Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Farm Equipment Mechanic
What farm equipment mechanics actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a farm equipment mechanic?
Review work orders at the dealership. From there, the day usually includes diagnose equipment problems, repair engines and drivetrains, and repair hydraulic systems. Long hours are common during planting and harvest.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a farm equipment mechanic working full time.
- Review work orders at the dealership.
- Diagnose a tractor’s hydraulic leak.
- Update software on a combine’s controller.
- Drive to a farm to repair a sprayer in the field.
- Calibrate a GPS receiver.
- Perform pre-harvest inspection on a combine.
- Complete work orders.
Where farm equipment mechanics work
Mechanics work in dealer shops and in the field at farms, in all weather.
Hours and schedule
Long hours are common during planting and harvest.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Diagnose equipment problems
- Repair engines and drivetrains
- Repair hydraulic systems
- Troubleshoot electronics and GPS
- Perform preventive maintenance
- Make field repairs
- Document work and order parts
Tools you’ll use every day
- Diagnostic laptops
- Hydraulic gauges
- Hand and power tools
- Service trucks
- Multimeters
- Welding equipment
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Strong demand
- Mix of mechanical and tech work
- Dealer training programs
- Rural lifestyle
What’s hard
- Long seasonal hours
- Field work in bad weather
- Physically demanding
- Tool investment
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love farm machinery
- I enjoy troubleshooting
- I like electronics and mechanics
- I can work long harvest hours
- I like rural areas
- I want strong demand for my skills
Not sure? Take the free Farm Equipment Mechanic fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Relieve hydraulic pressure before repairs
- Follow lockout and block raised equipment
- Use PPE when welding and grinding
- Drive service trucks safely