Description
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics repair, troubleshoot, adjust, overhaul and maintain mobile heavy-duty equipment used in construction, transportation, forestry, mining, oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, farming and similar activities. They are employed by companies which own and operate heavy equipment, and by heavy equipment dealers, rental and service establishments, railway transport companies and urban transit systems. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Job Titles
- Agricultural equipment technician
- Construction equipment mechanic
- Diesel mechanic – heavy equipment
- Farm equipment mechanic
- Heavy equipment mechanic
- Heavy mobile logging equipment mechanic
- Heavy mobile mining equipment mechanic
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanic apprentice
- Heavy-duty equipment technician
- Locomotive mechanic
- Tractor mechanic
Main Duties
- Check bulldozers, cranes, graders and other heavy construction, agricultural, logging and mining equipment for proper performance and inspect equipment to detect faults and malfunctions
- Diagnose faults or malfunctions using computerized and other testing equipment to determine extent of repair required
- Adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components or systems, using hand and power tools
- Test repaired equipment for proper performance and to ensure that work meets manufacturers’ specifications
- Clean, lubricate and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment
- Service attachments and working tools such as harvesting and tillage equipment, blades, ploughs, winches and side booms
- May perform repair work on heavy trucks
- May attach components and adjust new farm equipment.
Workplaces
- Companies that own and operate heavy equipment
- Heavy equipment dealers
- Heavy equipment rental and service establishments
- Railway transport companies
- Urban transit systems
Skills
- Equipment and Tool Selection
- Preventative Maintenance
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Operation and Control
Abilities
- Control of Settings
- Finger Dexterity
- Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Manual Dexterity
Personal Attributes
- Adaptability
- Analytical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Collaboration
- Independence
Similar Occupations
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (72400)
- Motor vehicle diesel engine mechanic (in 72410.01 Automotive service technicians)
Source: OaSIS
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook will be Good for heavy-duty equipment mechanics (NOC 72401) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
- Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
- A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
- There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics continue to be in strong demand across P.E.I., employed in construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and repair/maintenance services. Sustained construction activity—particularly in residential housing, engineering projects, and utility developments—will require ongoing support from mechanics to service heavy machinery. Agriculture remains another steady source of demand, as equipment servicing is essential year‑round.
For new graduates or career seekers, prospects are strongest for those with formal training, Red Seal certification, and adaptability to advanced technologies, as the growing use of electronic and robotic components in industrial equipment is reshaping the trade. The overall demand for mechanics is expected to remain stable and favourable, with opportunities for specialization and mobility across industries.
Here are some key facts about Heavy-duty equipment mechanics in Prince Edward Island:
- Approximately 250 people work in this occupation.
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics mainly work in the following sectors:
- Construction (NAICS 23): 34%
- Other services (except public administration) (NAICS 81): 20%
- Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 19%
- Agriculture (NAICS 111, 112, 1151, 1152): 15%
- Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 5%
- 73% of heavy-duty equipment mechanics work all year, while 27% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
- 11% of heavy-duty equipment mechanics are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
- The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
- Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations
- Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations
- The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
- no high school diploma: 17% compared to 11% for all occupations
- high school diploma or equivalent: 21% compared to 28% for all occupations
- apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 36% compared to 11% for all occupations
- college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 17% compared to 25% for all occupations
- bachelor’s degree: n/a
- university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Source: Job Bank
Prevailing Wages
| AREA | LOW | MEDIAN | HIGH |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEI | $19.00 | $28.00 | $38.46 |
| Canada | $23.87 | $37.12 | $55.00 |
Training
There are no known training programs for this occupation in PEI. If you are aware of a local training program, please contact us.