Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Also called: Chain Saw Mechanic, Chainsaw Technician, Edge Trimmer Mechanic, Electric Golf Cart Repairers, Electric Wheelchair Repairer

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Varies

estimated salary

Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.

  • Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
  • Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
  • Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
  • 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.
  • Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
  • Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
  • Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
  • Replace motors.
  • Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
  • Show customers how to maintain equipment.
  • Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
  • Sell parts and equipment.
  • Grind, ream, rebore, and re-tap parts to obtain specified clearances, using grinders, lathes, taps, reamers, boring machines, and micrometers.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

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.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • 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.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Maintain work equipment or machinery.
  • Repair defective engines or engine components.
  • Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
  • Reassemble equipment after repair.
  • Maintain repair or maintenance records.
  • Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
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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.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Skills

Repairing
  • Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Maintenance
  • Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting
  • Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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Abilities

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.
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.
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
  • Ideal Computer Systems Ideal OPE
  • RepairTRAX
  • Smart Equipment Repair
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