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

National
Hourly

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

Job Outlook Average

New job opportunities are likely in the future

Connecticut's 2034 Projected Employment

690

10% Change From 2024

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 or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
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.
Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
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.
Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
Show customers how to maintain equipment.
Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
Replace motors.
Sell parts and equipment.
Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
Grind, ream, rebore, and re-tap parts to obtain specified clearances, using grinders, lathes, taps, reamers, boring machines, and micrometers.
Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
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.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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.
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.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
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.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Strengths you may need in this role.

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