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Occupational Title: Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician
Key Purpose: Diagnose, service and repair heavy equipment
Critical Work Function
9 Perform maintenance on  vehicle
 steering/chassis/suspension		 Occupational Skills, Knowledge and Conditions
Key Activities
Performance Criteria
Occupational Skills and Knowledge
Conditions
Those duties or task clusters that are necessary to perform each critical work function.
Specific demonstrable performance and standards that indicate when the key activity has been performed successfully.
Those skills and knowledge that are specific to the occupation, such as technical processes or procedures common across the occupation that are critical to the related key activity.
Tools, resources and equipment necessary to carry out key activities and their related performance criteria.




 KA
 9.1		 Inspect, diagnose, service, and repair steering system.
Number
Criteria
9.1.1
Perform steering system inspection to determine needed repairs.
9.1.2
Diagnose vehicle wandering, pulling, shimmy, and steering problems to determine needed repairs.
9.1.3
Inspect, remove, install/replace, and adjust steering linkage.
9.1.4
Diagnose, service, repair, and adjust steering column and related components.
9.1.5
Diagnose, service, repair, replace, and adjust steering axle.
9.1.6
Post-service performance indicates that components are performing at or above OEM specifications.
Knowledge of different types of steering systems

Understanding of steering system components and parts and their functions 

Knowledge of steering geometry

Understanding of how to toe, camber, caster, axle inclination, turning radius, and axle alignment affect steering systems

Knowledge and application of appropriate monitoring systems

Knowledge and usage of shop manuals and other appropriate documentation

 Using the following tools, resources, and equipment:

Common mechanic's hand tools

Appropriate service tools and equipment

Appropriate shop service manuals and other documentation
KA   9.2 Diagnose, service, repair, and adjust manual-steering gear.
Number
Criteria
9.2.1
Diagnose noise, binding, uneven turning effort, looseness, hard steering, and lubricant leakage of manual-steering gear.
9.2.2
Remove, repair, replace, and install manual-steering system components.
9.2.3
Diagnose, service, repair, replace, and adjust manual-steering system components (including transfer box/drive shaft).
9.2.4
Post-service performance indicates that components are performing at or above OEM specifications.
Knowledge of different types of manual-steering gears

Understanding of manual steering-gear components and parts and their function

Knowledge of steering-system components (gear worm pre-load, sector [cross] shaft, and gauge lash)

Knowledge and usage of shop manuals and other appropriate documentation

 Using the following tools, resources, and equipment:

Common mechanic's hand tools

Inch/pound torque wrench (as needed)

Appropriate shop service manuals and other documentation
KA
9.3		 Diagnose, service, and repair power-steering system components.
Number
Criteria
9.3.1
Diagnose, service, repair, replace, and adjust power-steering system for noises, steering binding, uneven turning effort, looseness, and hard steering.
9.3.2
Diagnose, service, repair, replace, and adjust power-steering system components for overheating, fluid leakage, and fluid aeration problems.
9.3.3
Diagnose, service, repair, replace, and adjust the air assist steering system and controls.
9.3.4
Post-service performance indicates that components performing at or above OEM specifications.
Knowledge of power-steering system components (gear systems, fluid types, filters, reservoirs, pumps, regulators, and coolers)

Understanding of power-steering problems (fluid overheating, fluid leakage, uneven turning effort, looseness, and hard steering)

Knowledge and usage of shop manuals and other appropriate documentation

Using the following tools, resources, and equipment:

Common mechanic hand tools

Spirit level

Appropriate shop service manuals and other documentation

Floor jack

Jackstands
KA
9.4		 Diagnose, service, and repair tires and wheels.
Number
Criteria
9.4.1
Diagnose and inspect tires for unusual wear patterns and vibrations.
9.4.2
Remove and replace tire and wheel assembly.
9.4.3
Inspect, repair, and install/replace mounting components.
9.4.4
Balance tire and wheel assembly.
9.4.5
Post-service performance indicates components performing at or above OEM specifications.
Knowledge of different types of tires and wheels

Understanding of proper wheel/tire maintenance (check for vibration, shimmy, run out, pressure, balance, and bearing/seal wear)

Knowledge and application of appropriate gauges

Knowledge and usage of shop manuals and other appropriate documentation

 Using the following tools, resources, and equipment:

Common mechanic's hand tools

Appropriate service tools

Appropriate shop service manuals and other documentation
KA
9.5		 Inspect, diagnose, service, and repair chassis and suspension system.
Number
Criteria
9.5.1
Inspect, service, and replace chassis and suspension components
9.5.2
Diagnose, service, repair, replace, and adjust air suspension components.
9.5.3
Post-service performance indicates components performing at or above OEM specifications.
Knowledge of chassis and suspension system components, parts, and their functions (springs, control bars, air bags, and struts)

Knowledge of different types of suspension systems

Knowledge and usage of shop manuals and other appropriate documentation

Using the following tools, resources, and equipment: 

Common mechanic's hand tools

Appropriate service tools

Appropriate shop service manuals and other documentation 
KA
9.6		 Diagnose, service, and repair coupling system.
Number
Criteria
9.6.1
Diagnose, service, and repair/replace coupling system.
9.6.2
Adjust coupling system.
9.6.3
Post-service performance indicates that components performing at or above manufacturer's specifications.
Knowledge of coupling system components and parts and their functions

Knowledge and usage of shop manuals and other appropriate documentation		 Using the following tools, resources, and equipment:

Common mechanic's hand tools

Appropriate service tools and testing equipment

Appropriate shop service manuals and other documentation
KA
9.7		 Diagnose, service, and repair miscellaneous chassis components.
Number
Criteria
9.7.1
Diagnose, service, and repair or replace cab suspension components.
9.7.2
Inspect, remove, and install/replace or repair frame components.
9.7.3
Diagnose, service, install/replace, or repair pusher/tag axle and lift controls.
9.7.4
Post-service performance indicates that components performing at or above OEM specifications.
Knowledge of miscellaneous chassis components, parts, and their function (such as cab jacks and locking devices)

Knowledge and application of frame repair techniques

Knowledge and usage of shop manuals and other appropriate documentation

Using the following tools, resources, and equipment:

Common mechanic's hand tools

Appropriate service tools and testing equipment

Appropriate shop service manuals and other documentation
KA 9.8
 Diagnose, service, and repair trailer chassis and suspension system.
Number
Criteria
9.8.1
Inspect, service, and replace king pin.
9.8.2
Diagnose, service, replace, and adjust trailer suspension system.
9.8.3
Align trailer axles.
9.8.4
Post-service performance indicates that components performing at or above OEM specifications.

Knowledge of trailer chassis and suspension-system components, parts, and their function

Knowledge and usage of shop manuals and other appropriate documentation
 Using the following tools, resources, and equipment:

Common mechanic's hand tools

Appropriate service tools and testing equipment

Appropriate shop service manuals and other documentation