Farm Equipment Mechanics

High School

Take technical/shop courses that will introduce you to machinery repair, electrical work, and welding. Mechanical drawing classes can also prepare you for the work. Computer courses will be valuable; computers are used increasingly in farm machinery, as well as in the administrative office of a machine repair and sales business. Science courses that include units in soil and agronomy will help you to understand the needs of the agriculture industry. As a member of the National FFA Organization (formerly the Future Farmers of America), you may be involved in special projects that include working with farm machinery.

Postsecondary Training

After graduating from high school, most farm equipment mechanics go on to complete a one- or two-year program in agricultural or farm mechanics at a vocational school or community college. If you can't find such a program, study in diesel mechanics or appropriate experience through the military are also options. Topics that you will learn about include the maintenance and repair of diesel and gasoline engines, hydraulic systems, welding, and electronics. Your education doesn't stop there, however. After completing one of these programs you will be hired as a trainee or helper and continue to learn on the job, receiving training from experienced mechanics.

Some farm equipment mechanics learn their trade through apprenticeship programs. These programs combine three to four years of on-the-job training with classroom study related to farm equipment repair and maintenance. Apprentices are usually chosen from among shop helpers.

Certification

Many colleges and universities offer certificate programs in farm equipment maintenance and related areas. Programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. One example of such a program is offered by Bakersfield College (Bakersfield, California), which offers a heavy equipment technician certificate of achievement. To earn the certificate, students must complete the following courses: Farm Power Operation, Farm Power Diesel Repair, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Advanced Diesel Engine Repair, Hydraulics, Heavy Equipment Systems, Small Gas Engines, Agriculture Safety, and Occupational Work Experience Education/Internship. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs.

Other Education or Training

To stay up-to-date on technological changes that affect their work, mechanics and trainees may take special short-term courses that are offered by equipment manufacturers. In these programs, which usually last a few days, company service representatives explain the design and function of new models of equipment and teach mechanics how to maintain and repair them. Some employers help broaden their mechanics' skills by sending them to local vocational schools for special intensive courses in subjects such as air-conditioning repair, hydraulics, or electronics.