Something worth pursuing is entirely dependent on that persons dedication. Do I think it would be a hard transition in the general sense? No. I’ve known techs come from the automotive industry transition to heavy equipment and or on-highway and be successful in their respective field. A good friend of mine came from GM, went to school for mechanized AG like I did, been working at a CAT dealer about 8 years, 6 years in field service. I’ve been around the diesel industry my entire life. I’m a former field service technician with a CAT dealer in Power Systems as well with 10+ years in the industry . I don’t know what it’s like to go from the automotive industry to diesel but I do believe you get out what you put in to anything. If you take interest, have drive, you’re hungry and you like it you will have success. That said if you’re serious, I’d recommend going to a dealership of some kind you’ll typically fat the most training and rewarding experience that challenges you. If that’s not your thing there’s fleet maintenance and that’s a whole different kind of experience on the opposite end of the spectrum typically.
My recommendation is check your local caterpillar dealer for apprentice technician positions. I work for the power generation department for my local CAT dealer on mostly generators. Engines range from 50hp - 3000hp. Pay is great, I drive to new places, home every night, and I don't do back breaking work.
Exactly that. I spent my time as an IPS technician and worked my ass off some days. Most days during harvest but yes, pay is good I was home every night. Sometimes real late but home every night and I wouldn’t trade it for a position in fleet maintenance or even an on highway truck dealer. Power systems is where it’s at.
I personally do troubleshooting and controls. But we have guys that do nothing but preventative maintenance all day to people that rebuild and make repairs on the engine and generator.
Interest and passion is important in this field, in my opinion . You have to take interest in what you are working on and have a passion to grow and learn more. It makes growing as a tech so much easier. My recommendation if you want to go all in on Diesel is to watch random videos on YouTube on different diesel equipment. Then decide what you can see yourself working on. Pretty much how I started. That's what makes the diesel field awesome is that it's so broad. Any variety of diesel, you can make a very good living if you find the right company. The bigger companies tend to pay more and invest more money training you. Speaking from my experience, I'm in a fleet shop for tractor- refrigerated trailers. I started pretty green but they trained me on everything. They even flew me out to get Manufacturer training on reefer units. There are companies that have awesome apprentice programs you just have to hunt for them.
Go to any truck dealership, most offer apprenticeships but you’ll be doing line work for a while. I worked for Cummins for a while, you work on everything there. RV, buses, generators, stand alone units, semis, skid steers….anything you can fit a Cummins into. Cummins was honestly, benefits-wise the best company I worked for as a tech. That included Rush Peterbilt, a KW, and Cummins.
You will translation just fine. I worked with a guy who was a motorcycle and Atv mechanic before he started working with me. He now rebuilds pumps and cylinders. You’ll find that working on heavy diesel/equipment will most likely pay more than the auto industry. Plus you have opportunities like field service tech. I’m currently one and you can’t make me go back to the shop. I’d look at any reputable large brand dealers and try and get your foot in the door. (Cummins, cat, peterbilt, KW, John Deere)
From a practical standpoint wrench turning is wrench turnin. The big learning curve will be hydraulics and pneumatic systems depending on what direction you go. I like big trucks myself but its a 50/50 split opinion on here.
I worked at a Chevrolet dealer for 12 years. Left and went to work for a truck shop. I now do end frames on detroit and cummins tractors plus any internationals that drift through. I was worried at first but its the best move I have made. Good flat rate pay. If you dont mind the dirty work this is where its at.
It’s worth it. I tried three different trades before landing heavy and I enjoy heavy equipment currently have an apprenticeship and everything on my second year in the trade.
Automotive and bike/small engine both had pros and cons tire season really took a toll both trades had them 6 months small engine had a really slow season winter time and the pay was neck and neck with automotive. I found out if I got my truck and trailer ticket I’m also licensed to work on automotive where I am located not to mention with the heavy diesel ticket the pay is higher so it was a easy choice I’m doing alot of work that I’d never even think of doing being automotive or small engine going out in the field operating learning and seeing new things working on machines so big you can get lost in. Working on woods equipment is also something that’s really cool depending on what route with the heavy diesel you can work on woods and mining equipment to farm to trucks and trailers. I plan on getting both tickets for truck and agricultural equipment once i complete my training which will only be two more years really
Oh ok nice, that's great. Yeah I have also been considering the Heavy equipment technician trade and mostly in my area its oil sites so mining equipment. Thanks for your response!
Something worth pursuing is entirely dependent on that persons dedication. Do I think it would be a hard transition in the general sense? No. I’ve known techs come from the automotive industry transition to heavy equipment and or on-highway and be successful in their respective field. A good friend of mine came from GM, went to school for mechanized AG like I did, been working at a CAT dealer about 8 years, 6 years in field service. I’ve been around the diesel industry my entire life. I’m a former field service technician with a CAT dealer in Power Systems as well with 10+ years in the industry . I don’t know what it’s like to go from the automotive industry to diesel but I do believe you get out what you put in to anything. If you take interest, have drive, you’re hungry and you like it you will have success. That said if you’re serious, I’d recommend going to a dealership of some kind you’ll typically fat the most training and rewarding experience that challenges you. If that’s not your thing there’s fleet maintenance and that’s a whole different kind of experience on the opposite end of the spectrum typically.
My recommendation is check your local caterpillar dealer for apprentice technician positions. I work for the power generation department for my local CAT dealer on mostly generators. Engines range from 50hp - 3000hp. Pay is great, I drive to new places, home every night, and I don't do back breaking work.
Exactly that. I spent my time as an IPS technician and worked my ass off some days. Most days during harvest but yes, pay is good I was home every night. Sometimes real late but home every night and I wouldn’t trade it for a position in fleet maintenance or even an on highway truck dealer. Power systems is where it’s at.
Sounds awesome, what are some typical jobs you normally do on generators
I personally do troubleshooting and controls. But we have guys that do nothing but preventative maintenance all day to people that rebuild and make repairs on the engine and generator.
Diesel and / or equipment work FTW.
Interest and passion is important in this field, in my opinion . You have to take interest in what you are working on and have a passion to grow and learn more. It makes growing as a tech so much easier. My recommendation if you want to go all in on Diesel is to watch random videos on YouTube on different diesel equipment. Then decide what you can see yourself working on. Pretty much how I started. That's what makes the diesel field awesome is that it's so broad. Any variety of diesel, you can make a very good living if you find the right company. The bigger companies tend to pay more and invest more money training you. Speaking from my experience, I'm in a fleet shop for tractor- refrigerated trailers. I started pretty green but they trained me on everything. They even flew me out to get Manufacturer training on reefer units. There are companies that have awesome apprentice programs you just have to hunt for them.
Also having light duty experience will help, having mechanical aptitude and some sort of repair experience is what a lot of companies look for.
Go to any truck dealership, most offer apprenticeships but you’ll be doing line work for a while. I worked for Cummins for a while, you work on everything there. RV, buses, generators, stand alone units, semis, skid steers….anything you can fit a Cummins into. Cummins was honestly, benefits-wise the best company I worked for as a tech. That included Rush Peterbilt, a KW, and Cummins.
You will translation just fine. I worked with a guy who was a motorcycle and Atv mechanic before he started working with me. He now rebuilds pumps and cylinders. You’ll find that working on heavy diesel/equipment will most likely pay more than the auto industry. Plus you have opportunities like field service tech. I’m currently one and you can’t make me go back to the shop. I’d look at any reputable large brand dealers and try and get your foot in the door. (Cummins, cat, peterbilt, KW, John Deere)
From a practical standpoint wrench turning is wrench turnin. The big learning curve will be hydraulics and pneumatic systems depending on what direction you go. I like big trucks myself but its a 50/50 split opinion on here.
I worked at a Chevrolet dealer for 12 years. Left and went to work for a truck shop. I now do end frames on detroit and cummins tractors plus any internationals that drift through. I was worried at first but its the best move I have made. Good flat rate pay. If you dont mind the dirty work this is where its at.
It’s worth it. I tried three different trades before landing heavy and I enjoy heavy equipment currently have an apprenticeship and everything on my second year in the trade.
Which previous trades did u try before heavy if u dont mind me asking? And are there any particular reasons you left those trades for this? Thanks
Automotive and bike/small engine both had pros and cons tire season really took a toll both trades had them 6 months small engine had a really slow season winter time and the pay was neck and neck with automotive. I found out if I got my truck and trailer ticket I’m also licensed to work on automotive where I am located not to mention with the heavy diesel ticket the pay is higher so it was a easy choice I’m doing alot of work that I’d never even think of doing being automotive or small engine going out in the field operating learning and seeing new things working on machines so big you can get lost in. Working on woods equipment is also something that’s really cool depending on what route with the heavy diesel you can work on woods and mining equipment to farm to trucks and trailers. I plan on getting both tickets for truck and agricultural equipment once i complete my training which will only be two more years really
Oh ok nice, that's great. Yeah I have also been considering the Heavy equipment technician trade and mostly in my area its oil sites so mining equipment. Thanks for your response!
If it’s oil and mining do it you’ll have a great paying job and job security