7312 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics repair, troubleshoot, adjust, overhaul and maintain mobile heavy-duty equipment used in construction, transportation, forestry, mining, oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, farming and similar activities. They are employed by companies which own and operate heavy equipment, and by heavy equipment dealers, rental and service establishments, railway transport companies and urban transit systems.
Profile
Index of titles
Example titles
Agricultural equipment technician
Apprentice farm equipment mechanic
Apprentice farm machinery mechanic
Backhoe mechanic
Caterpillar tractor repairer
Construction equipment mechanic
Construction equipment repairman/woman
Crane repairer
Crane service technician
Diesel engine mechanic
Diesel engine mechanic – heavy equipment
Diesel engine mechanic apprentice
Diesel engine repairman/woman – railway
Diesel locomotive repairman/woman
Diesel mechanic
Diesel mechanic – heavy equipment
Diesel mechanic apprentice
Dredge mechanic
Dredge repairer
Earthmoving equipment mechanic
Excavating equipment mechanic
Farm equipment mechanic
Farm equipment technician
Farm machinery mechanic
Farm machinery wheelwright
Farm tractor mechanic
Farm tractor repairer
Felling equipment mechanic
Fuel injection unit servicer – diesel
Grading equipment mechanic
Heavy diesel engine mechanic
Heavy equipment combination mechanic
Heavy equipment field mechanic
Heavy equipment inspector-repairer
Heavy equipment mechanic
Heavy equipment mechanic – diesel engine
Heavy mobile equipment repairer
Heavy mobile equipment repairman/woman
Heavy mobile logging equipment mechanic
Heavy mobile mining equipment mechanic
Heavy-duty equipment mechanic
Heavy-duty equipment mechanic apprentice
Heavy-duty equipment technician
Heavy-duty equipment technician apprentice
Journeyman/woman heavy-duty equipment mechanic
Locomotive mechanic
Mine locomotive repairman/woman
Mobile farm equipment mechanic
Mobile farm machinery repairer
Mobile logging equipment mechanic
Mobile mining equipment mechanic
Paving equipment mechanic
Power shovel mechanic
Repairer mechanic
Sideboom mechanic
Tractor mechanic
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Check bulldozers, cranes, graders and other heavy construction, agricultural, logging and mining equipment for proper performance and inspect equipment to detect faults and malfunctions
Diagnose faults or malfunctions using computerized and other testing equipment to determine extent of repair required
Adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components or systems, using hand and power tools
Test repaired equipment for proper performance and to ensure that work meets manufacturers’ specifications
Clean, lubricate and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment
Service attachments and working tools such as harvesting and tillage equipment, blades, ploughs, winches and side booms
May perform repair work on heavy trucks
May attach components and adjust new farm equipment.
Heavy-duty mechanics may specialize in specific types of machinery such as combines or tracked vehicles, or in engine overhaul, power shift transmissions, fuel injection, hydraulics or electronics.
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program is usually required.
Completion of a three- to five-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience and industry courses in heavy equipment repair is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
Heavy-duty equipment technician trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.
Agricultural equipment technician trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified heavy duty equipment technicians and agricultural equipment technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Additional information
The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Exclusions
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (7311)
Motor vehicle diesel engine mechanics (in 7321 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers)
Supervisors of heavy equipment mechanics (in 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades)