All careers

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.

What you’d do

  • Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
  • Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
  • Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
  • Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
  • Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
  • Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
  • Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
  • Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.

Skills that matter

  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Repairing
  • Troubleshooting
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Equipment Selection

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Mechanic
  • Outdoor Power Equipment Service Technician
  • Service Technician (Service Tech)
  • Small Engine Mechanic
  • Chainsaw Technician
  • Golf Cart Mechanic

Related careers

See all careers

  • Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

    Repair, maintain, or install electric motors, wiring, or switches.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

    Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Motorcycle Mechanics

    Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Engine and Other Machine Assemblers

    Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as construction…

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one