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.

Also Known As:

Chainsaw Technician Golf Cart Mechanic Lawnmower Repair Mechanic Mechanic Outdoor Power Equipment Service Technician Service Technician (Service Tech) Shop Mechanic Small Engine Mechanic Small Engine Technician (Small Engine Tech)

Wages

Hourly

Annual wages for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics in United States

Job Outlook Average

New job opportunities are likely in the future

United States 2034 Projected Employment

37,800

3% Change From 2024

Explore Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
Replace motors.
Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
Show customers how to maintain equipment.
Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
Sell parts and equipment.
Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
Grind, ream, rebore, and re-tap parts to obtain specified clearances, using grinders, lathes, taps, reamers, boring machines, and micrometers.
Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.

Subject areas you may need to master.

Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
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.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.