r/DieselTechs • u/RevolutionaryPay2364 • 8d ago
Advice
any advice for getting a job in the heavy equipment industry?
i’ve got about 3 years of experience but haven’t worked on every earth moving machine so it’s making it hard to get hired
any advice is appreciated
dm are open for advice
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u/SkewbieDewbie 8d ago
Garbage. Its smelly. Its gross. They're always hiring, and its always busy. I've pretty well worked in every leg of transportation/ equipment you can imagine (except cranes, i don't do heights.) Refuse is the one industry I've found that isn't dependant on economy, has a bit of everything, and always keeping me on my toes.
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u/RevolutionaryPay2364 8d ago
wym
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u/SkewbieDewbie 7d ago
Depending on who you talk to some consider garbage trucks to be offroad equipment and some think on-road. On top of your regular truck stuff, engine, trans, driveline, aftertreatment, etc. You also have all kinds of different hydralic systems, complex elecrical diag, etc. Then, if you work at a facility such as I do, you can work on anything from highway truck and trailer, to automotive, offroad equipment, stationary equipment. I went into this having given up being a mechanic, I was done working the scummy dealers. I literally got a job as a garbage man (still best job ive ever had). Then, because I had the XP, and they needed a mechanic, I did both. During covid we got so busy we bought more trucks, more trucks meant more maintenance, more maintenance meant more money, etc. 8 years later, 3 journeyman certs and 2 redseals, I took over as foreman 2 years ago. Ive learned a lot, and still am. Keeps me on my toes.
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u/RevolutionaryPay2364 7d ago
oh i see , yea i’ve been with yellow iron since i started but after this company i was with it’s making me rethink everything but i’ve always had a passion for yellow iron since a kid either operating or working on em
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u/Imaginary_Belt_2186 7d ago
I've applied to several garbage companies and they said no.
Like, I'm green, sure, but what the Fuck?
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u/Windcave42 7d ago
Have you been appling to field positions? Thats where the demand is highest, and they'll be more likely to take who they can get
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u/RevolutionaryPay2364 7d ago
yes , was with a company for a week and this morning went to talk to my supervisor to ask him if i can stay where im at instead of moving he said they are letting me go and i’ve been playing to other companies around me
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u/TheBlu3Duck 7d ago
Look for municipalities near your biggest city , rail , bridges , electric etc. You will probably need to take a skills test. Look to get a CDL if not get a cdl permit and the job will probably help you get it if you can get in
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u/RichieGang 7d ago
Not sure why you aren’t getting hired considering the industry has such a shortage. In southeastern US, we are hiring guys that barely know anything and teaching them.
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u/achakez 7d ago
I would focus less on the number of machines you have worked on and more on what you can diagnose. Electric/hydraulic troubleshooting reading, schematics, finding faults are skills that transfer pretty well.
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u/RevolutionaryPay2364 7d ago
i know how to diagnose and work on hydraulics and electrical and reading schematics is pretty use to me since i grew up learning blue prints
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u/flaguff Verified Tech 7d ago
My advice is to FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE!. it's brutal on your body, mental health and family life.
With that being said find a dealer that does internships John Deere, Cat and not so much Komatsu because well they are Japanese and they think their machines don't need to be worked on.
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u/poopsack_williams 8d ago
I’m not sure what other advice to give you other than keep applying, and tailor your resume to make it more relatable to heavy equipment. If you’ve ever worked on/diagnosed hydraulic circuits include that, include 24v electrical diagnostics, etc etc.