterpillar.
- Light duty welding (arc, Mig), plasma cuts, gas torches, air arching, and pin gouging.
- Will obtain cdl if require.
- Train new drivers on pre-trip CDL test.
- Stick and MIG welding, fabrication, and installation.
- Cat scrapers, motor graders, dozers and more.
- Have a thorough knowledge of materials, dexterity and safety.
- Maintain all records / inventory / parts and dot records.
- Replace tracks, transmissions, engines, dumps, shovels and guards.
- Inspect ladders, vehicles, tools, and fall protection for serviceability.
Heavy equipment mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Heavy Equipment Mechanics are proficient in CDL, Hand Tools, and Loaders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Mechanical skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Heavy Equipment Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CDL, 8%
Present CDL Driver, HazMat Endorsement, Double and Triple Endorsement and Tanker Endorsement.
- Hand Tools, 7%
Installed electrical and electronic components, assemblies, and systems in wheel vehicles, using hand tools, and power tools.
- Loaders, 6%
Performed site landscaping and pesticide/fungicide application on site using font-end loaders and tractors.
- Cranes, 6%
Disassembled and assembled hydraulic cylinders for cranes, heavy equipment attachments and steering mechanisms.
- Electrical Systems, 4%
Serviced automotive electrical systems including wiring harness, and starting and charging systems.
- End Loaders, 4%
Operated front end loaders for 700+ hours unloading 5 Naval Vessels of military equipment worth 2.8 million dollars.
"cdl," "hand tools," and "loaders" are among the most common skills that heavy equipment mechanics use at work. You can find even more heavy equipment mechanic responsibilities below, including:
Dexterity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a heavy equipment mechanic to have is dexterity. Their role and responsibilities require that "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must perform many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools, with a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination." Heavy equipment mechanics often use dexterity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "conduct maintenance activities to tractor/trailers, crane truck, rough terrain forklift that provided services to client pumping units. "
Mechanical skills. Another essential skill to perform heavy equipment mechanic duties is mechanical skills. Heavy equipment mechanics responsibilities require that "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." Heavy equipment mechanics also use mechanical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "worked on crane way assembling and disassembling mrap vehicles, provided mechanical and some electrical assembly. "
Organizational skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of heavy equipment mechanics is organizational skills. This skill is critical to many everyday heavy equipment mechanic duties, as "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must maintain accurate service records and parts inventories." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed scheduled and unscheduled organizational and direct support maintenance, utilizing army electronic technical manuals. "
Physical strength. heavy equipment mechanic responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be able to lift and move heavy equipment, tools, and parts without risking injury." This resume example shows what heavy equipment mechanics do with physical strength on a typical day: "performed visual and physical brake inspection and adjustment on 621b caterpillar scraper. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another common skill required for heavy equipment mechanic responsibilities is "troubleshooting skills." This skill comes up in the duties of heavy equipment mechanics all the time, as "heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians must be familiar with diagnostic equipment to find the source of malfunctions." An excerpt from a real heavy equipment mechanic resume shows how this skill is central to what a heavy equipment mechanic does: "experience in rebuilding and troubleshooting air compressors and cylinders. "
The three companies that hire the most heavy equipment mechanics are:
- Waste Connections36 heavy equipment mechanics jobs
- Terex21 heavy equipment mechanics jobs
- MDU Resources19 heavy equipment mechanics jobs
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Compare different heavy equipment mechanics
Heavy equipment mechanic vs. Automotive service technician
Automotive service technicians, often called service technicians, have a duty to inspect, maintain, and repair cars and even light trucks. It is their job as automotive service technicians to find problems, often by computerized diagnostic equipment. They do test parts and systems to guarantee that they work properly and follow checklists to ensure that every critical part is examined. Performing basic care and maintenance is also part of their main tasks, including changing oil, rotating tires, and checking fluid levels.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between heavy equipment mechanics and automotive service technician. For instance, heavy equipment mechanic responsibilities require skills such as "cdl," "loaders," "cranes," and "electrical systems." Whereas a automotive service technician is skilled in "customer service," "manual dexterity," "customer satisfaction," and "ase." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Automotive service technicians really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $38,929. Comparatively, heavy equipment mechanics tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $60,682.automotive service technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than heavy equipment mechanics. In fact, automotive service technicians are 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Heavy equipment mechanic vs. Auto technician
An auto technician specializes in performing inspections, repairs, and maintenance on different automotive vehicles ranging from small cars to light trucks. Their responsibilities revolve around identifying issues using various diagnostic tools to determine which course of action to take, discussing the extent of repairs to clients, and ordering car parts from suppliers. There are also instances when an auto technician may have the task of maintaining the cleanliness of the workplace, or participate in record-keeping and monitoring the inventory.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real heavy equipment mechanic resumes. While heavy equipment mechanic responsibilities can utilize skills like "cdl," "loaders," "cranes," and "electrical systems," auto technicians use skills like "taking care," "customer vehicles," "customer service," and "work ethic."
On average, auto technicians earn a lower salary than heavy equipment mechanics. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, auto technicians earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $38,823. Whereas heavy equipment mechanics have higher pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $60,682.auto technicians earn similar levels of education than heavy equipment mechanics in general. They're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Heavy equipment mechanic vs. Diesel technician
Diesel technicians specialize in repairing and handling the maintenance of vehicles powered by diesel. They are primarily responsible for inspecting cars, conducting tests, and identifying its problems to determine what course of action to take. Aside from repairing engines, diesel technicians may also fix other systems such as brakes, steering, and even lighting. It is essential to discuss the extent of repairs to clients and make them understand the costs involved. Furthermore, it is vital to maintain an accurate record of data at all times.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a heavy equipment mechanic is likely to be skilled in "loaders," "cranes," "forklifts," and "osha," while a typical diesel technician is skilled in "customer service," "preventative maintenance," "diagnosis," and "dot."
Diesel technicians earn the highest salary when working in the utilities industry, where they receive an average salary of $49,875. Comparatively, heavy equipment mechanics have the highest earning potential in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $60,682.diesel technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to heavy equipment mechanics. Specifically, they're 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Heavy equipment mechanic vs. Mechanic helper
The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues. In addition, you will be responsible for logging labor costs and inventory use and take vehicles for test drives. Other duties include replacing belts and hoses, assisting the lead mechanic in major projects, and repairing and maintaining cars.
Types of heavy equipment mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025
