As construction hardware advances, fundamental technical skills are still required

Discussion about the future of construction gear technicians and a few terms ascend to the surface: electrification, self-governing vehicles, virtual reality and augmented reality.

Computer repair technician skills, Job Description - FieldEngineer

However, many contend that even as construction machines advance, technicians will, in any case, need essential water-driven, electronic and mechanical knowledge.

"You're still going to have hydraulics and electronics," says Al Cevero, VP of construction, digging and utility for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. "Its vast majority remains the same."

"At this moment, there's nothing to replace the power and speed of a hydraulic cylinder," says Dave Wilson, Indiana product support manager for West Side Tractor Sales, a Deere seller settled in Naperville, Illinois.

"For years to come, there will be hydraulic pumps, hydrostatic pumps and hydraulic oil. Individuals still need to see how to understand schematics. There are as yet the essentials of understanding voltage, electricity, hydraulic stream, pressure and temperature, and how a diesel motor runs."

Advancing machines

From many points of view what's to come is already here. "There are now a huge amount of electronics and telematics on these machines," says Preston Wery, VP of Aring Equipment, a Volvo Construction Equipment vendor settled close to Milwaukee. "In addition to the fact that technicians need to know how to fix the machine, they should recognize what the end result should be, what the contractor is trying to achieve."