Diesel Fitter Career Description
Diesel fitters are responsible for the maintenance and repair of diesel engines. The applications of engines varies from those used on vehicles, for example, earth-moving equipment, tractors and trucks, to generator engines, engines for large machinery, pumps, drill-rigs and even in marine installations.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Diesel fitters must be able to detect faults and then repair and maintain engines with a wide variety of applications. Manuals are used in the course of this work.
The work of diesel fitters involve accurate measurement of parts in order to ascertain the extent of the damage and the wear and tear of the parts concerned, also to rectify the causes of such damage. They must be familiar with various types of measuring instruments such as micrometers, tachometers as well as engine dynamometers. Sometimes diesel fitters are able to repair parts, but generally they have to be replaced.
An integral part of diesel engines are the fuel
injection system and diesel fitters are.
particularly concerned with its care. Much of the work performed by diesel fitters are done accurately according to strict specifications as even the smallest deviation can influence the working of the engine negatively. Diesel fitters test the engine thoroughly before it is returned to the owner.
Diesel fitters use a number of hand and machine tools such as spanners; torque wrenches and specialised testing equipment. Although diesel fitters sometime work outside, most work take place in a workshop. The work is not always clean, but this must be accepted as part of the conditions under which diesel fitters work. The fuel-injection equipment is, however, kept in a sealed, dustfree room as even the least bit of dust can influence the apparatus.
A course in basic welding is also prescribed for the diesel fitter including oxygen, fuel, gas and arc welding. Battery care, maintenance operation and testing are important facets of the training of diesel fitters.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
Diesel fitters work with delicate apparatus and should therefore have good manual dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination. They must also have good technical knowledge and an understanding of the machinery surrounding the diesel engine.
Diesel fitters sometime listen to the engine in order to diagnose problems and therefore good hearing is also important. Physical strength may be required for picking up heavy apparatus and parts of the diesel engine.
Good skills in customer care are also important.
Where can I work?
Employment opportunities exist throughout the country where diesel engines are in use. Skills learnd by diesel fitters during their apprenticeship could lead to other challenging occupations, such as quality control training, supervisory or technical managing positions.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Diesel fitters can start their own business if they have the necessary funds and machinery.
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