Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic Spotlight

People are happy to see a Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic show up at a job site but just as happy to see them leave. That’s because when they fix a problem, the crew on site can resume their work.

What a typical day looks like:

Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics arrive at the construction or operations work site when there is a problem with big mechanical systems, components or parts. They inspect and test equipment and machines to diagnose defects, and then fix the problem. They also do preventative maintenance, change air filters and check fluids on industrial and construction vehicles, such as bulldozers, graters and excavators.

Operating manuals, blueprints and technical drawings are guidebooks that help Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics determine which processes to follow or which parts might be needed. If they don’t have the part they need to make repairs, they will order it in. The solution to the problem isn’t always simple. Almost all equipment today has multiple electrical control systems and sensors, so these mechanics work with a combination of heavy machinery, electronics and computers to get things in tip-top shape.

Typically employed in the oil sands and oil and gas services sectors of the oil and gas industry, they’ll work in a full range of environmental conditions: from comfortable shops to remote sites in inclement weather. This may require working away from home, living in a camp, shift work and extended hours. Good physical condition and agility are required as the work is often physical.

The kinds of problems Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics solve at work:

It has been said that the amount of information a Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic has to retain to inspect, diagnose and fix equipment resembles that of a doctor. They often diagnose equipment problems by plugging their laptop into the electronic control module (ECM) of a machine. Then, they’ll be responsible to find the problem and resolve it.

Skills used most on the job:

Good communication skills are just as critical as their technical skills. Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics need to work well with a variety of different people and also be comfortable using computers and electronics, maintaining equipment and repairing machines and systems. They also might be required to have basic welding skills to make mechanical repairs or soldering skills to make electrical repairs.

Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics keep all of the big machines in the oil and gas industry running smoothly. Due to their expertise, worksites are able to keep getting the job done.