I am sure there are some pro Diesel Mechanics on this fourm. I am wondering how the jobs are? is it a good career or more of a "young mans job?" I am 47 and looking for a new career path.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

Bob

 

I left the field for a civil service job, I still do it part time, I actually like it more now that I am not doing it full time. How's the condition of your back? Knee's?, if they are ok now they won't be in a couple years. The money is good for a seasoned wrench, but it stinks if you have no experience.

Where in Conn are you, I have some friends that work at Tristate Diesel in Windsor.


Just my .02,

Best of luck,

Tim

 

I've been a diesel tech for most of my adult life and have to say that as a beginner it's more of a young mans game both financially and physically, once you get a few years under your belt the money is pretty good but the physical toll on your body really catches up to you. If this is something you really want to pursue something to look at is your local mass transit system, I don't know about any others for sure but the one I work for offers a short training course and then once you get out on the shop floor will team you up with an experienced tech to help you get up to speed...you just have to be prepared (at least with my system) to work a lot of nights, weekends and holidays until you work your way up the seniority ladder.

 

I'm 23 and been wrenchin on semis for a lil over 2 years now, along with operating a wrecker. I personally like it, doesn't get too monotonous, which is what I like. It is a physically demanding job at times, and dangerous at times when we do emergency roadside service. W egot a guy at our shop who is about to hit 50 and just went to the doctor for knee problems and even at my age I wake up every morning with a sore back, but other than that i love it.

 

i applied for a diesel mechanic job once, they said i had to have my own tools.... i guess the hammer and crescent wrench wasn't enough (i didn't get the job)

 

Thats cause you did not bring the vise grips and duct tape.


Tim

 

I'm currently apprenticing as a heavy equipment technician (fancy wording for heavy duty mechanic). So far I love it, lots to learn and most days theres always something new. Our shop foreman has been in the trade for 30+years and I'm constantly learning stuff from him whether he's explaining how something works or showing me first hand how to do it. Plus its just plain cool being around all these huge diesels whether it be a Cat D10R, Volvo A40D haul truck etc etc. I can say if you do decide to get into it, buy quality tools. Granted theres some things that you don't need to spend an arm and a leg on but a good set of wrenches, ratchets, impact gun etc is worth every penny IMO.

PM me if you need any more info.

Hope this helps!

 

I guess it depend on how big of diesels you want to work on. Auto diesel probably isn't or just light general repairs on big trucks isn't that bad but working on bigger stuff is hard on your back, knees, and everything else. Everything is heavy and super tight like doing an inframe on a Cummins that the main bolts tourqe up to 305ftlbs laying on your back or the Cat head bolts that that go 120lb ft and 90deg then you loosen them and do it all over again. Luckily I mostly supervise now so it isn't too bad.
You will need alot of tools for a general mechanic position both sae and metric up to 1" drive stuff if you plan on working on big equipment. Most shops will provide the specialty tools.

 

I did it between jobs with the car dealers, and it sucks big time. You'll be begging to pull an engine out of a pickup in a couple weeks after fighting with all the heavy stuff. I'd rather go off to war next instead. You want to be around diesels, be in the seat, take a CDL course and drive them instead, that's what I did for awhile, I actually had fun. I'm 46 now, and when we get moved in the next couple years, I'm going back to driving, much better for an old fart like me. I actually helped a Nascar semi driver get his truck out of a jam last week in a parking lot in SC., they thanked me over and over, I guess the driver was real green.

 

I worked at a heavy equip shop thru hi school in the 60s and it was dirty hard work. Just ask a diesel tech how much $$$ they have in tool. I'm sure glad I took the hvac road instead - good money, better, cleaner work and the whole tool inventory is way cheaper than for diesel/equip work. Doesn't matter what you do - you start at the bottom unless you get really lucky. Craig

 

i also work on heavy machines lost off cat 955s d6 and d11 its hard most days everything so heavy but the crane does most of the lifting. we mostly do motors and trans on all kinds of machines im lucky where i am my boss has been doing it for 30 years and his dad passed the biz to him and it just me and my boss so i get to do most of the work which great lots of learning. i got basic tools but anything big boss has so i dont need to buy

 

Very heavy, physically demanding work with long hours, lots of sweat, and very few "thank yous." If you're someone who's seeking a job that will challange them, it may be for you. Be prepared to spend around $15k to start for tools & equipment that you need, and you'll be using them. It's not for me, i like some lighter hands on but am content to think more now.

 

Thanks for all the replies, you guys gave me lots to think about, I have most of the tools, but am not sure if my body is ready, I am in a physically demanding job now, so it may not be the right path.

Thanks again.

Bob

 

My nephew has been doing it for about 22 yrs and he must be getting close to 50k in tools plus he just bought a used single axle service truck (C8.3/9 spd) with a crane. When he first started he loved seeing the Snapon truck but now he curses every time he has to buy another special tool and he looks for cheaper stuff. Craig

 

The company I work for is looking for quite a few heavy equipment mechanics and welders right now. We have 46 Cat 793 haul trucks, around 20 785 and 789 Cat haul trucks, 8 Hitachi shovels, 8 Cat 994 loaders, 10 Cat 992 loaders, 12 D10 Dozers, numerous track drills, a bunch of small loaders (988 and smaller), quite a few Cat 854 RTDs and just about every thing else you can imagine. The money is good, 401K, pension, medical, all that good stuff, and lots of time off. Anyway if you want to relocate to the west, there is PLENTY of work around here right now.