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72401.00 – 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. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Agricultural equipment technician
  • Construction equipment mechanic
  • Diesel mechanic - heavy equipment
  • Farm equipment mechanic
  • Heavy equipment mechanic
  • Heavy mobile logging equipment mechanic
  • Heavy mobile mining equipment mechanic
  • Heavy-duty equipment mechanic apprentice
  • Heavy-duty equipment technician
  • Locomotive mechanic
  • Tractor mechanic

Core competencies

  • Repairing and Troubleshooting to identify the causes of malfunctions through systematic troubleshooting processes, such as inspecting components, testing systems and analyzing diagnostic data
  • Equipment and Tool Selection, and Setting Up to perform repairs, maintenance or adjustments on a wide range of heavy machinery by following specifications and requirements of different equipment types and by knowing which tools and methods are suitable for each task
  • Control of Settings to precisely adjust machine controls and settings to ensure optimal performance and safety
  • Multi-Limb Coordination to precisely execute complex manoeuvres, such as coordinating tool manipulation with multi-limbs enabling fast and accurate repairs of hydraulic systems
  • Attention to Detail to meticulously inspect and troubleshoot complex machinery, ensuring precision in diagnostics, repairs and part installations
  • Knowledge in Mechanics and Machinery to comprehend how engines, transmissions, hydraulic systems, braking systems and other critical components function of heavy equipment

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.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
  • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
  • 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.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

72 – Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers

Sub-major group

724 – Technical maintenance trades

Minor group

7240 – Machinery and transportation equipment mechanics (except motor vehicles)

Unit group

72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

Occupational profile

72401.00 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.