Forklift Mechanic Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This is the detailed documentation of the forklift mechanic job description, which outlines major duties and responsibilities, qualification requirements, skills, and employment outlook.

Whether one aims to be a forklift mechanic or an employer looking to develop a professional job description for the role, this documentation will be worth its weight in gold.

What Does a Forklift Mechanic Do?

A forklift mechanic mainly diagnoses, repairs, and maintains forklifts and other industrial trucks.

Whether it’s a minor or serious problem in the mechanical parts of a forklift, the specialists make sure that the forklifts are in the best operating conditions.

Their work ranges from routine checks and preventive maintenance to more complex repairs involving the engine and replacement of parts.

They typically report to a maintenance supervisor or to the head of the maintenance department.

Within larger organizations, they report to either a fleet manager or an operations manager.

Although they perform their work independently for the most part, they highly coordinate their activities with other members of the maintenance team to ensure that all equipment is running effectively.

The industries in which the mechanics of forklifts find their place include warehousing and distribution, manufacturing, construction, retail, and other logistics and transportation industries.

Typically, forklift mechanics have a high school diploma or GED. Most employers favor applicants who have finished a diesel or automotive technology post-secondary program.

Specialized training in forklift repair is available through technical schools and community colleges.

In addition to education, experience also plays a vital role.

It is possible to get hands-on experience through apprenticeship and on-job training.

Most employers require certification by recognized bodies, such as the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or a forklift-specific certification like the Certified Forklift Technician (CFT).

The core functions of a forklift mechanic include diagnosing electrical and mechanical problems, as well as performing engine repair, hydraulics, brakes, and electrical preventive maintenance to keep forklifts in good condition.

Other duties they carry out also include testing and calibration of equipment for safety and performance to standards, and keeping records of all repairs, services, and inspections done.

Additional responsibilities outside the core function of a forklift mechanic’s job include:

• Fleet management, which consists of tracking inventory and maintenance scheduling for equipment
• Training of operators in proper forklift use to avoid accidents and equipment damage
• Ordering the necessary parts for repairs
• Performing safety checks to ensure that the forklift meets minimum safety requirements.

The importance of a forklift mechanic relates to the country’s structure by the use of industrial machinery, the size of its manufacturing industry, and the scale of its logistics industry.

In countries with a very strong industrial sector, like the United States, Germany, and China, the services of forklift mechanics are in high demand.

In less industrially developed countries, the importance may not be as large, but the role is very important within certain industries.

The important qualities that employers generally look for in a forklift mechanic include problem-solving skills for diagnosing and repairing sophisticated mechanical problems, attention to detail in order to ensure that repairs and maintenance are comprehensive and accurate, and physical stamina to engage in arduous work.

Other qualities include communication skills for articulating one’s needs to other team members and supervisors, and flexibility to work with different types of forklifts and equipment.

For forklift mechanics, most of the regulations in doing business are through the federal agency known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, which sets minimum standards required in workplaces.

Many employers also require or prefer certification by the Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE.

The state or region one is working in may also have other licensing or regulations applying to workers.

Forklift Mechanic Job Description Example/Sample/Template

The role and responsibilities of a forklift mechanic can range from anything general.

Some of the important duties, tasks, and responsibilities that commonly make up the job description of a forklift mechanic include:

• Conduct routine inspection of forklifts to note possible problems
• Diagnose issues in both mechanical and electrical systems, applying the use of diagnostic tools
• Repair or replace faulty components such as engines, brakes, hydraulics, and electrical
• Carry out regular and preventive maintenance work, such as oil changes, replacement of filters, and tire checking
• Conduct tests on forklifts once repairs have taken place to verify that they meet both performance and safety standards
• Do the proper recording of all work done for maintenance and repair
• Replace parts by ordering them and keeping an inventory of those most essential components
• When the issues are more complex, work with other mechanics and maintenance personnel to resolve them
• Train operators of forklifts on the operation and simple maintenance
• Ensure that systems are optimized through the calibration of forklifts
• Check and test all the safety systems-for example, alarms and seat belts-to confirm that regulatory demands are met
• Troubleshoot and repair hydraulic systems, pumps, cylinders, and hoses
• Replace worn-out tires and wheels
• Align and adjust the steering system for safe operation
• Charge, clean, and replace batteries
• Replace a forklift frame and body in case of any damage
• Attachment installation and setup: forks, clamps, and booms
• Fix the exhaust system to ensure the forklifts meet the emission standards
• Weld and fabricate as needed to complete jobs in repair of units
• Fleet management: Schedule maintenance, note equipment usage
• Perform emergency repairs when any equipment breaks down
• Follow OSHA regulations and other standards that guarantee safety
• Source high-quality replacement parts with suppliers and vendors
• Perform electrical system repairs like wiring, lighting, and ignition systems
• Engage in continuing education in updated forklift technologies and methods of repair.

Forklift Mechanic Job Description for Resume

If you are making a new resume or CV as someone who has worked before or presently working as a forklift mechanic, you can create a compelling Professional Experience section for your resume or CV by applying the above sample forklift mechanic job description.

You can highlight the duties and responsibilities that you have performed or currently carrying out as a forklift mechanic in your resume’s Professional Experience by applying the ones provided in the job description example above.

This will show to employers/recruiters that you have been successful performing the forklift mechanic duties and responsibilities, which can boost your chances of being hired, especially if the job that you are seeking requires someone with some forklift mechanic work experience.

Forklift Mechanic Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

Forklift mechanics have a wide array of skills, knowledge, and capabilities that they should have to help them effectively carry out their work.

Some of the most critical ones include:

• Technical skills: Diagnose and repair mechanical and electrical systems
• Mechanical knowledge: Familiarity with the operation of the engine, hydraulics, and other systems in the forklift
• Problem-solving skills: Quickly and efficiently troubleshoot issues and solve them
• Attention to detail: Ensure all repairs and maintenance work are carried out accurately
• Physical stamina: The job is physically demanding. The lifting of heavy parts is required. It also required working in tight spaces
• Communication skills: Clearly describe problems and solutions to supervisors and operators
• Time management: Establish priorities and manage time efficiently, even when the schedule is packed
• Safety awareness: Knowledge of safety regulations; able to work safely at all times
• Adaptability: Mechanics must be able to handle different types of forklifts; besides, it is mandatory to learn new techniques that allow for repairing the same in the shortest time possible
• Teamwork: Ability to work in a team with other mechanics, operators, and supervisors.

Forklift Mechanic Employment

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, forklift mechanics fall into the category of heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians, whose main function is to inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery that are used in construction, farming, and other industries.

Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians held about 259,300 jobs in 2023 according to the BLS.

Employments in the occupations that make up heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians are distributed as follows:

• Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines: 191,100
• Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians: 48,000
• Rail car repairers: 20,200

Employment by Industry

The largest employers of heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians in the United, according to the BLS 2023 report were as follows:

Forklift Mechanic Employment by Industry

Even though many service technicians work indoors in repair shops, however, others travel to worksites to perform repairs, given the fact that it is often too costly to bring heavy or mobile equipment to a shop.

Field service is often performed by more experienced service technicians.

Employment by State

According to Zippia, the States that employ the most forklift mechanics in the United States include California and Texas, with 1,942 and 1,585 employments respectively.

Forklift Mechanic Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows in its May, 2023 data that the median annual salary for heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians was $61,000.

The average annual wages for heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians in May 2023 were as follows:

• Rail car repairers: $65,030
• Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines: $61,900
• Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians: $49,210

Salary by Industries

According to the BLS, as of May 2023, median annual wage for heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians in the top industries in which they are employed are as follows:

Forklift Mechanic Salary by Industries

Most heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians work full time with many working evenings or weekends. Overtime is common.

Salary by State

According to Zippia, Alaska and North Dakota are States that pay the highest salaries to forklift mechanics in the U.S.  with average yearly salaries of $54,555 and $47,814 respectively.

Conclusion

The forklift mechanic job is technically and physically demanding, requiring problem-solving skills.

For this reason, the professional bears immense importance with regard to industrial productivity and safety.

This guide expounds on the major responsibilities of a forklift mechanic, the qualifications required for the task, and career paths.

Aspiring mechanics should invest in education, hands-on experience, and certification, while employers need to develop thorough job descriptions to attract top talent.

Through knowledge of all the fine details in this position, both an employer and employee could make informed decisions that could eventually lead to a safe and productive work environment.