Light V heavy vehicle mechanics

[tapeworm]

Hi Forders, I'm working at my local Mercedes as an Apprentice Mechanic and I like it, but i'm just wondering do heavy stream mechanic Apprentices do a differnt sort of Tafe course to what I'll be doing? If I get qualified and decide I want to move into heavy stream would I be qualified enough to work on trucks etc?? Soory for the boring as query. :togo:

[AUXRVIII]

not sure how much it differs, but I had a made who did diesel 20yrs ago and he used to go on about the hydraulics being a pain, also you would do a lot more injection pump and injector stuff than compare to light stream.

[The G6ET Spot]

You would have to do a diesel mechanics course.

The diesel engine is a completely different animal than a petrol engine.

But in saying that I would say that you would have to be taught something regarding diesels with there being so many in 4WD.

[tapeworm]

There are also alot of diesel cars etc these days. If the heavy vehicle apprentices attend the same mechanics course at tafe that i'll be doing then should end up with skills similar enough to switch between either heavy and light, hopefully.

[3vXT]

That girl in your avatar is hot.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by tapeworm

There are also alot of diesel cars etc these days. If the heavy vehicle apprentices attend the same mechanics course at tafe that i'll be doing then should end up with skills similar enough to switch between either heavy and light, hopefully.

heavy diesel (cummins cat gm) are a different kettle of fish.
most rebuild are inchassis (resleive/piston's/fuel pump/valve lash/jakebson)
10% out of chassis (full cahoona)

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by tapeworm

There are also alot of diesel cars etc these days. If the heavy vehicle apprentices attend the same mechanics course at tafe that i'll be doing then should end up with skills similar enough to switch between either heavy and light, hopefully.

The course for a heavy stream mechanic is nothing like that of car mechanic.

I’m not sure that you can change, however, if you want to change what you are doing, I suggest that you discuss it with the powers that be, sooner than later.

Back in 1985 when I was a diesel mechanic apprentice in my first year, all of the heavy stream motor mechanics would complete the same syllabus. It was only in the second year that everyone branched out into either trucks, earthmoving or agricultural.

I can’t see how you would be able to do this unless you actually worked in a heavy vehicle workshop. If you want to make serious money, you have to work on the big stuff and be prepared to get dirty. One thing that many people would be unaware of is that heavy trucks are extremely complex in the software department, some more than most cars on the road.

Good luck

[tapeworm]

Hey thanks for you're help fellas, it helps a lot. I may consider moving onto the heavy stuff.

[XR Martin]

It comes down to how dirty you want to be at the end of the day.

Unless you hate your back and wish to be a hunchback by 40, don't even consider being a diesel mechanic. Talk to some and find out the condition of their backs.

Plus, pay is often much less than with cars. I know fully qualified diesel mechanics who get about $550 a week.

[drew`SEVNT5]

Originally Posted by Shounak

Unless you hate your back and wish to be a hunchback by 40, don't even consider being a diesel mechanic. Talk to some and find out the condition of their backs.

Plus, pay is often much less than with cars. I know fully qualified diesel mechanics who get about $550 a week.

well, the qualified diesel mech.s you know are idiots who are being underpaid.

if anything, the car mechs get payed less than truck mechs, and have less chance to pump in some serious overtime(ie: breakdown van, extended hours etc)

[tapeworm]

Originally Posted by Shounak

Unless you hate your back and wish to be a hunchback by 40, don't even consider being a diesel mechanic. Talk to some and find out the condition of their backs.

Plus, pay is often much less than with cars. I know fully qualified diesel mechanics who get about $550 a week.

I'm on 650 a week as a 1st year..23 mature age and all

[KenW]

I swapped from petrol mechanic to working on trucks and love it . the company i work for offers more direction in sub streams such as gas ,hydraulics and pumping systems

Originally Posted by tapeworm

I'm on 650 a week as a 1st year..23 mature age and all

Well the guys I know work on heavy earthmoving machinery and the pay really isn't that special.

A lot of them have also moved over from working on trucks. Most of them get no more than $650 a week gross.

[The Yeti]

I went form cars to materials handeling then intermodal, the money got much better and to be honust I enjoyed the work a lot more Shounak your mates are geting shafted or only working 3 days a week the guys I know down in VIC earn alot more than that

[MotherNatureVer2]

Remember that being a heavy vehicle mechanic (fitter) allows you the option of going into the mining industry as well........

My eldest is 2nd yr diesel fitter in the mines & loves the work. He has grown up mucking around with car engines & always wanted to do heavy.

Good luck with it all but if you do want a change do it now while you can in your apprenticeship.

[The Yeti]

the fitters at the ports earn good money as well, and dont work too hard

[XPfalcon170]

I ended up doing light vehicle and am currently 3rd year. What i've been told by my tafe teacher is that after i complete my course, there is a heavy vehicle bridging course that i can do that goes for 18 months that allows me completion of the heavy vehicle tafe certificate. However, if i have to do 4 years working in a heavy shop to get the license i'm not too sure.

[macca13]

We have three fitters in the workshop that swapped over from the light vehicle shop after a while there is not much that they needed help with. The qualifications are the same. Most of there dramas come from hydraulics but you can do tafe courses for that and the rest comes from experience.

[BIGJB]

Ha... I still remember my 1st year diesel mech. The 1st motor we rebuilt was a Briggs 4 stroke.
Next one was a 202 red motor.
Both relevent to guys working on cats and alike.

[Green X]

Heavy Diesel is allot different to Automotive, Saying that I have a mate who is a Mechanical Fitter and he worked as a Truck Mechanic for 10 months with Bugger all Diesel and No truck Experience!

[thirsty]

I'm a heavy vehicle mechanic and we have had a couple of light mechs at my work over the years and i think it's the air systems (brakes and suspension) that they tend to need help with the most but it's not rocket surgery so you should get your head around it ok.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by Shounak

Well the guys I know work on heavy earthmoving machinery and the pay really isn't that special.

A lot of them have also moved over from working on trucks. Most of them get no more than $650 a week gross.

are these bloke's you know idiot's ??

inchassis $16~$18 grand; it takes me around 2.2 days
out of chassis $20~$22 grand around 6 days
oviously i prefer inchassis for the quick turn around.

[CAT600]

Originally Posted by Green X

Heavy Diesel is allot different to Automotive, Saying that I have a mate who is a Mechanical Fitter and he worked as a Truck Mechanic for 10 months with Bugger all Diesel and No truck Experience!

Agreed.

With current employment oppurtunities (especially in WA) even Hyundai mechanics are getting gigs on site.

Westrac are doing trade upgrades while you are employed there, so not only can you make 80K+ P.A. (in Perth), you come out with a heavy duty qualification.

Daniel

[CAT600]

Originally Posted by Shounak

Well the guys I know work on heavy earthmoving machinery and the pay really isn't that special.

A lot of them have also moved over from working on trucks. Most of them get no more than $650 a week gross.

So you are saying that they are on about $17 per hour?

Even the Award is higher than that. I am paying my other truck mechanic over double that, with a phone and all entitlements on top.

Daniel

Originally Posted by CAT600

So you are saying that they are on about $17 per hour?

Even the Award is higher than that. I am paying my other truck mechanic over double that, with a phone and all entitlements on top.

Daniel

Well these guys work for a small (3 mechanic) company servicing earth moving machinery.

I thought it was chicken feed as well. Fair enough if diesel mechanics can make much more than that.

But when I did truck work, a lot of the drivers were ex diesel mechanics. They say it really takes a toll on your back and if you stay in it long enough you'll end up with many problems. Hence why they moved onto driving.

[tapeworm]

Wow, its still alive. I have sent my resume to CAT and Scania as they are recruiting for 09'. Though i'm seriously considering moving north of Brisbane at the end of the year, does any one know good companies up that way? That's my life story thanks for listening

[Green X]

Originally Posted by CAT600

Agreed.

With current employment oppurtunities (especially in WA) even Hyundai mechanics are getting gigs on site.

Westrac are doing trade upgrades while you are employed there, so not only can you make 80K+ P.A. (in Perth), you come out with a heavy duty qualification.

Daniel

Really! If I didn’t just fill out all the Forms and do medicals for a FIFO Job I may have looked into that. I’m a Mechanical Fitter but have always had a keen interest in Heavy Diesel and did a few Units at night at Thornlie TAFE.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by tapeworm

Wow, its still alive. I have sent my resume to CAT and Scania as they are recruiting for 09'. Though i'm seriously considering moving north of Brisbane at the end of the year, does any one know good companies up that way? That's my life story thanks for listening

this may sound blasphemy!!!
but toll holding's.