Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Outdoor power equipment mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.
Outdoor power equipment mechanics keep track of the repairs made, time spent, and parts used, test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, locate missing and broken parts, and verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments. They further, dismantle engines, use hand tools, examine parts for defects, repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawnmowers, generators, and compressors and adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
To work on outdoor power equipment parts & accessories, you need an educational background in engineering & technology, mechanical engineering, and customer service. Apart from education, you require certain skills such as equipment maintenance- maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed, repairing machines or systems using the needed tools, determining causes of operating errors, and watching gauges, dials, or other indicators and checking outdoor power equipment batteries.
To be successful as an outdoor power equipment technician, you must complete a few months or a year of training and high-school diploma. The work context of outdoor power equipment, mechanics needs to spend time using their hands to handle & control objects or tools.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- ITI Course Diesel Mechanic
- NSQF Level 4 Mechanic Diesel
- Diploma Mechanical Engineering
- B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering
Tasks
- Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
- Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
- Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
- Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
- Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
- Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
- Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
- Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
- Sell parts and equipment.
- Show customers how to maintain equipment.
Progression Routes
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