Occupation Details
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$32,760.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$42,460.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$51,490.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
1,440
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
1,880
+44 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
226
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.3%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adjustable gap spark testers
- Allen wrench sets
- Automatic center punches
- Ball peen hammers
- Battery terminal cleaners
- Breaker bars
- Cam bearing plug gauges
- Camshaft bearing drivers
- Camshaft bearing pullers
- Carburetor pressure gauges
- Channel lock pliers
- Charging system testers
- Coil testers
- Combination pliers
- Combination wrenches
- Compression testing gauges
- Computer data input scanners
- Cotter pin pullers
- Crankshaft straighteners
- Crowfoot wrenches
- Cylinder bore telescoping gauges
- Cylinder hones
- Dead blow hammers
- Diagonal cutters
- Dial bore gauges
- Dial calipers
- Digital multimeters
- Digital tachometers
- Engine hour meters
- Fixed tip snap ring pliers
Technology
- Ideal Computer Systems Ideal OPE
- Land & Sea DYNO-MAX
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- RepairTRAX
- Sale processing software
- Smart Equipment Repair
- VersaDyne small engine test system
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- maintain repair records
- estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
- determine installation, service, or repair needed
- observe or listen to machinery or equipment operation to detect malfunctions
- use electronic calibration devices
- use engine diagnostic equipment
- use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
- use hand or power tools
- set up and operate variety of machine tools
- use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
- use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
- use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
- apply cleaning solvents
- move or fit heavy objects
- read blueprints
- read specifications
- read schematics
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- understand service or repair manuals
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use knowledge of metric system
- use 2-cycle engine technology
- adjust or set mechanical controls or components
- align or adjust clearances of mechanical components or parts
- diagnose mechanical problems in machinery or equipment
- overhaul power-generating equipment or machinery
- maintain or repair small engines
- test mechanical products or equipment
- overhaul vehicle major operating units, such as engines or transmissions
- conduct tests to locate mechanical system malfunction
- repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
- assemble, dismantle, or reassemble equipment or machinery
- inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
- Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
- Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
- Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
- Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
- Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
- Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
- Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
- Replace motors.
- Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
- Show customers how to maintain equipment.
- Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
- Sell parts and equipment.
- Grind, ream, rebore, and re-tap parts to obtain specified clearances, using grinders, lathes, taps, reamers, boring machines, and micrometers.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Small engine mechanics
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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