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Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Chainsaw Technician
  • Golf Cart Mechanic
  • Lawnmower Repair Mechanic
  • Mechanic
  • Outdoor Power Equipment Service Technician
  • Service Technician (Service Tech)
  • Shop Mechanic
  • Small Engine Mechanic
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What do Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics do?

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics are specialized technicians who focus on the repair, maintenance, and service of small engines found in a variety of equipment, including lawn mowers, chainsaws, garden tractors, and other machinery utilized in landscaping and agricultural settings. These mechanics are skilled in diagnosing issues related to mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems, which often require a thorough understanding of various power equipment technologies.

Their work involves disassembling engines to repair or replace defective components, such as carburetors, ignition systems, and fuel systems. They also conduct routine maintenance tasks, such as oil changes, air filter replacements, and blade sharpening, to ensure that equipment operates efficiently and safely.

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics may work in repair shops, dealerships, rental businesses, or even on-site at customer locations. Their proficiency not only enhances the longevity and performance of the equipment but also contributes significantly to the operational efficiency of landscaping and forestry industries.

What the work actually is

  • Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
  • Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
  • Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
  • 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.

Skills employers expect

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.
  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Knowledge

  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge 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 Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Engineering and Technology Knowledge 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 Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Some college, no degree
Less than high school diploma

A normal week

  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Data base user interface and query software Ideal Computer Systems Ideal OPE 路 RepairTRAX 路 Smart Equipment Repair
  • Analytical or scientific software Land & Sea DYNO-MAX 路 VersaDyne small engine test system
  • Point of sale POS software Sale processing software
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software

Tools

  • Pullers Cotter pin pullers 路 Fuel line removers 路 Gear pullers
  • Sockets Metric flex socket wrenches 路 Spark plug socket wrenches 路 Standard flex socket wrenches
  • Screwdrivers Phillips head screwdrivers 路 Slot screwdrivers 路 Small jet carburetor screwdrivers
  • Specialty wrenches Bearing drivers 路 Breaker bars 路 Starter clutch wrenches
  • Spark plug tester Adjustable gap spark testers 路 Ignition testers 路 Inline spark testers

Who it suits

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.

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Questions people ask

How much do Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics earn in South Africa?

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics do?

Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used, Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments and Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.