Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

Skills

• Equipment Maintenance

  Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

• Repairing

  Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

• Troubleshooting

  Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

• Operation and Control

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Critical Thinking

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

• Control Precision

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Manual Dexterity

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Multilimb Coordination

  The 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.

• Finger Dexterity

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Arm-Hand Steadiness

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

• High school diploma or equivalent
  42 %

  or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

• Post-secondary certificate
  34 %

  Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

• Some college, no degree
  8 %

Work Activities

• Getting Information

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

  Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Detailed Work Activities

• Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
• Repair defective engines or engine components.
• Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
• Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Maintain repair or maintenance records.

Work Interests

• Realistic

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Conventional

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Investigative

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.