Farm Equipment Mechanics Description OES Code: 853210 Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems. Include repairers of dairy equipment. Exclude Engine Specialists. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: $7.00 minimum – $11.55 New, experienced: $9.50 minimum – $17.50 3 yrs+ experience: $12.50 minimum – $20.50 Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Farm equipment mechanics often work overtime and are paid time and one-half. Working hours for mechanics vary. The usual workweek is 44 hours, which includes 4 hours on Saturday. During planting and harvesting seasons, mechanics often work 6 to 7 days a week; 10 to 12 hours daily. In winter, mechanics may work less than 40 hours a week. Farm equipment mechanics who work for manufacturers have more regular hours. Most repair shops and farm equipment manufacturers offer fringe benefits, such as profit sharing, paid holidays, vacation, retirement, and various health insurance plans. Some employees are provided with a company vehicle for transportation. Very few mechanics belong to labor unions. Employment Trends Employment 1996 2,000 Projected Employment 2006 2,130 Growth Rate 1996-2006 6.5% Openings due to Separations 460 Employment Trends by California County Among factors that contribute to growth and demand for services of farm equipment mechanics are the development of more technically advanced farm equipment, requiring greater maintenance, and the necessity that equipment be consistently trouble-free for maximum efficiency. In addition, sales through dealerships of smaller and less complex machinery, such as lawn and garden equipment, have increased considerably during the past decade and the trend is expected to continue. More mechanics will therefore be needed to service this additional equipment; however, a shortage of qualified mechanics exist. Many openings will also arise each year as experienced mechanics retire, die, or transfer to other occupations. Opportunities are best for applicants who have had formal training on the practical and theoretical aspects of agricultural mechanics. Some openings exist for mechanics who have lived and worked on farms, know how to operate and repair farm machinery, and are willing to take additional training. The demand for skilled mechanics is usually greatest during the summer planting and harvesting seasons. During winter demand is lessened. Advancement Farm equipment mechanics may advance to shop supervisor or dealership managers. They may also become service representatives, salespeople, or distributors. Advancement to supervisor and sales positions often requires further education in management or sales. Enterprising mechanics can also open their own repair shops and become self-employed. Getting the Job & Other Information Farm equipment mechanics often find work through word-of-mouth or direct application to farm equipment dealers, independent repair shops, shops on large farms, and service departments of farm equipment wholesalers and manufacturers. Other sources of job leads include schools which operate job placement centers for their students, newspaper ads, and trade publications. Mechanics should also register for work at the California Employment Development Department. Employment is concentrated in small cities, non-metropolitan areas, and rural fringes of metropolitan areas. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Farmworker Occupations #225 Related Occupation: Automobile Mechanics #24, Maintenance Mechanics #136, Bus & Truck Mechanics #251 Training: California State Training Inventory © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Employers prefer high school graduates who have an aptitude for mechanical work. High school courses should include machine shop, blueprint reading, electricity, electronics, hydraulics, welding and small engine repair. Some farm equipment mechanics start as helpers or trainees and learn the trade on the job by assisting qualified mechanics. This group includes mechanics who enter this occupation from related occupations such as farmers, farm laborers, heavy equipment mechanic, and auto and air conditioning mechanic. At least two years of on-the-job training are usually necessary for a mechanic to do most types of repair work. Additional training and experience are required for highly specialized repair and overhaul jobs. The length of training varies with individual ability and experience. Many mechanics who now enter this occupation have had vocational training in rural high schools, technical training in two-year junior and technical colleges, or in the Armed Forces. Many colleges and universities offer full time programs in mechanical technology; some two-year colleges offer part time and evening programs. Farm equipment manufacturers also offer training courses at plant training facilities. Skills & Other Requirements Farm Equipment Mechanics adjust, maintain, repair, and overhaul farm vehicles, equipment, and machinery such as tractors, harvesters, combines, balers, tillage equipment, corn pickers, crop driers and other mechanized electrically powered or motor-driven equipment. In addition, they repair smaller lawn and garden tractors used by homeowners, recreation facilities, and industry. They also repair and install plumbing, irrigation and electrical systems, and construct or repair buildings and structures on farms. Mechanics who work for manufacturers of farm and power equipment and dealerships assemble, erect, test, calibrate, and adjust equipment. Farm Mechanics may also disassemble for analysis defective equipment returned to manufacturers. Some experienced mechanics work as technicians for manufacturers and assist in research and development of new machinery. The work is usually performed on farms, in the shops of farm equipment dealers or wholesalers, or in an independent repair establishment. In large establishments, mechanics may specialize. They may work only on engine tune-up, engine overhaul, hydraulic or electrical systems or similar specialties. Sometimes they work only on one kind of equipment, such as combines or haybalers and may be designated according to the equipment maintained. Farm equipment mechanics spend much of their time performing preventive maintenance as well as repairing and adjusting malfunctioning equipment. They examine visually, listen to, and observe equipment and machinery parts while they are in operation to detect malfunctioning or defective units. They dismantle defective parts or components, make necessary repairs, replace worn or dented parts, and periodically clean and lubricate parts, reassemble machinery and equipment. They use a variety of handtools, such as wrenches and micrometers; power tools, such as drill presses, lathes, milling machines, grinders, and saws; and welding equipment. They also use precision measuring instruments and complex testing equipment to measure engine performance, tune engines, find worn or leaking parts, or to test electrical equipment and circuits. In assembling and erecting new equipment or maintaining and repairing equipment mechanics follow blueprints, sketches, diagrams, lubrication charts, operation manuals, and other specifications. They often use catalogs to order replacement parts. Working Conditions During planting and harvesting seasons, farm equipment mechanics may travel long distances to farms, and work in all kinds of weather conditions in the field, to make emergency repairs. They should be able to lift, climb, stoop, and work in cramped quarters. Physical requirements include good general health, normal or corrected vision, good eye-and- hand coordination, manual and finger dexterity. Safety helmets, goggles, shoes, and other protective devices are required to reduce the risk of accidents. Repair work is relatively safe; however, care must be used to avoid injuries from heavy parts supported by jacks and hoists; engine burns, and cuts from handling tools and machinery with sharp edges. Employers provide power tools and test equipment; mechanics must often furnish their own basic tools which cost up to $3,000. Uniforms may also be required, but employers furnish uniforms and laundry service. Mechanics work alone or with other workers or trainees. They should be self-reliant and be able to work without direct supervision.