r/DieselTechs

Looking for a home every night job. Have spent 20 years in the oilfield on industrial engines. Looking to switch it up now. Have a young family and would like to be home more

Finning tech
Brandt tech
Truck dealer ship like Peter built
Trucking fleet company
Municipality/county mechanic
Forklift tech (seems to pay well and can’t see it being that hard of work)
Marine mechanic on ferries

Open to other idea also!

I want to become a heavy equipment mechanic, recently got offered a job to become a forklift mechanic, is it worth it to start or should I look elsewhere

Dial Indicator finally busted. What’s a good brand to buy? Do you pay for what you get when it comes to these gages?. Need it for semi trailer wheel ends if it matters

What’s up everybody, I been a diesel tech for 10 years, I’m thinking about switching to hvac. I’m looking for some insight, anybody in here has ever done that? If so how has your experience been.

Seems like lately our shop has done an above average amount lately and not on the same trucks.

My buddy at a shop nearby said they've done quite a few more than normal as well.

Anymore of you seen more than usualy lately?

I know recently they've change the way they're installed and yokes can be off center to eachother and theres a new procedure with a certain type of retaining compound and cure time. Could this be contributing to more failures or is it just luck of the draw where I am lol

Professional opinion are very appreciated. I am 23 years old in Arizona and grew up welding and working on trucks because my father was a mechanic when I turned 18 i took the welding route.
But now I want to switch back to automotive preferably diesel. Welding does not have a high pay in my area compared to being a diesel tech. I didn't go to school for it. Which brings me into my next question if I should I go diesel tech school in my area (NOT UTI) there is a better more affordable one in my area. But growing up I have replaced engines and transmissions on my projects truck and about everything else that can go wrong on my daily. But all them were gas not diesel. I'm was pretty straight forward with places in area with everything but can't get a place to get back. I don't have a high lifestyle by any means but I frankly don't know if I can live off minimum wage has a lube tech or tire tech. If I go to Deisel tech school will that be a way to get my foot in the door has a bottom level apprentice at least.
Because from the welding field no experience and just school was no go for most places l've been at and all my co workers were like me and didn't go to a school. So will a technical school be good to get me in. Or will the school but no experience combo deter most of the places. Please let me know how much of your coworkers went to school or started off has a lube tire tech

Hey guys,

I’m currently a school bus driver but going to school to become a diesel tech. It’s a 1 year certificate program at UAF CTC. Was wondering if it’s realistic to get a job straight out of school or if I’ll need some experience. If so, what’s a good way of gaining experience? Thanks.

Im 22 years old so still pretty young and I have been working on trucks for the past 6 years but i recently got offered a position to work at a company that works on the shuttle busses airlines use to transport people at the airport. The majority have 6.7 cummins in it so its still Diesel I just have never done any other diesel work other than trucks I was wondering if anyone has made the switch or has experience in it and can tell me the differences and similarities between the two

Newly starting out heavy diesel tech. Curious about if you guys enjoy Snap On’s CT 9080 or Milwaukee’s half inch more and why

Wassup everyone I am 20 years old and I start my career at a Peterbilt dealership May 18, 2026, so it's my last week at school and my other part time job. I'm still in school but I'll be working throughout the week and come to school on Fridays. Share you guy's experiences with me what's the pros and cons of the trade, also what are some tips I can use I appreciate any comments.

I used a dial indicator on a freightliner cascadia today and measured .009 thousandths king pin play. From what I'm seeing on the Internet people are saying that's fine. What are y'all's opinions? The other side had essentially no play. Possibly 1 or 2 thousandths so I didn't bother to put a dial indicator on it. Any insights would be appreciated greatly.