Nestorbot
Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7233

Agricultural machinery technician

An agricultural machinery technician is a person who repairs, overhauls and maintains farm equipment: tractors, field machinery, seeding equipment and harvesting equipment.

Check your gapsCheck yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 33/100 (low risk)

Check yourself in a minute: agricultural machinery technician

Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

operate welding equipment

record test data

perform test run

conduct routine machinery checks

use testing equipment

About agricultural machinery technician

The agricultural equipment technician starts by assessing the state of a machine. Routine machine checks and regular maintenance inspections are carried out, oils, filters and wearing parts replaced, and clearances, pressures and the tightness of systems checked. Preventive maintenance is carried out as well, to keep breakdowns down.

For fault finding, the technician uses testing equipment: reading hydraulic system pressure, pulling codes from controllers, checking injection and the electrical installation, and recording the test data. Technical resources are consulted — schematics, manuals, manufacturer data — and used to trace the cause of a fault and decide on the repair.

After a repair the technician runs test trials: starting the machine, checking how it behaves under load, and only then handing it back to the farmer. The work rests on a sound knowledge of mechanics. Repairs range from routine servicing to full overhauls of tractors, field, seeding and harvesting equipment.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a agricultural machinery technician.

1

Equipment Diagnosis and Troubleshooting

  • Diagnose equipment malfunctions and identify root causes of failures
  • Use testing equipment and diagnostic tools to assess equipment condition
  • Consult technical resources and manuals to troubleshoot complex problems
2

Maintenance and Preventive Care

  • Conduct routine machinery checks and inspections on tractors and farm equipment
  • Perform preventive maintenance activities to extend equipment lifespan
  • Maintain agricultural machinery according to manufacturer specifications and schedules
3

Repair and Component Restoration

  • Repair equipment faults and replace damaged components
  • Perform welding and soldering operations for equipment repair and assembly
  • Overhaul complex machinery systems including engines and hydraulic systems
4

Testing and Performance Evaluation

  • Perform test runs on repaired equipment to verify functionality
  • Record test data and equipment performance metrics
  • Evaluate equipment performance after maintenance or repair work
5

Documentation and Technical Compliance

  • Document maintenance activities and repair history for equipment tracking
  • Maintain records of service performed and parts replaced
  • Ensure compliance with safety regulations during maintenance operations
6

Equipment Support and Advice

  • Provide guidance to farmers on proper equipment operation and maintenance
  • Advise on equipment upgrades and replacement of worn or obsolete parts
  • Recommend maintenance schedules and best practices for equipment care

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.operate welding equipmentoperate welding equipmentUse welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, wearing protective eyewear during the working process.record test datarecord test dataRecord data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptiona...perform test runperform test runPerform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, ...conduct routine machinery checksconduct routine machinery checksCheck machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.use testing equipmentuse testing equipmentUse equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.perform maintenance on installed equipmentperform maintenance on installed equipmentPerform the maintenance on installed equipment on-site. Follow procedures to avoid uninstalling equipment from machinery or vehicles.perform machine maintenanceperform machine maintenancePerform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.consult technical resourcesconsult technical resourcesRead and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.operate soldering equipmentoperate soldering equipmentUse soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.agricultural equipmentagricultural equipmentThe offered agricultural machinery and equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.maintain agricultural machinerymaintain agricultural machineryMaintain agricultural facilities and equipment in order to ensure that it is clean and in safe, working order. Perform routine maintenance on equipment and adjust or repair when necessary, using hand ...resolve equipment malfunctionsresolve equipment malfunctionsIdentify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
Optional (24) — show
hydraulicshydraulicsThe power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.electrical wiring planselectrical wiring plansPictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the...operate agricultural machineryoperate agricultural machineryOperate motorised agricultural equipment including tractors, balers, sprayers, ploughs, mowers, combines, earthmoving equipment, trucks, and irrigation equipment.ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.advise on safety improvementsadvise on safety improvementsProvide relevant recommendations following the conclusion of an investigation; ensure that recommendations are duly considered and where appropriate acted upon.maintain electrical equipmentmaintain electrical equipmentTest electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as r...dispose of hazardous wastedispose of hazardous wasteDispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.install electrical and electronic equipmentinstall electrical and electronic equipmentInstall equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes sw...install hydraulic systemsinstall hydraulic systemsInstall systems and components that use liquid fluid power to create mechanical movements such as hydraulic pumps, valves, hydraulic motors, hydraulic cylinders and other elements that power hydraulic...estimate restoration costsestimate restoration costsEstimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.install pneumatic systemsinstall pneumatic systemsInstall systems and components that use pneumatics to create mechanical movements such as air brakes, pneumatic cylinders, air compressors and other systems.assemble machinesassemble machinesPut together devices, and components according to drawings. Program and install the components where needed.maintain hydraulic systemsmaintain hydraulic systemsPerform routine maintenance and repairs on systems which use pressurised fluids to provide power to machines and equipment.maintain air conditioning systemsmaintain air conditioning systemsService and repair air conditioning systems on various types of agricultural equipment including tractors and harvesters.provide customer information related to repairsprovide customer information related to repairsInform customers about necessary repairs or replacements, discuss products, services and costs, include accurate technical information.prepare compliance documentsprepare compliance documentsPrepare documents with legal value which prove that an installation or a facility is conform to the regulations.maintain electronic equipmentmaintain electronic equipmentCheck and repair electronic equipment. Develop maintenance tasks on electronic equipment. Detect malfunction, locate faults and take measures to prevent damage.issue sales invoicesissue sales invoicesPrepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and...write records for repairswrite records for repairsWrite records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.pneumaticspneumaticsThe application of pressurised gas to produce mechanical motion.apply technical communication skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

forge equipment technician11 shared essential skillsheating and ventilation service installer10 shared essential skillsrefrigeration air condition and heat pump technician10 shared essential skillstextile machinery technician10 shared essential skillsconstruction equipment technician9 shared essential skillsheating technician9 shared essential skillsmoulding machine technician9 shared essential skillsmedical device engineering technician8 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does an agricultural machinery technician do?

Agricultural machinery technicians repair, overhaul and maintain agricultural equipment including tractors, tillage equipment, seeding equipment and harvesting equipment. They perform evaluations of the equipment, perform preventive maintenance activities and repair faults.

What skills does an agricultural machinery technician need?

An agricultural machinery technician needs 13 essential skills, including mechanics, operate welding equipment, record test data, perform test run, conduct routine machinery checks.

Will AI replace agricultural machinery technician jobs?

The AI disruption score for agricultural machinery technician is 33/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: issue sales invoices, record test data, order supplies. Most resilient: install electrical and electronic equipment, operate welding equipment, maintain hydraulic systems.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupMetal, machinery and related trades workers
Essential Skills13

What are you missing to work as agricultural machinery technician?

The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.

Check your gaps