624 Farm Mechanics & Repair

This group includes occupations concerned with repairing machinery, equipment, and vehicles used in planting, cultivating, harvesting, moving, processing, and storing plant and animal farm products.

624.281-010 FARM-EQUIPMENT MECHANIC (agric. equip.) I farm mechanic.

Maintains, repairs, and overhauls farm machinery, equipment, and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, pumps, tilling equipment trucks, and other mechanized, electrically powered, or motor-driven equipment, on farms or in farm-equipment repair shops: Examines and listens to machines, motors, gasoline and diesel engines, and equipment for operational defects and dismantles defective units using hand tools. Repairs or replaces defective parts, using hand tools and machine tools, such as drill press, lathe, milling machine, woodworking machines, welding equipment, grinders, and saws. Reassembles, adjusts, and lubricates machines and equipment to insure efficient operation. May install and repair wiring and motors to maintain farm electrical system. May install and repair plumbing systems on farm. May construct and repair buildings and other farm structures. May assemble and erect new farm machine and equipment. May be designated according to equipment maintained as VINER MECHANIC (agric. equip.).

624.281-014 FARM-EQUIPMENT-MECHANIC APPRENTICE (agric. equip.) farm-mechanic apprentice.

Performs duties as described under APPRENTICE (any ind.).

624.361-010 INSPECTOR AND TESTER (agric. equip.) mechanical inspector; tester.

Inspects agricultural equipment, such as tractors, combines, and balers for missing, defective, or improperly installed parts and operational malfunctions: Observes operation of equipment being driven around test area or on treadmill to detect defects, such as loose fittings, improper assembly, malfunctioning parts, or faulty controls, as indicated by noise, leaks, or irregularities in braking, steering, or transmission mechanisms. Alines power-driven wheels of unit over dynamometer and connects electrical test leads to output terminals. Compares dynamometer readings with specifications charts to check unit output. Assigns ASSEMBLY REPAIRER (agric. equip.) to defective equipment, explains defects, and suggests method of repair. Examines equipment for paint defects, incorrect decal application, missing tools, and faulty lights. Records cause and type of defect and repair work performed. May be designated according to type of inspection as TREADMILL INSPECTOR (agric. equip.) or type of equipment inspected as COMBINE INSPECTOR (agric. equip.).

624.361-014 SPRINKLER-IRRIGATION-EQUIPMENT MECHANIC (agric. equip.)

Installs and maintains self-propelled circle-irrigation system on farm according to specifications: Reads work order to ascertain type system to be installed, installation location, and operating specifications. Drives truck to haul tools and equipment to worksite. Raises prefabricated sections of irrigator into position, using truck-mounted crane, and connects sections together with precut structural aluminum and bolts. Installs water pipe and sprinkler heads along framework, using pipe-wrenches and couplings. Positions, seals, and secures irrigator to pivot of water supply, using crane, wrenches, and packing compound. Activates irrigator and observes operation to verify synchronization of drive-wheels, water lines, sprinkler heads, and structural members, using pipe threader, tube cutters, welding equipment, and hand tools. Tests and replaces electrical wiring and components, using test meter, soldering equipment, and wire strippers. Periodically repacks pivot and lubricates moving parts.

624.381-010 ASSEMBLY REPAIRER (agric. equip.)

Repairs assembly defects of agricultural equipment, such as tractor, hay balers, and combines, using hand tools and power tools: Reads inspection reports and examines equipment to determine type and extent of defect. Alines, adjusts, or replaces parts, such as drive chains, sprockets, housings, and springs, using hand tools and pneumatic grinder. Records type and cause of defect.

624.381-014 FARM-EQUIPMENT MECHANIC (agric. equip.)II farm mechanic; field-equipment-maintenance mechanic, farm.

Services, adjusts, and makes minor repairs on farm vehicles, machinery, and equipment, such as tractors, trucks, automobiles, harvesters, combines, silo fillers, plows, and similar equipment, using hand tools: Observes and examines machinery and parts in operation to detect malfunctioning or defective units. Replaces components, such as carburetors, fuel pumps, generators, ignition points, and spark plugs. Adjusts timing of motors, lubricates, washes, paints, and cleans vehicles and attachments, using hand tools. May assist other workers in more complex maintenance tasks, such as overhaul of machinery and equipment, repair and erection of buildings and structures, plumbing repair, and electrical work on farm.

624.381-018 FARM-MACHINERY SET-UP MECHANIC (agric. equip.)

Erects and assembles farm machinery for use in field: Uncrates components at freight station or dealer's warehouse, using crowbar and hammer. Assembles and adjusts machinery according to specifications using hand tools. Oils and greases moving parts. May deliver farm machinery to purchasers.

624.684-010 GREASER (agric. equip.)

Services and maintains farm machinery and equipment: Lubricates and greases tractors and other powered farm machinery and attachments. Fills gasoline tanks and radiators. Changes and inflates tires. Repairs tubes. Couples attachments, such as cultivators and stalk cutter to tractors, and adjusts attachments to till soil at prescribed depth or to perform other operations as indicated.

Adapted from US Department of Labor DOT for Dictionary of Agricultural Occupations

15 November 2004