Heavy Equipment Mechanics Wages and Jobs
The wages for heavy equipment mechanics varies from region to region. Nationally, the median wage for heavy equipment mechanics is $3,100 per month, which translates to $17.87 per hour. Generally, half of all heavy equipment mechanics earn from $2,530 and $3,710 per month, which amounts to $14.59 and $21.38 per hour.
Wages and benefits differ as per the employer. Sick leave, health insurance, vacation pay, and other such benefits are given to full-time mechanics.
The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, provides wage information. Further, the extent of this data on wages has been increased by the Fourth Quarter 2006 Employment Cost Index.
Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Generally, their job involves repairing machines that are used in construction, logging, and other industrial work. Because of safety requirements and adequate operation, the equipment needs to be maintained properly. If the equipment breaks down, it is examined for defects. Hand-held computers are usually used for the diagnosis of the components that need repair. In order to inspect or repair the various parts, they may disassemble the equipment. At times, to lift or move large parts, they make use of jacks or hoists.
Heavy equipment mechanics use gauges and meters to check parts for damage.
They either spray or soak these parts in solvents to clean them. They also oil or grease any parts that require it. Mechanics either replace or repair the damaged or worn parts. Hand tools are used to remove the parts, and to repair them, they use machine tools. Welding equipment is also used to solder broken parts or frames. Once the repair is complete the equipment is reassembled and tested by the mechanics for safety and performance.
When heavy equipment mechanics work in large repair shops, they are exposed to more complex kinds of repair jobs. For example, they may repair hydraulic pumps, fix electrical problems, rebuild engines, etc. Mechanics in large shops usually specialize in one or two types of work. For instance, a shop may have experts in major engine repair, electrical systems, brake systems, and transmission work.
Equipment such as graders, backhoes, and loading shovels are maintained and repaired by heavy equipment mechanics.
Working Conditions
. They may get exposed to hazardous equipment. The chances of getting injured are low. However, in the event of injuries, they will not be very serious.
. Sometimes they may need to go out and work on the site, and at other times they will need to work in the repair shop.
. According to the demands of the work, they may need to lie or stand in an awkward position in order to repair equipment.
. Sometimes they have to work in shops that are noisy and drafty. Such sounds and noise levels are uncomfortable.
. Some situations may lead to minor injuries like cuts or burns.
Physical Demands
People in this career generally have to be able to do the following:
. Have the ability to use one or two hands to hold, move, or assemble objects.
. Be flexible, bend, stretch, or reach out.
. Make precise and quick adjustments to machine tools.
. Use muscular strength in order to lift, push, pull, or carry objects, and also to jump, sprint, and throw objects.
Skills and Abilities
In this career, people need to analyze problems, using reason to solve them:
. First identify the problem and evaluate the information.
. Be able to detect when something goes wrong, or even sense if there are chances of something going wrong.
. Evaluate the possible benefits and costs of a possible course of action.
. Be able to study the solutions to various problems and analyze the effectiveness.
Knowledge
The mechanical knowledge of repairing, designing, and using tools and machines is a mandatory requirement in this career.
Preparation
To be a professional heavy equipment mechanic, you must:
. Complete a formal training program
. Complete on the job training
. Have mechanical aptitude and
. Have a high school diploma or GED.
Landscape Achitecture
Landscape architecture speaks for itself. You can see it in professionally-designed residential properties, public parks and playgrounds, parkways and golf courses. The purpose of landscape architecture is to create spaces that are functional and beautiful. Residential landscape architects plan the location of flowers, shrubs, and trees, and the arrangement of hardscape elements, such as outdoor water fountains, arbors and gazebos, and luxury swimming pools. They are also charged with designing and planning landscapes that suit the natural environment and conditions.
Landscape Architects: Background
Who can deliver landscape design? To become a landscape architect usually requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are two undergraduate professional degrees: a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture (BSLA). Typically, these degrees entail four or five years of study in design, construction techniques, art, history, and natural and social sciences.
For landscape architects seeking advanced degrees, there are two routes. Those who hold undergraduate degrees in landscape architecture can earn their Masters (MLA) in two years. If you hold an undergraduate degree in a field other than landscape architecture and want to go into landscape architecture, the MLA usually takes three years of full-time study.
In 2007, 61 U.S. colleges and universities offered 79 undergraduate and graduate programs in landscape architecture that were accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
The Steps
Working with home architects, surveyors, engineers and contractors, landscape architects help determine the best arrangement of the property’s elements. Landscape architects, in collaboration with these professionals, create detailed plans indicating new topography, vegetation, walkways, and other landscaping details, such as outdoor kitchens, gate placement and other decorative features.
In the preliminary stages, landscape architects first study the project as a whole. They consider the wants and needs of the homeowner and the available budget. They analyze the natural elements of the site, such as the climate, soil, slope of the land, drainage, and vegetation; observe where sunlight falls on the site at different times of the day and different times of the year; and assess the effect of the existing neighborhood, roads, walkways, and utilities.
The next step in the process is the conceptual design phase that develops out of the meeting notes, site analysis, program of uses, and the architect’s experience. At this conceptual level, a landscape architect conveys the overall design intent, such as the general use areas and their sizes, material choices, irrigation systems, drainage systems, lawn areas, and plantings. An overall cost study is developed from the conceptual landscaping design as well.
Once you have agreed on the overall design intent, sizes of use areas, general material selections and their applications, you are ready to begin the landscaping design development and construction phase. The documentation for this phase includes landscaping design drawings for permitting, drawings to convey final design intent, and construction documents, which include specifications for materials and their installation.
These drawings may be accompanied by a full package of additional drawings to include an existing site survey, elevation plan, a plan for tree disposition and tree preservation, landscape planting plan, landscape lighting plan, and construction details for the above plans.