Appraising the roles and values of Big Rig Truck Mechanics…
Against the backdrop of the fact that commercial big rig trucks are often used to convey industrial heavy freight from one place to another and do generally spend most days on the roads, there is a need to for every commercial big rig truck to have a stable mechanic in case of breakdown or malfunction.
However, it has been established that virtually all modern big rig trucks are indispensable to diesel engines due to the current state of commercial and industrial operations. As a result, the presence of a vast mechanics is needed so as to enhance all-time smooth operation and services of the commercial big rig truck.
More fundamentally, the commercial big rig trucks powered by diesel engine have the tendency to withstand rigorous activities. As a result, they are used for the conveyance of heavy tasks such as; transporting strong building equipment, heavy industrial output, logs of woods and so on.
Given the widespread nature of commercial big rig trucks diesel engines, qualified diesel and heavy vehicle mechanics are now in high demand and they command a premium salary in some industries after they have undergone the proper training with the view of acquiring the necessary experience.
What Do Big Rig Trucks Diesel Engine Mechanics Do?
Having established the fact that diesel engine mechanics are fundamentally needed so as to enhance optimum maintenance of commercial big rig trucks, it should be equally noted that diesel and heavy equipment mechanics both have the wherewithal to diagnose and repair the diesel engines of a commercial big rig.
More importantly, diesel mechanics can perform an operation on any diesel related engines. More often than not, these include semi-trucks, 18-wheel trucks, heavy equipment, among others. It is to be noted that heavy truck mechanics are usually more conversant with big rigs that are devoted to industrial activities, construction, railway equipment, and so on.
Worthy of note, however, is that the mechanic inspects the engine with the aim of identifying the problems of the big rig trucks. In a similar vein, the engine mechanic may only perform routine maintenance on the trucks as recommended by the manufacturer and everything will be back to normalcy.
In some circumstances, it may require a critical diagnosis in line with the standard procedure before the big rig truck engine can be repaired by the mechanics. As a matter of fact, the values of a typical diesel engine mechanics are imperative towards maintaining the good condition of big rig trucks.
More instructively, the engine mechanic usually possesses knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems coupled with the diagnostic tools, such as computer-based diagnostic software, multi-meters, compression gauges and battery-load testers with the view of enhancing smooth operations on big rig trucks.
How Much Do Big Rig Diesel Mechanics Make?
In accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median average salary for a typical big rig diesel mechanic is $42,320 on an annual basis. More importantly, those employed as fleet mechanics or for government institutions may earn larger median salaries as much as $49,130 on an annual basis.
However, it was reported that heavy big rig mechanic earns a median salary of $43,820, while the top earners make over $62,960 per year. In this regard, the area of specializations of repairs matters a lot in the determination of the median salary.
Given the exponential rise in the number of big rig trucks, it is obvious that there are more new positions that are opened for diesel mechanics. This is further prompted by the rise of industries such as; freight transportation, farming, oil exploration, construction, and mining, among others. To this end, the big rig diesel mechanics occupy a place of pride.
How to Become a Big Rig Diesel Mechanic?
It should be categorically stated that there is no formal training or licensing that is exclusively needed before becoming a diesel or commercial big rig truck mechanic. From time immemorial, most of the mechanics started as assistants and eventually became dexterous big rig repairers in the course of the job while others entered into an apprenticeship arrangement.
Without being equivocal, these form of methods stated above requires at least 3 or 4 years of training before one can be considered qualified or deemed fit for an entry-level position as a commercial big rig truck mechanic.
In recent times, most employers or industries now prefer their commercial big rig truck mechanics to have at least some formal education and hands-on experience before they are hired as a result of the changing industry standards coupled with the increasing technological complexity of today’s diesel engines.
In the light of the above, there are a number of establishments in modern times where the formal skills can be acquired. These include but not limited to; trade schools, technical schools, vocational schools as well as some community colleges.
More importantly, the courses offered by most of these establishments incorporate both the classroom instruction with hands-on diagnostics and repair experience. These sorts of programmes can be completed in just one to two years and potential big rig mechanics (trainees) are offered a certificate of completion or diploma at the end.