Diesel engines are the workhorses of the road and job site. Machines, from over-the-road trucks to bulldozers, to industrial and farm equipment run on diesel engines, which are known for their reliability and toughness. Diesel techs keep these machines rolling and running — on the road, the job site and in factories.
WHAT DO DIESEL TECHS DO? Diesel technicians inspect, diagnose, repair and maintain any machine with a diesel engine. A few examples include: • Aircraft support equipment. • Farm equipment, including tractors, harvesters, dairy and irrigation systems. • Marine equipment, ships and yachts. • Over-the-road trucks (semis). • Buses and dump trucks. • Earth-moving equipment, such as bulldozers, loaders, backhoes and graders. • Road construction/highway paving equipment. • Industrial/factory machines, including cranes, pumps and drilling equipment. A diesel technician is similar to a diesel mechanic, because both use tools and training to diagnose problems, make repairs and perform necessary maintenance. A diesel technician is different from a diesel mechanic, generally speaking, in that: • Diesel technicians are trained to handle onboard electronics (computer systems) of the modern diesel engine. • Diesel mechanics are primarily trained to repair mechanical (moving parts) components of an engine. Typical day-to-day job duties of diesel technicians include: • Make major and minor engine repairs by repairing or replacing parts and components. • Perform routine and preventative maintenance. • Work on a vehicle’s electrical and exhaust systems to comply with pollution regulations. • Test drive vehicles to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they run smoothly. WHAT’S NEW? Diesel machinery has enjoyed major advances in technology, which have created a growth in the need for skilled technicians. Between safety regulations, environmental controls and insurance guidelines, the trucking industry has a lot of rules by which it must abide. To help stay in compliance, trucking companies rely on the technology that’s built into their fleet. 38
BLUEPRINT | 2022 | ARKANSAS TIMES
It’s not unusual for a new truck to have multiple computers on board regulating everything from speed and location to fuel consumption. Some trucks are sophisticated enough to monitor their own systems and alert the operator when a problem is detected. Older trucks that didn’t have these computers installed when they were built are often overhauled with the new technology to help bring them up to speed. Farm technology is another fast-growing area where technicians are needed. Modern farm equipment can map out a field, test soil samples from different areas and apply the precise mix of fertilizer or minerals for each area. Harvesting equipment comes equipped with auto-steer, can track yields in real-time and utilizes GPS to minimize harvest guesswork. WHERE DO DIESEL TECHS WORK? Diesel techs are employed by (among others): • Manufacturers. • Trucking companies. • Equipment dealerships. • Farm operations. • Cities and counties. Some techs may also work as inspectors to make sure equipment meets government regulations. The work environment for diesel technicians is in a repair, maintenance or garage-type facility. Some are mobile and must travel to the site of a breakdown or job site to provide service. In these instances, you may be required to work outside, sometimes in inclement weather. The majority of diesel techs work full time. Some companies require on-call, night and weekend hours. Working hours may depend on your specialty; you may work on trucks as they come in for service, respond to emergency calls as they happen, or you may be responsible for the regular maintenance of a fleet of vehicles and equipment. WHAT’S THE JOB OUTLOOK? There were about 3,670 diesel technicians in Arkansas in 2018, and the Department of Labor expects that number to grow by 9% by 2028. That’s slightly ahead of the national average.
HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE? Diesel Technician • Lower range wages (bottom 10 percent) — $29,660 annually/$14.26 per hour • Middle range wages (median) — $40,630 annually/$19.53 per hour • Higher range wages (top 10 percent) — $60,210 annually/$28.95 per hour WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL? • Physical skills • Physical strength • Technical skills • Computer knowledge • Soft skills HOW DO I LEARN THE CRAFT? Many technicians, like mechanics, learned their trade on the job, but these days many employers prefer to hire technicians who have formal education in the field. As a result, several two-year colleges in Arkansas provide educational courses ranging from six months to about two years to complete. In addition, many diesel technicians are also required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), which allows them to test-drive the vehicles they work on. Employers may also send experienced technicians to special training classes conducted by manufacturers and vendors to learn about the latest diesel technology, techniques and equipment. Some employers may require (and pay for) their techs to be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Diesel technicians may be certified in specific repair areas, such as drivetrains, electronic systems and preventative maintenance and inspection.
