Occupation · SOC 49-3042
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.
Median wage
$63,980
$45,450–$92,360
Projected growth
+5.8%
Average growth
Annual openings
1,090
per year
Employed (US)
180,270
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
118 mapped
Core skills
TroubleshootingRepairingEquipment MaintenanceOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisEquipment SelectionCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
MechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsPublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareMaterials requirements planning logistics and supply chain softwareFacilities management softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Repair and replace damaged or worn parts.Test mechanical products and equipment after repair or assembly to ensure proper performance and compliance with manufacturers' specifications.Operate and inspect machines or heavy equipment to diagnose defects.Read and understand operating manuals, blueprints, and technical drawings.Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.Overhaul and test machines or equipment to ensure operating efficiency.Adjust, maintain, and repair or replace subassemblies, such as transmissions and crawler heads, using hand tools, jacks, and cranes.Repair, rewire, and troubleshoot electrical systems.Diagnose faults or malfunctions to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices.Examine parts for damage or excessive wear, using micrometers and gauges.Weld or solder broken parts and structural members, using electric or gas welders and soldering tools.Fit bearings to adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment.Research, order, and maintain parts inventory for services and repairs.Schedule maintenance for industrial machines and equipment, and keep equipment service records.Clean, lubricate, and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment and vehicles.Assemble gear systems, and align frames and gears.Clean parts by spraying them with grease solvent or immersing them in tanks of solvent.Adjust and maintain industrial machinery, using control and regulating devices.Fabricate needed parts or items from sheet metal.Direct workers who are assembling or disassembling equipment or cleaning parts.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Worn and damaged parts — identify and replace under direct supervision on construction or agricultural equipment in a shop environment.Hand tools and basic hoisting equipment — use to dismantle subassemblies under technician guidance during structured on-the-job training.Operating manuals and technical drawings — read and interpret basic diagrams to locate components on assigned heavy equipment.Mechanical defects — recognize common symptoms and report findings to a supervising mechanic during equipment inspection rounds.Post-repair performance checks — assist in conducting manufacturer-specified tests on reassembled equipment under direct oversight.Preventive maintenance schedules — follow prescribed checklists to lubricate, inspect, and service mobile heavy equipment in a maintenance bay.Electrical wiring and connectors — identify and inspect for visible damage on heavy equipment electrical systems with supervisor direction.Transmission and crawler-head components — assist in disassembly and reassembly tasks using jacks and hand tools under close supervision.Shop safety protocols — apply established procedures when working around heavy equipment, hoists, and hazardous fluids in a service facility.Parts inventory and materials software — enter basic work-order data and look up replacement part numbers using shop database systems.
developing
Damaged or worn mechanical parts — diagnose and replace independently on a variety of mobile heavy equipment with minimal supervision in a fleet-maintenance setting.Hydraulic and mechanical subassemblies — overhaul and reassemble transmissions, crawler heads, and lift systems using cranes and precision hand tools in a production shop.Operational defects — troubleshoot by operating and road-testing heavy equipment to isolate root causes before initiating repairs.Technical service bulletins and blueprints — interpret multi-page diagrams and apply specifications to ensure accurate component reassembly on earthmoving or material-handling equipment.Electrical systems — rewire, test, and repair circuits and control panels on heavy equipment using multimeters and wiring diagrams in a field or shop context.Repaired equipment — conduct post-overhaul performance and load tests, comparing results against manufacturer tolerances to confirm operating efficiency.Time and workflow — plan daily repair sequences and prioritize work orders to meet equipment return-to-service deadlines in a busy maintenance yard.Quality control findings — document inspection results, defects, and corrective actions in facility management or maintenance-tracking software.Common mechanical and hydraulic problems — apply critical thinking to select appropriate repair methods and tools from available resources without supervisor input.Customer or operator communication — explain repair findings and service recommendations clearly in written work orders and verbal briefings.
proficient
Complex multi-system failures — diagnose autonomously across hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, and structural systems on a full range of mobile heavy equipment in field and shop environments.Non-routine overhauls — plan and execute complete machine rebuilds, coordinating hoist, crane, and precision tooling operations to manufacturer specifications without oversight.Electrical troubleshooting on advanced systems — isolate faults in CAN-bus, sensor networks, and computerized control modules using diagnostic scan tools on late-model equipment.Post-repair compliance — design and execute comprehensive test protocols that validate performance against OEM specifications and regulatory safety standards before equipment release.Difficult-to-diagnose defects — apply deductive reasoning and structured diagnostic frameworks to resolve intermittent or multi-cause failures on high-value equipment under operational pressure.Technical documentation — produce detailed repair reports, modification records, and parts-usage analyses using spreadsheet and word-processing software for audit and warranty purposes.Subassembly selection and sourcing — evaluate OEM versus aftermarket component options using materials-requirements-planning software to balance cost, availability, and reliability.Preventive and predictive maintenance programs — assess equipment condition data and operating-hour logs to refine service intervals and reduce unplanned downtime across a mixed fleet.Safety and compliance standards — ensure all repairs and inspections meet public-safety and manufacturer requirements, identifying risks and implementing corrective controls proactively.Cross-trade coordination — collaborate with operators, project managers, and parts personnel to align repair schedules with equipment deployment timelines on active job sites.
advanced
Shop-wide diagnostic standards — develop and implement standardized troubleshooting procedures and quality-control protocols adopted across a multi-technician heavy-equipment maintenance department.Technician development programs — mentor and evaluate emerging and developing mechanics, designing structured training plans aligned to vocational and apprenticeship competency milestones.Fleet maintenance strategy — lead the design of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs that maximize uptime and minimize lifecycle costs across an organization's heavy-equipment assets.Technical knowledge base — author and maintain shop repair manuals, best-practice guides, and safety bulletins used as authoritative references by all maintenance staff.Capital and parts procurement — direct equipment tooling, parts inventory, and technology investments by analyzing failure-trend data and sourcing intelligence from supply-chain software.Organizational performance metrics — establish KPIs for repair quality, turnaround time, and cost-per-machine-hour, reporting outcomes to senior leadership using project-management and data tools.Complex warranty and liability cases — lead root-cause investigations into major equipment failures, producing formal technical reports for manufacturers, insurers, or regulatory bodies.Cross-functional leadership — coordinate maintenance, operations, safety, and procurement teams to align equipment-readiness plans with organizational project schedules and budget cycles.Emerging technology adoption — evaluate and introduce new diagnostic platforms, telematics systems, and repair technologies to keep the maintenance organization current with evolving heavy-equipment designs.Regulatory and safety governance — oversee compliance with OSHA, environmental, and manufacturer-certification requirements across the maintenance facility, leading audits and corrective-action planning at the organizational level.
Also known as
140 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Heavy Equipment Service Technician (Heavy Equipment Service Tech)Heavy Equipment Diesel MechanicMaintenance MechanicCrane MechanicHydraulic Jack MechanicHeavy Equipment Field Tech (Heavy Equipment Field Technician)Fuels Helper (Air Force 2F011)Gas Turbine Mechanical Systems Maintainer (Navy 003698)TrucksmithBrake MechanicAviation Support Equipment Technician (Navy AS)Fuels Craftsman (Air Force 2F071)Auxiliary Equipment Technician (Navy 001519)Endless Track Vehicle MechanicTorpedoman's Mate (Navy TM)Special Warfare Boat Operator (Navy SB)Material Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)Logging Equipment MechanicEquipment MechanicConstruction Equipment OverhaulerBoatswain's Mate (Coast Guard BM)Shop Technician (Shop Tech)Dinkey MechanicForklift MechanicArmament Weapons Support Equipment Technician (Navy D07A)Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force 2T331)Machinist's Mate, Nuclear Power (Navy MMN)Hydraulic Auto Jack MechanicAutomotive Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army 915A)Field TechnicianEquipment Mechanic SpecialistGround Support Equipment MechanicArmament Systems Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army 913A)Hoist MechanicMultiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)/High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Crewmember (Army 13M)Shovel MechanicMechanic, Endless Track VehicleForklift TechnicianSmall Arms/Towed Artillery Repairer (Army 91F)Machinist (Marine Corps 2161)