Old and newer techs leaving and hardly any new ones willing to replace them.

[Auto Doc's]

As I slip past 60 years of age and still working hard, it has made me reflect on much of my past "hard times".

My goodness, If I had not learned my skills early in life as a troubleshooter and mechanic, I would be flat broke and begging for food and shelter on a daily basis. That, or living with my kin folks basically mooching from them and riding on their success in life.

I have also heard the phrase "This generation will never learn" many times over the years. Generations have passed and I have also witnessed through the years as it is slowly becoming a reality more and more. Less people are willing to put forth any effort to learn and be a productive member in society. Pride in workmanship is a rare trait anymore.

Why should they want to apply themselves when they have multiple avenues that will keep the afloat. Many have the mindset that they don't have to put forth any effort.

Quite a few of them I meet say "why do I need to learn this stuff? I'll never use it. They are totally missing the "big picture".

What happened to self-motivation, self-reliance and self-improvement as we age?

Most modern techs I come across are only interested in "riding the clock" to get a paycheck. Along with that, they bounce from job to job without actually learning the needed skills to be good at any job.

 

[slomo]

Most modern techs I come across are only interested in "riding the clock" to get a paycheck.

And playing on their phones all day long. Wasting time on MOWER FORUMS, oops like I am right now LOL.

 

[Auto Doc's]

If they are being proactive trying to research an issue to perform a proper repair, I would not have an issue with that.

 

[hlw49]

I am 75 years old will be 76 on the 23thrd. Worked in the industry 50 years but had to retire just after the first of the year due to health issues. Sure, wish I could continue to work. I am doing a little on the side and fixing and selling used mowers. Enjoy what you do while you can.

 

[StarTech]

A I is going to be able to everything. Besides they have us with installed USB ports so we instantly load the info we need.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

Let's see. 18250 days since the last time i needed to solve a quadratic equation. I think my high school math teacher lied to me. I think the auto shop class was more useful than algebra 3.

I made a good career being able to fix machines for almost 50 years. Had a manager once threaten to fire me for not being available for call outs 24/7 for no pay. He didn't like "no" but he was gone in a couple years. I was there 20 more.
50 years ago service techs in most industries were valued. Not any more. Corporations only care about how cheap they can get a warm body to hold the proper end of a screwdriver. The mower dealers around me don't pay squat for techs. Same for most industries.

 

[StarTech]

And shops don't trust a mechanic that say he do the work and just certification out the rear even through most I have attended are useless I usually know more than the instructor.

I even offered once the work a week and if I couldn't do the job they didn't pay me and I could quit. JD refused to take me up on the offer. So I went to work and two years later they were trying to hire. I said why as I already learn how to run my own business. That was 16 yrs ago.

 

[Auto Doc's]

I've got a huge stack of certifications, but they mean very little if the knowledge is not understood and applied.

Way too much of this so-called "certification" process has been pushed off to 1-hour videos and pass the 20 questions at the end. No practical application or real-world equipment diagnostics. It's all done sitting in a chair and clicking the computer mouse. The rest is OJT by trial and error. Many of the younger techs lack the patience to be working with small engine equipment.

I still get called in to shops from time to time for contract work mostly on AG tractors and equipment, but they are happy to also have me help resolve their backlog of mystery lawn equipment issues as well when I happen to already be there.

Several shops typically want to play "flat rate" labor guide hours games, and I will have nothing to do with that mess. If I'm there, it is strictly pay me by my straight "working hour" agreed rate regardless of how many units I work on. They can have the headaches sorting out how they want to bill it.

When I have a shop tech ask me about a repair, the first question I ask them is where the repair manual is and what have they tested? They are baffled because I did not provide an instant "off the top of my head" solution to their machine problem. Of course, there are some situations that a repair manual just does not cover. The problems are usually self-inflicted. That is where years of experience and system/component working knowledge come into play.

Example:

A young tech was working on a 25HP Kawasaki engine carb in a zero-turn. He pulled the carburetor off and completely disassembled it (down to the last screw) and put all the parts in an ultra-sonic wash for an hour.

He then reassembled and installed it only to find out that the idle was high and he had no low idle. He fiddled with it for about an hour and was completely baffled.

I was busy with a tractor job but watching over him and his dilemma. He was going to start messing with the governor adjustment until I stopped him. I told him to pull the carburetor back off. He was confused but pulled it back off.

It took less than a second to spot the problem. The throttle plate was not centered in the bore of the carburetor. I showed him by looking down the throat of the carburetor and seeing considerable daylight with the idle screw backed all the way out. I loosened the throttle plate screws and tapped the plate lightly so it would center then tightened it back down, the slow idle screw was adjusted just enough to test run the engine for final adjustment. He put the carburetor on and was amazed. A small adjustment to the slow idle and life was good.

His comment was priceless when he said, "I guess that's why you get paid the big bucks, huh". I just grinned and said next time don't take any carburetor apart any more than you have to. There is no good reason to remove a throttle plate for a routine cleaning.

 

[sgkent]

will be 75 in a couple weeks. Yes, we see it. I was with my dad when I was about 40, walking down one of a wide sidewalk and a 25 - 30 year old charged between us, guy, nipple rings, leather coat wide open, mohawk. My dad and I were kind and we each stepped aside to let him barrel thru. Both dad and I played tackle football in our youth, both were still athletic and either of us could have laid him flat and said oops. When he was well past us with his temper tantrum, whatever it was, I asked my dad, "is it a generational thing? Did my generation give yours grief like that?" Dad said, "no, some of you were more problems than others but in general no, the gap today is miles wide. You aren't the only one who sees it." So that generation has had children now, and they are the ones that many have been raised to expect someone to do it for them. I have three brothers. Two raised their kids to get er done, and don't whine about it. All the children from those two brothers do well, doctors, nurses, architects, building contractors. One brother did every thing for his kids. They run to mom and dad all the time for help because they can't do it without their mom and dad. If you look around you there are a few words that say it all - BudLight, CrackerBarrel, DixieChicks, Panera Bread. Need I say more. The Supreme Court chastised lower court judges a week ago and threatened contempt if they keep ignoring rulings. I spoke with a "progressive" friend about it. With fingers in his ears figuratively he said, "maybe the Supreme Court should be more clear in its rulings so people understand." I pulled the plug on our 60 year friendship. I too am done with the BS from people who expect someone else to pay their way. They can eat crows if they can catch them for all I care. Plenty of wild hogs need culling so there is plenty of meat around other than crow. Dandelions can make a good salad cause that is where they are headed. It has been a long time coming in all professions, not just with mechanics and repair shops.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

will be 75 in a couple weeks. Yes, we see it. I was with my dad when I was about 40, walking down one of a wide sidewalk and a 25 - 30 year old charged between us, guy, nipple rings, leather coat wide open, mohawk. My dad and I were kind and we each stepped aside to let him barrel thru. Both dad and I played tackle football in our youth, both were still athletic and either of us could have laid him flat and said oops. When he was well past us with his temper tantrum, whatever it was, I asked my dad, "is it a generational thing? Did my generation give yours grief like that?" Dad said, "no, some of you were more problems than others but in general no, the gap today is miles wide. You aren't the only one who sees it." So that generation has had children now, and they are the ones that many have been raised to expect someone to do it for them. I have three brothers. Two raised their kids to get er done, and don't whine about it. All the children from those two brothers do well, doctors, nurses, architects, building contractors. One brother did every thing for his kids. They run to mom and dad all the time for help because they can't do it without their mom and dad. If you look around you there are a few words that say it all - BudLight, CrackerBarrel, DixieChicks, Panera Bread. Need I say more. The Supreme Court chastised lower court judges a week ago and threatened contempt if they keep ignoring rulings. I spoke with a "progressive" friend about it. With fingers in his ears figuratively he said, "maybe the Supreme Court should be more clear in its rulings so people understand." I pulled the plug on our 60 year friendship. I too am done with the BS from people who expect someone else to pay their way. They can eat crows if they can catch them for all I care. Plenty of wild hogs need culling so there is plenty of meat around other than crow. Dandelions can make a good salad cause that is where they are headed. It has been a long time coming in all professions, not just with mechanics and repair shops.

I appreciate hearing from you guys, and your life experience and mechanic experience. I am 59 and this is my fourth career (small engines), so don’t have the many years of experience some mechanics have.

Turning a wrench correctly is one thing, however, running a shop, and all the different tasks of being self-employed, is a whole other level. How many good solid mechanics have good solid customer service skills and common sense business skills?

In general, people today many times, are lacking certain qualities that are needed to be excellent at their craft. Lack of discipline, lack of self motivation, no real thirst for knowledge are a few to begin with. We have it so good as a society, that we have gotten soft, and have lost our hustle. People 40 years old and younger don’t seem to want to get their hands dirty. You have to dive in a blue collar job head first and embrace the scrapes, sore muscles, sweat, and climate you are working in. I am hot in the summer, and cold in the winter. Working on equipment is not an easy job.

Who knows what the future will hold for electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, HVAC, etc.
Today all we can do is our best, always keep your integrity, and take care of the customer.