What Is a Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic and How to Become One

A mobile heavy equipment mechanic repairs and maintains large machinery, including bulldozers, hydraulics, and mobile mechanical equipment. As a mobile heavy equipment mechanic, your responsibilities include testing equipment, analyzing malfunctions, and using manual and electrical tools to fix broken parts. You may also assemble gear systems, fit bearings, weld broken parts, fabricate parts from sheet metal, and keep machines clean and functioning up to industry standards. You typically find mobile heavy equipment mechanics in the construction and mining industries.

There are no specific educational requirements to become a mobile heavy equipment mechanic, but some employers prefer candidates who have completed a mechanics training program at a vocational school or earned an associate degree in heavy equipment mechanics. Obtain an entry-level job doing routine maintenance on large machinery to gain experience in the field. Once you are confident working on a variety of equipment, seek mobile heavy equipment mechanic positions.

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics may choose to obtain additional accreditations and certification through training and seminars, which may help them advance in their field. Talented and diligent mobile heavy equipment mechanics may be promoted to supervisor or manager positions in their repair shop, or they may cultivate a good customer base and be able to open up their own shop. Another career option is to become a teacher or trainer in a postsecondary mechanics program and help future mobile heavy equipment mechanics launch their careers.