WHO ARE THEY? 
Dealer technicians are highly observant, detail oriented, dexterous
professionals who inspect, maintain, and repair equipment and engines.
They draw accurate conclusions about information provided by equipment
performance, data, and records to determine whether equipment is in need of
repair or replacement. They complete technical trainings, interpret complex
repair manuals, and adjust parts to precise specifications. Dealer technicians
are proficient with a variety of power, precision, and hand tools used to
maintain and repair equipment and machinery. They are able to use software
applications that assist with repair and maintenance work. They are able
to coordinate finger and hand movements to manipulate and adjust parts,
carry and move heavy equipment, and maintain balance while climbing on
and around machines and equipment. They are willing to work in a variety of
inside and outside work environments and wear protective equipment such
as hardhats and safety glasses. They may be on call and work, weekend, or
overtime shifts.

WHAT DO THEY DO? 
Dealer technicians perform scheduled maintenance and repairs to ensure
that a wide range of machines and equipment run reliably and efficiently.
This includes large trucks, machines and vehicles used at building and road
construction sites—such as bulldozers and cranes—power generators, marine
engines, and agricultural equipment. Dealer techs:
• Interpret data and use diagnostic tools to test instruments and parts
of equipment.
• Determine when equipment needs of repair, replacement, or
upgrade, and are able to disassemble and reassemble equipment to
address issues.
• Read complex manuals to learn repair procedures and utilize a
variety of hand and power tools to replace defective parts and
address problems.
• Conduct inspections to ensure completed work is up to standard, and
keep records of repair work.

In all of their work, dealer techs are required to follow rules and equipment
maintenance schedules established by both corporate and government
regulations and standards. They also must keep up to date on the latest
trends and innovations in the design of engines and equipment.

HOW DO I BECOME ONE? 
Dealer technicians have a high school diploma or GED. Entry-level dealer
service Technicians will participate in an apprenticeship or similar program that
includes on-the-job, classroom and online training. On-the-job training includes
everyday tasks performed in the shop, graduates of two-year associates’ or
Certification of Graduation from a Diesel or Automotive Technology program can
begin working immediately as entry-level technicians and will receive slightly
higher pay rewarding a post-secondary education but will still be required to
complete entry-level Caterpillar dealer training. Trainings focus on how to set
up, clean, lubricate, and start equipment, how to operate tools, weld, program
computers, and read blueprints.
Dealer techs need manual dexterity for working with small parts, mechanical
skills for disassembling and reassembling complicated machines and
equipment and troubleshooting skills for diagnosing and addressing issues
with equipment.