Agricultural Equipment Technician

Learn to repair, overhaul and maintain agricultural equipment including tractors, tillage equipment, seeding equipment and harvesting equipment. 

If you enjoy precise work, problem-solving and working with your hands, you'll enjoy a career as an agricultural equipment technician. SAIT offers apprenticeship education for periods 2 and 4.

You may specialize in service and repair of fuel injection pumps and injectors, engine overhaul, hydraulic systems, power shift transmissions or specific types of equipment (combines, forage harvesters, tractors, etc.).

In general, you will:

• service and repair engines, transmissions, hydraulic systems and the electrical and electronic systems of agricultural equipment
• pinpoint problems by discussing equipment operation with owners, visually checking and listening to machinery in operation and using testing equipment
• take defective units apart and repair or replace broken, worn-out or faulty parts, reassemble, adjust, lubricate and test repaired units
• assemble and adjust new agricultural equipment
• learn and apply precision farm technologies such as automated steering systems

Agricultural equipment technicians must keep up-to-date with new developments in the agricultural equipment field. 

This is a non-compulsory trade – individuals can work in the trade without certification if the employer deems the individual to have the skills of a journeyperson. However, individuals who are working in the trade and learning the trade must become a registered apprentice.

Is this the right fit for me?

The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working with their hands and who are capable of diagnosing a variety of complex mechanical, hydraulic and electrical problems. To be successful in the trade, agricultural equipment technicians need:

• mechanical ability and good eye-hand coordination
• the strength required to lift heavy machine parts
• the ability to read and understand technical information
• the ability to work independently with little supervision
• flexibility in working extra hours when required
• some experience in the agricultural industry
• math, communication and computer skills
• effective interpersonal skills in meeting the challenges of the workplace
• a valid driver's license
• a commitment to safe work habits

Credentials

Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Agricultural Equipment Technician is a Red Seal Endorsed trade – a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.