Diesel Techs and Mechanics: need some advice

THIS IS FOR ANYONE INVOLVED WITH ANY DIESEL REPAIR AT ALL

I need some help and I know this is a lot to read, so I have the basic questions at the beginning of each paragraph. I just really need advice…

Well I finished automotive school last spring and I just started diesel (finished electrical and just started heating, cooling, and a/c) I’m not very familiar with any of it really, I’m trying to get information on what the work is like and what the job asks for... so I am asking if anyone is/was in the field so I could see how it was...

What's the work like?
All I have really heard is "everything is so big that you need a crane to work on just about anything" and "its so filthy you wont like it" this coming from automotive techs. On the other side I've heard "there’s good money in it" ...I don’t know what to believe or take seriously and I am basically trying it out in school to see if I like it. I know I like semis and tractors and other heavy equipment, it’s interesting to me, but I don’t know if I will like working on them like I do cars.

How's the industry right now?
I know for automotive its kind of hard right now trying to get a job (I’ve applied at so many places and I haven’t been hired, interviews but they chose someone else with experience) and if you get into the flat rate you have to be quick and know what you're doing, I’ve also been told I am an idiot or I’m crazy for going into automotive because it doesn't pay too good and it's so slow now. Well being fresh out of school with no experience in the field its a little hard to get a job anywhere really.. and I only know how fast I am by working on my own or friend's/family cars... but that’s completely different, I’m not on a schedule and I’m more into getting it done right. So what’s it like for diesel? Any flat rate or how does it pay?

What do you recommend?
I’m going to try to get in with the city when I graduate so I can go either way, automotive or diesel, but what would you suggest for a new guy? Where should I look to get a job (dealer, fleet... etc)

What do your toolboxes look like? (What tools do you have?)
What is really needed? I am set up for automotive right now, so what do you recommend? is a 3/4 impact and 3/4 set of hand tools really needed, I know it depends what you are working on/what type of diesel you are in...

I have 3/8 and 1/2 IR TiMax guns with snap-on 3/8 impact sockets (shallow/ deep/shallow swivel in standard/metric) 5/16-1" 8-24mm
Craftsman sockets up to 1-1/4 and 27mm (1/4, 3/8, 1/2)
Craftsman wrenches 1/4-1" 7-24mm

Thank you for looking, I hope to get some much needed info.
Addison

Well I really enjoy the work it's very taxing on your body compared to automotive though you do need a crane or overhead hoist for quite a few jobs.. Can't say much for the industry I've been at my work for the past 7 years and with only one more tech and 45 vehicles we stay pretty busy.. My box has grown considerably it all depends on where you work and what tools they provide for you.. Most HD shops will provide you with a 1" impact and sockets, but in my experience they're usually called "man killers" and for good reason change tires on rigs all day and let me know how your back feels... As far as common tools I have wrenches up to 2" and 32mm a lot of specialty stuff but it's all stuff you can acquire rather slowly I just have used the motto that if I ever borrow a tool I buy it.. The work is very dirty but what part of being a mechanic isn't I really enjoy the HD field that's about all I've got for ya hope it helps

Chris

Black89LX said:

Well I finished automotive school last spring and I just started diesel (finished electrical and just started heating, cooling, and a/c) I’m not very familiar with any of it really, I’m trying to get information on what the work is like and what the job asks for... so I am asking if anyone is/was in the field so I could see how it was...

What's the work like?
All I have really heard is "everything is so big that you need a crane to work on just about anything" and "its so filthy you wont like it" this coming from automotive techs. On the other side I've heard "there’s good money in it" ...I don’t know what to believe or take seriously and I am basically trying it out in school to see if I like it. I know I like semis and tractors and other heavy equipment, it’s interesting to me, but I don’t know if I will like working on them like I do cars.

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Out of curiosity what school are you going are you attending?
-Subscribed because in same situation except i've never been told i am lazy or stupid on the jobsite its just usually by the gf.

I highly recommend this carreer I love my work , yes the work is heavyer than automotive and many times dirtyer. you do need a crane for many jobs and you will find the jobs take alot longer for example a rad on a d8 may take a couple of days to complete where as a rad job on a car may take only 2 hours . as far as tools are concerned you should be fine with your basics to start slowly build your tool collection nobody expect a guy to have every tool and know how to do all the jobs fresh out of school so dont sweat that . you are making the right choice as far as I am concerned stay away from automotive. as far as fleet or retail shop i would lean toward fleet because your pay cheque doesnt depend on the customer comming through the door
good luck to you

Diesel industry is great, as always there's pro's and con's. The work is extremely taxing on the body, I'm a pretty big guy, 6'1 and 250 lbs and i feel like i get pushed to the limits quite a bit. the difference in automotive and commercial is that people can do without their Sunday cruiser, in diesel when the machines move money is made, if it sits its a loss and if its a loss you are gonna hear about it. I have been layed out in the mud and had a grumpy ******* stand over me and snap his fingers saying he has dirt to move.
You have to do the heavy work because it is a right of passage, but do not make it your specialty. Learn your electrical troubleshooting and get more than friendly with hydraulics. The best thing you can do for yourself is forget all the **** that goes with it and have a solid foundation of how things work and why, and be ok with getting screwed every once in a while just take it as a life lesson.

Black89LX said:

THIS IS FOR ANYONE INVOLVED WITH ANY DIESEL REPAIR AT ALL

I need some help and I know this is a lot to read, so I have the basic questions at the beginning of each paragraph. I just really need advice…

Well I finished automotive school last spring and I just started diesel (finished electrical and just started heating, cooling, and a/c) I’m not very familiar with any of it really, I’m trying to get information on what the work is like and what the job asks for... so I am asking if anyone is/was in the field so I could see how it was...

What's the work like?
All I have really heard is "everything is so big that you need a crane to work on just about anything" and "its so filthy you wont like it" this coming from automotive techs. On the other side I've heard "there’s good money in it" ...I don’t know what to believe or take seriously and I am basically trying it out in school to see if I like it. I know I like semis and tractors and other heavy equipment, it’s interesting to me, but I don’t know if I will like working on them like I do cars.


If your working on heavy equipment, then yes, you'll probably need a crane to do most jobs. Any decent shop should have an overhead crane and most or all of the field techs have cranes on their field trucks. I'm second generation equipment mechanic, my father did it for 25 years and is now in management because he was tired of beating his body up. You can work your way into management, but you have to have managing skills (something quite a few people don't have). It's no doubt dirty work, but, its honest work for honest pay.

Being a mechanic is like any other manual labor job, except you have you use your brain as much as you do your body. I've been told many a time by friends that are engineers that I could make double the money with the skills that are required to be a GOOD tech (one that fully understands how and why systems work and can properly and accurately diagnose problems. Then again, I don't think I could deal with sitting in an office all day.

How's the industry right now?
I know for automotive its kind of hard right now trying to get a job (I’ve applied at so many places and I haven’t been hired, interviews but they chose someone else with experience) and if you get into the flat rate you have to be quick and know what you're doing, I’ve also been told I am an idiot or I’m crazy for going into automotive because it doesn't pay too good and it's so slow now. Well being fresh out of school with no experience in the field its a little hard to get a job anywhere really.. and I only know how fast I am by working on my own or friend's/family cars... but that’s completely different, I’m not on a schedule and I’m more into getting it done right. So what’s it like for diesel? Any flat rate or how does it pay?


I can't comment on over the road semis. I work on housing and construction related equipment, (forklifts, mini skid steers, mini excavators, etc) and its been down for the last couple years (due to housing and other construction being down. Our shop went from 10 shop techs to 4. It's hard for a lot of people to get jobs, even for people with experience.

Generally equipment dealers and other shops are hourly pay from what I've seen, but you still gotta bust *** and get **** done. I work for a dealership and they generally go by the manufacturers recommendations for labor time but usually tack on some extra time to be safe. You also aren't working on Tom, ****, or Jane's personal equipment. Its generally businesses that have fleets or multiple machines and for the most part they just want it done as quick as possible so they can get it back out and working for them.

Pay is pretty decent, a well seasoned tech can make upwards of $30/hour or more in the Seattle area, less in other more rural areas probably.

What do you recommend?
I’m going to try to get in with the city when I graduate so I can go either way, automotive or diesel, but what would you suggest for a new guy? Where should I look to get a job (dealer, fleet... etc)

You may have better chances with a 2 year associates degree, but for the most part around here the only time the city is hiring is when someone retires. And if you do get hired you start at the bottom working graveyard shift. If you got the goods and the talent, most shops with decent management should see the potential and will hire you and mold you into what they want. I think for the most part the best thing to do is walk into dealers or shops in your area and turn in your resume to the service manager or service supervisor. They're always looking for good techs, always.

What do your toolboxes look like? (What tools do you have?)
What is really needed? I am set up for automotive right now, so what do you recommend? is a 3/4 impact and 3/4 set of hand tools really needed, I know it depends what you are working on/what type of diesel you are in...

My tools go up to 3/4 drive and up to 1 5/8 wrenches and sockets. Bigger stuff the shop should provide. Torque wrenches up to 250 ft/lbs. Multimeter, compression tester, and other diagnostic tools too. A lot of newer equipment has onboard diagnostics with proprietary software that the shop should supply. Just starting out I had probably pretty close to the same setup you have. Plan on spending 10% of your check on tools for quite a while. I've been doing it for 6 years and I'm still buying tools. Then again, I usually buy it if I need it more than twice (and sometimes even if I don't) and I have expensive tastes.

I have 3/8 and 1/2 IR TiMax guns with snap-on 3/8 impact sockets (shallow/ deep/shallow swivel in standard/metric) 5/16-1" 8-24mm
Craftsman sockets up to 1-1/4 and 27mm (1/4, 3/8, 1/2)
Craftsman wrenches 1/4-1" 7-24mm

Thank you for looking, I hope to get some much needed info.
Addison

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See text in bold

My best advice would be work hard, no matter what the deadline dont leave your employer standed even if it takes 2 days of straight through work to get there equipment out on time and youll make a modest living with alot of headaches ,and i actually like it sounds wierd , just works for me

Black89LX said:

What's the work like?
All I have really heard is "everything is so big that you need a crane to work on just about anything" and "its so filthy you wont like it" this coming from automotive techs. On the other side I've heard "there’s good money in it" ...I don’t know what to believe or take seriously and I am basically trying it out in school to see if I like it. I know I like semis and tractors and other heavy equipment, it’s interesting to me, but I don’t know if I will like working on them like I do cars.

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It's big, dirty, and there is good money in it. Really, it all depends on what you end up doing. Diesel work can be anything from field service work, to heavy equipment, OTR trucks, generators, hydraulics, etc. there is no one "diesel" field. It might be hard to get a job working on trucks if you don't have a CDL, but other fields might not require one (like a rental outfit that does manlifts and equipment).

How's the industry right now?
I know for automotive its kind of hard right now trying to get a job (I’ve applied at so many places and I haven’t been hired, interviews but they chose someone else with experience) and if you get into the flat rate you have to be quick and know what you're doing, I’ve also been told I am an idiot or I’m crazy for going into automotive because it doesn't pay too good and it's so slow now. Well being fresh out of school with no experience in the field its a little hard to get a job anywhere really.. and I only know how fast I am by working on my own or friend's/family cars... but that’s completely different, I’m not on a schedule and I’m more into getting it done right. So what’s it like for diesel? Any flat rate or how does it pay?

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I don't know about the rest of the US, but in Alaska, Diesel work pays better than automotive and it's easier to find a job. Most work is going to be hourly though there is occasional piece work (set price for the job). Wages generally start at $16/hr or so for apprentice level mechanics, and go up to $38/hr or more. I'm in the $30/hr range, but I work for a municipality and I only work four days a week and I'm home every night. If I was willing to travel or work on the slope, $38hr+ would be pretty easy to come by.

What do you recommend?
I’m going to try to get in with the city when I graduate so I can go either way, automotive or diesel, but what would you suggest for a new guy? Where should I look to get a job (dealer, fleet... etc)

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I started with a contractor that did military maintenance (HMMWV, HEMTT, generators, etc), moved onto field service with a rental company, back to military hardware (Strykers), then to a Municipality. If I was starting out, I'd try to find a job with a rental company, as most of them offer dealer level training, and it's a good way to learn hydraulics (lots of manlifts and equipment). If you have any sort of background in automotive troubleshooting, most of the rest should be pretty simple (technology in heavy trucks are a couple years behind automotive, and equipment is a couple years behind heavy trucks).

What do your toolboxes look like? (What tools do you have?)
What is really needed? I am set up for automotive right now, so what do you recommend? is a 3/4 impact and 3/4 set of hand tools really needed, I know it depends what you are working on/what type of diesel you are in...

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I've got a full three bay Macsimizer with a three bay top chest, and two roll carts, but I've been doing this for a while now. When I worked for a rental company I worked mostly out of a small two bay workstation in the shop, and a road chest and a hand box in the truck. I had a 3/4" set that moved between the truck and the shop.

I have 3/8 and 1/2 IR TiMax guns with snap-on 3/8 impact sockets (shallow/ deep/shallow swivel in standard/metric) 5/16-1" 8-24mm
Craftsman sockets up to 1-1/4 and 27mm (1/4, 3/8, 1/2)
Craftsman wrenches 1/4-1" 7-24mm

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Sounds like a good start, but wrenches up to 1 1/2 are needed, and up to 2" is advisable. I've got up through 2 5/8", and sockets through 2 1/2" in 3/4" drive and 3 1/2" in 1" drive. Most shops provide sockets for anything over 3/4" drive, and usually you will use a socket before you use a wrench unless you are doing hydraulics.

Well first i'd like to wish you good luck in whichever career you choose , just rememeber to do the best you can. Myself im a diesel tech 1st and I would'nt have it any other way .There are many reasons but mainly YOU WILL BE IN DEMAND IF YOU ARE HONEST AND REPAIR YOUR CUSTOMERS VEHICLES RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.Most OTR truckers depend on there trucks to run and be safe. Every time there down they are loosing money ,Dump trucks alot of owner operators have only one or two trucks they need to run all the time any down time to these guys kills them.

If you become well known in your area you will have unlimitied job availability through word of mouth alone. Especially in construction heavy areas. you will have to work hard ,in the elements and alot of times the working conditions are not the best.

Good auto techs are a dime a dozen Great ones are few an far between . Good diesel techs are few and far between and great ones even are more sparse. Again why I picked heady duty repairs Im in demand ! I used to work at a international dealership where I gained most of my working skills but ive since switched to a working for major transit system for better benefits and stability. I've been in the field for 16 years or so and have just recently made the switch to supervision.

As for your toolbox it will all depend on what the company you choose to work for provides you and youll need to get the rest of the tools needed . I read above if you need to borrow it then you probably should buy it thats great advice. If your working as a heavy duty tech I would start with a minimum Craftsman 41 inch wide box and you stick with it you will outgrow it I currently have a Snap On krl1001 with top cabinet and full size locker which is stuffed . You'll find that the faster you can do the work the better jobs you will recieve .So it goes hand in hand the tools you'll need to be fast will have to be bought. One way I looked at tools was its sort of like a kid going to college to be a dentist or doctor the school costs alot more then most technical colleges but you will pay in the end for your education through the tools you buy over time.

sorry for the long reply im half asleep !

I'll try not to ramble too much, here, and maybe some of it'll help ya......
For starters, I don't consider myself to be a true Diesel Tech -- I don't specialize in the engines. I'm in machinery which covers all brands of industrial power units (engines) I deal with Duetz, JD, Cummins, Cat, Perkins, even Hatz, Kubota, Isuzu -- you name it. The equipment is mostly mounted on commercial truck chassis - so I also get to deal with IH, Sterling, Freightliner, Mack, etc.....I do the work on the machinery, so I'm pretty specialized - lots of hydrualic / electrical / air system / blowers / pumps and other stuff. If I have touble with a power unit, I only go through the basics before calling the brand specific tech.....But here's my take on your questions.....

Lots of stuff IS big - but they usually supply you with tools to deal with it - and shop truck with a crane. Sometimes It's easier to pull off a 1500 pound component with a crane than it is to get an alternator off a Honda.
One thing I see in the truck chassis is they are packing more and more **** inot them, and (obviuosly it's everywhere) more computerized stuff.
Work conditions depend on who you work for. The city shop idea is great for that aspect. Depending on the entity (state /town / county) they can have everything a tech could want - lifts, shop equipment, etc. I love going to local gov'ts to work on the machines cause they always have the most relaxed atmosphere / low pressure attitude (one state DOT tech told me "it's better than welfare - they give ya uniforms!).
I have other contractor customers with hundreds of thousands worth of equipement that don't even have a shop. Everything is fixxed in thier gravel equipment yard or on the jobsites (middle of the might in pouring rain). Thier hours generally **** - they are picking up parts from my shop at 4 in the afternoon and whining that the have to work through till the machine is running again to be back on the job at 7am the next morning. The other side of that, though, is they are doing more with less - they get the job done when that same job at commercial shop would be put in the wiating line and not get fixxed for a good while...and the tech that works those minor miracles can collect a nice paycheck for putting up with all that ****.

Generally, I'd say the larger the facility / fleet, the better they will be about having a good schedule and good facilities to work in....but there's no garuntees....

As for the work being stable - I do generally think the equipment / trucks is slightly less affected by the economic changes. In my work, we deal with environmental equipment, so the whole crash in the econonomy had really no effect on us. It actaully hurt our biggest customers most when big construction / rehab projects got scaled down to save money - that turned big jobs they could make money on into small jobs not worth doing - the extra small jobs ended being a gain for our smaller "one truck" customers -- no change for us. But even at that, the talk I hear around our area sounds like anything can happen - one story was a truck local dealer closed and never told thier shop - the guys all showed of for work one Monday to find the building locked up and customers hauling off thier trucks. Again, anything can happen.....but if your good, you can allways find work.

Flat-rate work is fine if you get into that type of work. Personaly, I had too any obligations to afford to take a chance on it dropping out even though I was promised "that never happens" when I considered a job in a truck stop shop prior to the one I have now. I'm glad I stayed hourly - it's worked for me - but you have to make that decision on your own.

If your leaning towards Diesel specificly, or considering automotive work, I think you may just have to get out and try it - you won't realy know how you'll do till then.

Man, I took too long to type out my post Lots of good perspectives in here.

Well I've been working on trucks since about 2003,I like it but I'm also considering moving over to the Heavy Equipment side. I just recently went to actual diesel school just so I could get the degree and have more opportunities since everyone wants that piece of parer these days.

I work for a dry bulk fleet and I had to start out working on trailers even though I was experienced. Most place have a designated trailer guy and mine is no exception but they make the new guys do it as well. Don't be surprised if you start out just working on trailers, changing tires, brakes, basic PM stuff etc. etc. It does **** but it won't last forever.

We don't do flat rate, you just log your time and job description and put it into the computer. They actually encourage you to look for stuff to fix to keep you busy. I work on mostly Volvos so I would encourage you to stay away from Volvo fleets/dealerships if you hate doing electrical work because these trucks are electrical nightmares.

I have a piece of **** craftsman box and for the most part, you don't see a lot of big fancy snappy boxes around here in diesel (local Dobbs tire is full of em though ). Most specialty stuff and 1 inch plus stuff is provided by your employer.

Work has been real steady here and pay generally starts at about $20-$30 an hour. One thing I hate about my shop is we don't do any real big rebuilds. ****** goes out, we put in a ******, motor goes out and it either gets sent to Volvo or Cummins or we put in a new one (which is idiotic) .

I would advise finding a fleet over a dealership and just remember that you'll be a mule for awhile. Good luck.

**I'd type more but it's bedtime.

wow, thanks for the replies! this is really the first time I've had multiple replies from guys wanting to help on a forum... any other time (other sites) its always ********

but I left out my complete list of tools because I figured it applied more to automotive... I have all Snap-on diagnostics... I have an Ethos, Snap-on's 586 Automotive Multimeter, Vacuum Gauge, Compression Gauge, Cylinder Leakage Tester, and Fuel Pressure Gauge, I know they dont really apply to Diesel so I left them out of the original post. Cylinder Leakage Tester can be used along with the Vacuum Gauge and Multimeter though..

I go to Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, they just added on to there automotive program to incorporate Diesel, they have two international 4300s ('03 and '06) and an '03 freightliner cl120 with an mbe4000... but anyway, I get a discount with Snap-on so I'm using it when I can.

What would be a must have Snap-on tool? besides a Diesel Compression Gauge... (its on the list, lol)

wrencheshurt said:

You have to do the heavy work because it is a right of passage, but do not make it your specialty. Learn your electrical troubleshooting and get more than friendly with hydraulics. The best thing you can do for yourself is forget all the **** that goes with it and have a solid foundation of how things work and why, and be ok with getting screwed every once in a while just take it as a life lesson.

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Quoted for emphasis. If you are any good at electrical, hydraulics is pretty easy to pick up. If you are good at electrical and hydraulics, you are among the most valuable person in the shop. If you can explain how something works, you can easily figure out why it's not working. A solid foundation in the basics is 90% of troubleshooting. Most problems are simple fixes, it's just a matter of figuring out why it's broken.

vc-onthepc said:

If you become well known in your area you will have unlimitied job availability through word of mouth alone. Especially in construction heavy areas. you will have to work hard ,in the elements and alot of times the working conditions are not the best.

Good auto techs are a dime a dozen Great ones are few an far between . Good diesel techs are few and far between and great ones even are more sparse.

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Again, quoted for emphasis. When I left the rental company, several customers started going to other shops because I was no longer available to work on their equipment. I had several job offers the day that I gave notice, and they are still standing job offers if I decide I want them. The industry is smaller than you think, even in large cities, and once you establish a reputation you are pretty much stuck with it, so make sure it's a good one.


Edit:

If you stick it out for a couple of years, you'll see just how small the industry is. I can easily name the five best diesel mechanics I've worked with, and tell you where they are working now, because I still talk to them. I could probably name 30-50 really good equipment mechanics I've worked with, and tell you where 90% of them are currently working.

Id say pretty much everything has been covered.
parts and tools are heavy, parts are extremely greasy and dirty, a black you cant hardly wash off, lots of special tools, and bigger everything, plus its alot harder on your body,

all of the above being said, I would MUCH RATHER work on heavy equipment and trucks then cars and pickups any day of the week

Black89LX said:

....but I left out my complete list of tools because I figured it applied more to automotive... I have all Snap-on diagnostics... I have an Ethos, Snap-on's 586 Automotive Multimeter, Vacuum Gauge, Compression Gauge, Cylinder Leakage Tester, and Fuel Pressure Gauge, I know they dont really apply to Diesel so I left them out of the original post. Cylinder Leakage Tester can be used along with the Vacuum Gauge and Multimeter though..

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I've never worked in an automotive shop and I have every thing you listed except the Ethos.....
I hate to pay anyone to work on my vehicles and only do when I get serious diagnostic problems that you have to have a good scanner for.

Regardless of where you work, I think if you are really a Tech at heart you WILL buy specialty / job specific stuff to get jobs done for youself even if you never see that job in the company shop.....Heck, I have a Detroit Diesel rack / fuel system adjustement kit I've only ever used once for a friends boat! But he paid more me to go to the dock and do it than the tool cost and it was cheaper for him than the boatyard wanted = win for both of us!

I'm not a diesel tech but when I work on my own machinery I always seem to use angle wrenches, crowfoot wrenches, and crowfoot line wrenches. As a tech student you may already have these. Although you can get by with less expensive ones I would check the prices with your student discount against used prices on ebay. If you change career course later you are more likely to recover your investment with good quality tools.

Im an auto tech but diesel might be the better option. You have better chance of landing a good fleet/gov't job. But putting leaf springs in dumptrucks and changing tires all day is tough on the body.

Hey Guys
I figured I would chime in here, past 3 years I have been involved with this aspect of mechanical work. I am working for a bulk terminal company outside of Trenton NJ on the Pa side. I starrted out and still am a service tech. I mostly do preventitive maintance, ie. lube, oil and filters. However I have been moving more towards the "mechanic" end of it in the last year.
At this terminal all we mostly work on off road machinery, ie. 12-25 ton fork lifts, Cat, Komatsu, John Deere Loaders. A few excavators, shuttle lifts, man lifts, Mi-Jacks. We also have 3 Gottwald harbor cranes. and of course the terminal trucks typical Fords and Chevy 1/2 ton pick ups. We have gotten in 3 Volvo Rock dumps, and 2 big Cat dumps, sorry I can't remember the models.
Still a decent cross section of stuff to play with.

When there are no ships at this port we work 8 hour days, if a ship is in it can go to 12 hour shifts. The pay for me is 22.60 / hour. The mechanics are at 5.00 per hour more. I am in a union shop so there is senority involved. Since I'm rhe last hire into the shop I have had to deal with layoffs recently. Yes it ***** but we do get called back most times I am working longer than other departments.

We have a great group of guys and yes we have a BLAST!! Even the long days go real quick. We all team up and help each other out. And we really do watch out for one another.

I have a KRL 1023 and it is getting filled up pretty quick, but I have from 1/4 up 3/4 sockets in SAE and MM, standard and impact. Wrenches from 1/4 to 2 1/2 SAE and MM. And all the rest of the pliers, wire cutters and so on, torches and what not. Admittedly I don't need a lot of the smaller stuff and I love tools any way!

Yeah its dirty, tiresome, heavy at times but I love it and quite honestly I don't want to do anything else.

I hope this helps your decision. Oh by the way before I forget, our industry is picking up slowly, but picking up. We rely mostly on cargo ships that come in so it maybe a little different than the other guys on here.

Good Luck there is a lot of great advice on here.

Valsmere

Sorry for the double post but I did remember something else, we work both inside and out, so weather can be ugly.

Valsmere

ive been wrenching on const eq for 25+ years.
i started doing PM's and busting tires at a skid steer dealer back when electrical systems were simple and everything had mechanical linkage.
i think i've been lucky, i managed to keep up with the technology over the years, ive seen a LOT of "parts changers" over the years that couldnt keep up.

ive worked on everything from skid steers & mini excavators, scissor lifts, and manlifts up to 150ft, to machines that weigh in at over 100,000 lbs all at the dealership level.
ive worked as a shop mech, field, rebuild room, welder, service manager, and ive been back in the field again for the past 6 1/2 years.

most const eq that i know of uses proprietary software, it's only available to the dealer. "joes garage" down on the corner, for the most part, wont have a clue on how to diagnose electrical problems, or even determine if it's an electrical problem or something mechanical.
with emissions controls tightening up in the next couple years on smaller engines, EFI is coming to smaller loaders.

biggest issue i see with guys coming out of a tech school is NOT being able to take the knowledge they got from class and actually apply it to something besides what they worked on at school. hyd systems all work the same, as do electrical systems

as far as tools, i started out with a set of SK's up to 1 1/4", and added air tools, angle wrenches, crowsfoot as i needed them

as the equuipment got bigger, comb wrenches to 2", angle heads to 1 5/8" 3/4 dr impact, 3/4 dr sockets as needed to 2 1/4.
the largest dealer i worked for only required wrenches & sockets to 1 1/2", in 1/2 dr. they had everything else available.
it just sucked trying to figure out which one of the 18 mechanics had the socket i was looking for.

back when i started, wages sucked, i think i was making $4 -5 hr
depending on where you are, and the amount of available work, and how good you really are, you may see as low as $12/hr or as high as $35/hr

I'm currently a semester in so far in the John Deere Tech Program and that will give me a 2 yr associates degree. So far I like being around the heavy equipment and all. This is good info in here as far as tools/boxes and pay goes. Thanks for sharing.

Valsmere said:

Sorry for the double post but I did remember something else, we work both inside and out, so weather can be ugly.

Valsmere

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I'll second that idea.

Some stuff just doesn't fit / can't be done in a shop.

Hot in the summer, cold in the winter, wet when it rains.

hi, new to garage journal. I've been working on small to medium duty equipment at a local rental yard for 8 years. one thing i can say is you never have enough tools. There isn't anything in our yard i don't work on. From portable compressors up to 600 cfm, 6'' thrash pumps, portable generators up to 60kw, to construction air tools and small engines. I Started with your typical craftsman top and bottom and basic things. Now have a classic 78 with added on side cab that is FULL. The broad range of equipment makes it hard on the wallet.

I'm really glad I posted this... I have learned a lot from you guys and I really appreciate it.

RE: Crewchief888's comments - I'm often surprised how lacking some new guys are on the basics -- I get stuff in all the time that has metric / standard hardware mixxed up. I'm looking at something and thinking "hey, tech, you couldn't match up the 11 bazillion other standard grade 8 bolts on this machine - you had to stuff some metric bolt in the hole and the threads didn't feel funny?"

I'm also amazed by the number of Techs in general who seem to be unwilling to even attempt to trace a wiring diagram. If there's a fault, they want to replace a whole wiring harness. In 15 years working for a dealer I've only had one machine that I actaully resorted to changing a harness when I just could not verify any other component fault or find the damage / short....It always bugged me, but I musta been right, 'cause i never heard from them again on that problem....they also miss the most simple basics - make sure you have a good ground first! (local Xxxx Xxxxx guys replaced an engine in of my customers machines to find out the new one would'nt run either -- once the ECU got grounded it was fine.....customer was ready to burn the ** dealer down last time I talked to him).....Clean all the battery terminals, charge and recheck before you decide its bad batteries, a bad starter, or a bad alternator.....so many seem to jump to conclusions and just throw parts at a problem.

I'm also running into lots of fun diagnosing errors in all the new Can-Bus electronics they are using to operate the mcahinery. No longer a simple lever you pull to actuate a valve and make a function move -- now it's an electronic joy-stick and the hydrualic circuit has anywhere from 3 to 6 different elctric valves that have to operate to turn off one function to make more flow available to get the one you want on now to operate faster --- relays / diodes and pressure sensors to secuence all of this stuff together correctly......not to mention wireless remote controls....gone are the days when you could advise a customer over the phone to manualy shift a basic DO3 valve to put the boom back down when a switch went bad.....

Speaking about electronics you guys should see these Gottwald cranes, the computer systems are windows based... And not windows 7 either!
Keep in mind all the computer talk in this discussion will only become more integrated with these machines! Ugh!

Valsmere

Black89LX said:

THIS IS FOR ANYONE INVOLVED WITH ANY DIESEL REPAIR AT ALL

Thank you for looking, I hope to get some much needed info.
Addison

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You have gotten a wealth of good info here. I started in heavy equipment about '79, then graduated to Mercedes car and marine diesels. If you stay in heavy equipment, learn electical and hydraulic troubleshooting. If you go in for car diesels and trucks that are smaller than Class 6, get good with electronics and troubleshooting using a PC hook up.

BTW a good sideline is rebuilding injectors on MB diesels, yo can make 30/hr in your spare time if you do it right. Does require a little investment in advance to get a good pop tester, a couple unusual wrenches and a couple manuals and some spare parts, but it beats doin nothing on a snowy night when there's nothing on tv and you don't feel like working too hard.

truth be told been doing it for a few yrs now,over 15,so the so here is my take on it. dirty,filthy,backbreaking,and nerve racking also.tracing a electrical gremlin is a pain now. with all the new sensors,and the harness are not the easiest to follow. computers where they are on the vehicles whether it be a engine ecm,trans ecm or a cab ecm,are not user friendly.

now for the other side of it. pulling heads, turbos and everything else on class 8 diesel trucks are not like it used to be,now manufacturers put everything in the way,pull a fender off ti get to a doser valve or starter!

now for your body,back problems, knee problems, shoulders,fingers wrists,all ache after A while.

pay,*****,but some places are good.if you work for flat rate,you bust your chestnuts to make a good dollar,if it is hourly you make out ok,the place i work is hourly,but we use standard repair times,but they dont get rtoo picky if you go over it,unless it is 8 hrs to change a cab marker light or something stupid like that...

strelnik said:

You have gotten a wealth of good info here. I started in heavy equipment about '79, then graduated to Mercedes car and marine diesels. If you stay in heavy equipment, learn electical and hydraulic troubleshooting. If you go in for car diesels and trucks that are smaller than Class 6, get good with electronics and troubleshooting using a PC hook up.

BTW a good sideline is rebuilding injectors on MB diesels, yo can make 30/hr in your spare time if you do it right. Does require a little investment in advance to get a good pop tester, a couple unusual wrenches and a couple manuals and some spare parts, but it beats doin nothing on a snowy night when there's nothing on tv and you don't feel like working too hard.

Click to expand...

so you are in the marine side of it?
how do you like it? Is it a pain to work in the bilge?
just fill me in on what you do/have to do..

I ask because I have been around boats for a few years now and I have always been interested in working on them, just dont know how much of a pain it is to work on them

Everything Ive heard about marine stuff is that its good if conditions are just right - like getting with a commercial dock servicing pro fishing / freight boats. The local pleasure marinas fluctuate worse than automotive work 'cause people people doen "need" thier boat for daily life / transportation.

There must still be some railroad diesel shops somewhere.

Heavy Metal Doctor said:

RE: Crewchief888's comments - I'm often surprised how lacking some new guys are on the basics -- I get stuff in all the time that has metric / standard hardware mixxed up. I'm looking at something and thinking "hey, tech, you couldn't match up the 11 bazillion other standard grade 8 bolts on this machine - you had to stuff some metric bolt in the hole and the threads didn't feel funny?"

I'm also amazed by the number of Techs in general who seem to be unwilling to even attempt to trace a wiring diagram. If there's a fault, they want to replace a whole wiring harness. In 15 years working for a dealer I've only had one machine that I actaully resorted to changing a harness when I just could not verify any other component fault or find the damage / short....It always bugged me, but I musta been right, 'cause i never heard from them again on that problem....they also miss the most simple basics - make sure you have a good ground first! (local Xxxx Xxxxx guys replaced an engine in of my customers machines to find out the new one would'nt run either -- once the ECU got grounded it was fine.....customer was ready to burn the ** dealer down last time I talked to him).....Clean all the battery terminals, charge and recheck before you decide its bad batteries, a bad starter, or a bad alternator.....so many seem to jump to conclusions and just throw parts at a problem.

I'm also running into lots of fun diagnosing errors in all the new Can-Bus electronics they are using to operate the mcahinery. No longer a simple lever you pull to actuate a valve and make a function move -- now it's an electronic joy-stick and the hydrualic circuit has anywhere from 3 to 6 different elctric valves that have to operate to turn off one function to make more flow available to get the one you want on now to operate faster --- relays / diodes and pressure sensors to secuence all of this stuff together correctly......not to mention wireless remote controls....gone are the days when you could advise a customer over the phone to manualy shift a basic DO3 valve to put the boom back down when a switch went bad.....

Click to expand...

How I long for the day's of bang bang valves.

oh and in equipment at least, rainy day = "jiffy lube" day...everyone wants to get stuff in to be fixxed while they wait on a day when they can't work the eqiupement on the jobsites.....doesn't matter to them what your back-log is in the shop....

Rayzor 32 says
Im an auto tech but diesel might be the better option. You have better chance of landing a good fleet/gov't job. But putting leaf springs in dumptrucks and changing tires all day is tough on the body.

vc-onthepc says
If you become a great heavy duty tech you will never see this kind of work !!!!!!!!!!

low pay hard work

SpiderGearsMan said:

low pay hard work

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Well, you're half right. I have been working on heavy equipment for 7 years, mostly road construction but have been pipelining for 2 years now. Yes it is hard work but I have made a good living. The downside is I do a lot of traveling, I'm working 900 miles from home and haven't been home in over 6 months.

SpiderGearsMan said:

low pay hard work

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toolfreak said:

Well, you're half right. I have been working on heavy equipment for 7 years, mostly road construction but have been pipelining for 2 years now. Yes it is hard work but I have made a good living. The downside is I do a lot of traveling, I'm working 900 miles from home and haven't been home in over 6 months.

Click to expand...

i make a pretty good living working on const eq. but i also bust my *** in all kinds of weather doing it.
matter of fact i'm looing at a fun filled day tomorrow, rain/snow mix, and below freezing temps overnight, low 40's for a hi tomorrow.

yeah

crewchief888 said:

i make a pretty good living working on const eq. but i also bust my *** in all kinds of weather doing it.
matter of fact i'm looing at a fun filled day tomorrow, rain/snow mix, and below freezing temps overnight, low 40's for a hi tomorrow.

yeah

Click to expand...

I hate working in the mud, it rained last night and all day so I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. It still beats the hell out of working in sub zero temps trying to work when your hands are numb.

Well, I just found this site it is seems to be a great site. Like one post I read not much B.S. just honest talk.

I wanted to put in my two cents because I have also been in this prediciment. I graduated from NADC in Nashville with both Auto and Diesel Certs. It took me awhile to decide but I went Diesel and have never looked back.
I have been a Diesel tech for 10 years in the oilfiled section. Everyone is right! Most things are much much bigger and heavier. But on that note I must diverage and tell a story. Last year I went on a job in Port Harcourt Nigeria to swap out two 7,000 lbs pumps on a drill rig. Sounds easy enough. But the part that puts the twist in it was that the pumps were in an enclosed room. We removed the pumps by cutting a hole in the bulkhead and using 10 ton chain hoist to "walk" the pumps thru the hole we cut 20 ft away.
The reason to I tell the story is because I never had the feeling when working on cars that I had that day after we finished the job and ran the unit.
Not to mention in my 10 years I have worked in Nizhnevartosk Russia, Nigeria, Malabo E.G. and I am set to leave in the next few weeks to Las Palmas Spain in the Canary Islands. No auto tech can say that.
So stick to your guns and go for it. You will enjoy it. As with anything else in life you get out of it what you put into it!
Richard