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Occupation Description

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems. Exclude "Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists".

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State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location	Pay Period	2008
		10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
United States	Hourly	$10.28	$12.54	$15.32	$18.61	$22.37
	Yearly	$21,400	$26,100	$31,900	$38,700	$46,500
South Carolina	Hourly	$10.05	$12.77	$14.43	$16.63	$18.82
	Yearly	$20,900	$26,600	$30,000	$34,600	$39,100

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: South Carolina Wage Information

State and National Trends

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
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Employment Trends by Industry and Occupation

National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: South Carolina Employment Security Commission

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Farm Equipment Mechanics.

Knowledge:

• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Skills:

• Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
• Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Abilities:

• Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
• Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Farm Equipment Mechanics.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Farm Equipment Mechanics.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Calculate bills according to record of repairs made, labor time, and parts used.
• Clean and lubricate parts.
• Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
• Drive trucks to haul tools and equipment for on-site repair of large machinery.
• Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
• Fabricate new metal parts, using drill presses, engine lathes, and other machine tools.
• Install and repair agricultural irrigation, plumbing, and sprinkler systems.
• Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
• Reassemble machines and equipment following repair; test operation; and make adjustments as necessary.
• Record details of repairs made and parts used.
• Repair bent or torn sheet metal.
• Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.
• Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
• Tune or overhaul engines.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Detailed Work Activities:

• adhere to safety procedures
• adjust or set mechanical controls or components
• align or adjust clearances of vehicle body parts or components
• assemble and install pipe sections, fittings, or plumbing fixtures
• assemble, dismantle, or reassemble equipment or machinery
• conduct tests to locate mechanical system malfunction
• determine installation, service, or repair needed
• diagnose malfunctioning vehicle systems
• diagnose mechanical problems in machinery or equipment
• drive automobile, van, or light truck
• examine vehicle to detect malfunctions, damage, or maintenance needed
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• follow vehicle repair procedures
• identify base metals for welding
• inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
• lubricate machinery, equipment, or parts
• maintain or repair cargo or passenger vehicle
• maintain or repair farm vehicles, machinery, or mechanical implements
• maintain or repair small engines
• maintain repair records
• maintain welding machines or equipment
• move or fit heavy objects
• observe or listen to machinery or equipment operation to detect malfunctions
• operate crane in construction, manufacturing or repair setting
• operate tractor with accessories or attachments
• operate vehicle engine electrical system test equipment
• operate woodworking equipment/machinery
• overhaul vehicle major operating units, such as engines or transmissions
• perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
• read blueprints
• read schematics
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
• repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
• repair sheet metal products
• service vehicle with water, fuel, or oil
• set up and operate variety of machine tools
• test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
• test mechanical products or equipment
• test operate vehicles before or after repair
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use acetylene welding/cutting torch
• use arc welding equipment
• use basic plumbing techniques
• use combination welding procedures
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use engine diagnostic equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use knowledge of metric system
• use knowledge of welding filler rod types
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Source: Occupational Information Network: Farm Equipment Mechanics.

Tools and Technology

No Tools and Technology information is available for the selected occupation. Try the Tools and Technology section to view other occupations with Tools and Technology information.

Education and Training

Occupation: Farm Equipment Mechanics
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Long-term on-the-job training
Related Instructional Programs:

• Agricultural Mechanics and Equipment/Machine Technology
• Agricultural Mechanization, General
• Agricultural Mechanization, Other
• Agricultural Power Machinery Operation

WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://www.workforcesouthcarolina.com/provider/

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

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Web Resources

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• AFV Technician, National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
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• Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers, Job Futures
• Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, CareerZone
• Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, California Occupational Guide
• Diesel Service Technicians and Mechanics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians and Mechanics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage, CareerZone
• Motorboat Mechanics, Learn More Resource Center
• Parts Specialist, National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
• Small Engine Mechanics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
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• Truck Technician, National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation