Although it’s not the most important part of your life, where you work and what you do for a living matters. That’s why making a career change is nothing to take lightly.
You deserve to do a job you’re proud of at a company that values its employees, invests in their development and ensures their success. That said, not every employer is cut from the same cloth. And, not every person is cut out for every job.
If you’re considering applying to become a service technician at RDO Equipment Co., there are several things you should know about this job before you do.
Over 50+ years, RDO Equipment Co. has hired hundreds of diesel technicians and equipment service personnel. Often, a career in our service department is a great fit for the people we hire. Let’s make sure it’s a great fit for you!
In this article, I’ll give you a rundown on what you can expect to experience and encounter as a service technician at RDO Equipment Co. That way, you can decide whether it’s time to lace up the boots and join your local RDO crew, or if another position might be a better fit.
What Does a Service Technician Do at RDO?
Service technicians are the foundation of everything we do as a large machinery dealership. These individuals are responsible for inspecting, diagnosing, documenting and repairing our customer’s construction, forestry, trucking and agriculture equipment.
This can mean any number of things — from repairing/replacing fuel injectors on a backhoe loader to fixing the electrical system on a utility tractor. If a customer has a machine to fix, service technicians are the people who do so.
Over time, as they gain skills, knowledge, experience and tenure, service techs at RDO Equipment can progress from Service Technician - Level 1 to Service Technician - Level 4. We also have internship and apprenticeship programs for younger technicians.
All service technicians report to a member of shop/store leadership.
A Typical Day as a Service Technician at RDO
As a service technician at RDO, you’ll constantly be working on something new. Whether you’re located at one of our construction/agriculture stores or in a hybrid location, you’ll see both kinds of equipment pull in the door — and more.
The duties you’ll perform on any given day will vary. But, you can expect to do all of these things:
- Inspecting and diagnosing equipment
- Documenting work and publishing work orders
- Building quotes and communicating with customers
- Repairing equipment
- Participating in training
- Inspecting and Diagnosing Equipment
Service technicians inspect new and used equipment to find any mechanical, electronic, cosmetic, technological and safety issues.
Whenever a customer brings in a piece of equipment, they’ll state a concern they’re having. From here, service techs are tasked with replicating the issue (this is typically done by running the machine) and then taking steps to troubleshoot it. Assisted by tools like John Deere Customer Service ADVISOR, technicians diagnose all underlying issues.
- Documenting Work and Publishing Work Orders
Diesel technicians are responsible for drafting up and publishing work orders. When complete, this document outlines what work was done and how it was accomplished. While performing the work, technicians must document what they did every step of the way.
- Building a Quote and Communicating With Customers
With the help of their service manager, technicians build out a rough estimate of what it will cost to perform the necessary repairs. This information is then handed off and communicated to the customer for final approval. After that, the work can begin.
Most of the time, whichever service technician starts working on a piece of equipment when it arrives (and does the troubleshooting) is responsible for fixing it. Regardless of what part of the machine needs attention, service technicians (once properly trained) will work on it. This includes addressing issues across all machine systems like:
- Engines
- Brakes
- Fuel
- Hydraulics
- Electrical
Using the proper tools, resources and parts, the best service technicians can fix every piece of every machine.
- Participating in Training
Things are constantly changing in the diesel technician industry. Manufacturers continue to innovate, safety practices improve and best practices change. This, coupled with the sheer amount of information there is to know, makes it essential that diesel technicians receive adequate, ongoing training.
At RDO, you’ll receive regular training to help you refine your skills as a technician. While formal training isn’t an everyday occurrence, expect to receive it at least once per year.
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Common Challenges Service Technicians Face at RDO
Like every other job, being a service technician isn’t without its challenges. Here at RDO, there are a handful of things you should know as you weigh whether this is the right job for you.
Here are four challenges you should expect to face as a service technician:
- It’s a fast-paced environment
- Safety must always be the top priority
- It can be a dirty work environment
- Communication issues can sometimes occur
Challenge #1) It’s a Fast-Paced Environment
RDO service shops are bustling places. Our stores perform repairs on thousands of machines every year. To do so, our service technicians are busy.
Sure, our workload changes based on the time of year, with business picking up in some months and slowing down in others. That said, our service technicians never have a shortage of work. This can be intimidating for someone who’s new to that kind of environment and is worth noting before you apply for a job.
Challenge #2) Safety Must Always Be The Top Priority
Ensuring a safe work environment for our technicians is our top priority. The systems we have in place and the personal protective equipment our technicians use are only a couple of ways we do this.
However, by its nature, heavy equipment and machinery can be dangerous to work on. Before you start a job as a service technician, you must understand safety always takes priority.
Challenge #3) It Can be a Dirty Work Environment
Another challenge you should not is that working in a service shop isn’t the cleanest environment. Dirt, debris, dust, grease, oil and even the occasional critter (mice, snakes) are part of the job. As such, be prepared to shower when you get home after work.
Challenge #4) Communication Issues Can Sometimes Occur
Communication issues can also be common within a service shop environment. As you get to know your bosses, coworkers and customers, these should become few and far between. That said, expect some communication problems as you would in most other jobs.
The Best Things about Working as a Service Technician at RDO
RDO takes pride in providing industry-leading work experience to all of its employees. As someone who’s been here for more than a decade, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. Among the reasons I continue to choose RDO every day and why I’d recommend it to you are:
- The variety of equipment you’ll work on
- The expertise around you
- The investment you’ll receive
- The Variety of Equipment You’ll Work On
RDO Equipment is known within its service areas as a premium provider of equipment maintenance services. As a technician here, you’ll get to work on all kinds of construction and agriculture equipment, from tractors and combines to skid steers, backhoes and graders. The exact equipment you'll work on depends on your location.
At RDO Equipment, there’s no shortage of expertise. Our commitment to employee training and career paths makes it easier for employees to start with us and stick around. As a result, you’ll find a ton of tenure within our service shops. In turn, this tenure creates a great learning atmosphere for service techs of all skill levels.
- The Investment You’ll Receive
One of our core values is to partner with employees. This takes many forms, including investing in their success. When our service technicians succeed the company succeeds. Expect to receive the resources, trainings and tools you need to be successful.
Who is an RDO Service Technician Career a Good Fit For?
Before you apply to become a technician at RDO Equipment, let’s talk about who is typically a good fit for these jobs. Service techs can come from all kinds of backgrounds and have varying skills when they step in the door.
Over my time here, however, the most successful service professionals have had these traits:
- Self-motivated and self-starting
- Well-organized
- Good communication skills (written and verbal)
- Hard-working
- Willing to learn
If you have these skills, or are willing to develop them, you’ll make a great service technician!
Should You Become a Service Technician at RDO Equipment Co.?
Service technicians are highly valued at RDO Equipment Co. As a growing company with more than 80 U.S. locations, there’s no shortage of opportunities for people considering one of our open service technician roles.
As a service tech, you’ll be responsible for inspecting and diagnosing equipment, working with customers, repairing machinery and writing up work orders. No two days are the same, which can be really exciting if you’re a self-starter who’s motivated by learning.
This job isn’t a great fit for everyone, however. If you’re looking for a job behind a desk, don’t want to work with your hands and aren’t willing to learn, you won’t be a good fit for RDO Equipment Co.
If not, continue your RDO journey by learning more about our five-step hiring process. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you have, we’re happy to help you in any way you need.
Greg Maurer
Greg has a rich history in the heavy equipment industry. Before transitioning into management in 2014, Greg was a field service technician for 19 years. Nine of these years were with RDO Equipment Co. where he impacted the progress of our company in Arizona through high-quality service and leadership. Today, as the general manager for our Tucson dealership, Greg leads a growing team of heavy equipment professionals and enjoys helping RDO customers succeed every day.
