Find Out More – Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Course: Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Trade Title: Heavy Equipment Mechanic

OFO No: 653307

Accreditation Body: Quality Council for Trades and Occupations

What is a Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Heavy Equipment Mechanic are highly skilled Technician, Responsible for the maintenance and repairs of Heavy Equipment Diesel-powered machines.

To perform preventative maintenance and major component repairs, includes running diagnostics and test-driving vehicle to gauge performance and maintain detailed records of Machines/Vehicle they serviced.

In most case Heavy Equipment Mechanics are unable to recover Heavy vehicles back to workshop and are therefore required to carry out repairs on site or road site under extreme conditions and strict safety protocols.

Specialization in different areas, namely:

  • Maintenance of Heavy Machines/Vehicles
  • Diagnoses with diagnostic tools.
  • Remove and Replace redundant components.
  • Overhauling engine, gearbox/transmissions, differential, front suspension, drive trains, tracks, brake system (hydraulic and air), electrical (wires, globes, starters, and alternators) and hydraulic systems.

What does a Heavy Equipment Mechanic do

  • Maintaining Heavy Equipment machines/vehicles.
  • Machine normally bigger than your ordinary Diesel trucks and vehicles so components are bigger and heavier.
  • Run diagnostic tests!
  • Remove and replace engines!
  • Remove and replace gearboxes!
  • Remove and replace differential’s!
  • Overhaul Hydraulic pumps!
  • Overhaul and repair Hydraulic cylinders!
  • Fit Hydraulic pipes
  • Overhaul Turbo chargers!
  • Overhaul engines, Transmissions, differentials, and drive lines
  • Repair front suspensions!
  • Overhaul brake systems!
  • Repair and replace hydraulic components!
  • Always makes sure of safety!
  • Works according to government regulations!
  • Test drive vehicle to check for performance and road safety(roadworthiness)
  • Work under strict time limits to workshop flat rate manual
  • Must also be prepared to be on standby and work different shift.

Personal Qualities Required

  • Passionate in Heavy equipment and vehicles
  • Physically fit, strong, and agile
  • Observant
  • Responsible
  • Strong hand-eye coordination
  • A Person with an eye for detail
  • A Person with good colour vision
  • Person with good hands skills.
  • A Person with excellent judgement
  • Safety conscious
  • Self-motivated
  • Work without supervision

How to become a Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Entry Requirements

  • 16 years of age; and 
  • Grade 10 (Standard 8); or
  • Grade 11 (Standard 9) or Matric (Standard 10) with Maths and Science would be preferred; and
  • N2 qualification:
  • If you have passed grade 12 with a Maths and Science pass rate of more than 40%, you will only need to write and pass 2 of the 4 subjects (Engineering Drawing and Trade Theory) to obtain your N2 qualification.
  • If you have not passed the Grade 12 Maths and Science exam, then you would need to enrol for all 4 subjects (Maths, Engineering Science, Engineering Drawing and Trade Theory) to obtain your N2 qualification.

Training Requirements

  • You will need to obtain institutional learning at a training institution like Artisan Training Institute, for all your modules to be performed in the presence of and signed off by a registered Training Officer as competent. All modules passed will be signed off in your Logbook by the Training Officer.
  • Your Phase I would typically last around 12 weeks, after which you would need to obtain experiential (on-the-job) training for a period of 9 months, working under supervision of a registered Artisan at an accredited workplace. The Artisan will sign off all the relevant workplace modules performed on the job. 
  • Your Phase II will commence thereafter for a period of 12 weeks.  Once again you would need to continue your on-the-job training as mentioned above for another period of 9 months.
  • Once all the relevant modules in both your Off-the-Job Logbook (training institute) and On-the-Job Logbook have been successfully completed and signed off, you will be able to apply to write the Trade Test. 
  • Upon the successful demonstration to the QCTO that all the requirements for writing the Trade Test have been met, will your Trade Test date be issued.
  • Your Phase III will prepare you for the Trade Test and will last for up to 8 weeks. 

Heavy Equipment
Mechanic Phase 1

This course counts towards a credited Diesel Mechanic Qualification which consists of both Theory and Practical Workplace Training. This online part of the course covers the Theory only. The courses are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) of South Africa.

Heavy Equipment
Mechanic Phase 2

This course counts towards a credited Diesel Mechanic Qualification which consists of both Theory and Practical Workplace Training. This online part of the course covers the Theory only. The courses are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) of South Africa.