Last week, heavy equipment technician Avinash Narine-Jaikaran answered a few questions about his training. This week, we will learn more about his work and his daily reality.
What would you say is the main or most common challenge you are faced with at work?
Sometimes, the main challenge is dealing with the machine itself. Not everything we work on is new and clean. In many cases, the equipment we receive is packed with dirt, salt, or filth (i.e.: a garbage removal machine). When a job doesn’t go as smoothly as planned, it can be frustrating because it feels as though you’re taking one step forward and two steps back. I can get frustrated when working on parts isn’t as simple as I’d imagined. But other than that, the work is pretty straightforward.
Are new technologies making your work easier?
Yes, they make it easier for technicians to perform diagnostics. Most older machines don't have a lot of electronics and sensors, but the newer machines are loaded with them. Almost every single part of the machine has a sensor or electronic on it. So troubleshooting is a lot easier on newer machines than on the older ones. Sometimes, it’s a win-lose situation because you can easily diagnose a machine, but have trouble repairing it. For example, older machines used to have 3 ECM (Electronic Control Module), but newer ones can have 17 ECM[HL1] , so that can make things more complicated.
Do you have an anecdote or a story to share?
It’s a not a story per se, but something that sticks with me. When we have our morning discussion, we will sometimes hear about events that happened in other branches, on customer sites, or to our colleagues. Most of the time, these stories involve challenges techs faced or accidents that happened, but they always make me think about how I should handle those particular tasks. I remember the story of a tech who didn’t lift the machine correctly or a tech who didn’t perform a task the correct way, and
that really clicks for me. Sometimes, we hear horror stories of people who got severely injured. We work with big machines, heavy loads, and moving parts, which all represent a few risks. Personally, I haven't dealt with any major problem or accident, and I'm happy about that. But I register everything I hear!
How would you qualify the safety standard at Toromont?
I think Toromont places a heavy emphasis on safety, and this is especially apparent when a new tech joins the team. They are always a bit surprised by the measures we have to take (what we have to wear, the processes we have to follow, etc.). We have to develop certain practices and adopt new habits, and soon enough, these safety measures become second nature to us. Toromont is very diligent when it comes to safety, and we are all encouraged to take a step back to see how we can improve safety even more the next time around. Safety is definitely an important aspect here, and we talk about it a lot; whether it’s through sharing our experiences, analyzing incidents, or getting corporate training. It’s a constant.
What do you like the most about your work?
I love the environment and I love the people I work with. Enjoying the people and the atmosphere is an important factor to me. I have no hesitation to ask someone a question or ask them for help. The people I work with that make my day go by a lot faster, which is really important to me.
In your tasks, what do you prefer doing?
I love working on engines. That's my go-to.
What do you think machine owners should know about?
Cleaning and maintaining their machines make a big difference in the long run. I think that's the biggest advice I have for our customers – to keep an eye on maintenance, make sure their machines are in good working order, and don’t let any small issues get bigger. Basically, inc
rease the longevity of your machine by making sure maintenance is done on a regular basis. This is a really important. I’ve had many experiences where a machine came into the shop to be taken apart, and the repair took much longer and was more expensive because parts seized or pins were not greased. The less the machine has been maintained, the more work it will need.
If you were given a free Cat machine of your choice, what would it be?
I would probably pick the biggest loader they have, which is the 994, I think. Loaders are amazing machines, I love them.
Do you have any final words about being a heavy equipment tech at Toromont Cat?
We are always thinking about safety first, and we have to keep an open mind because the learning never ends because of all the different machines and technology we work with. We
don’t second-guess ourselves, and we ask for help or for a different set of eyes. We perform most of our tasks alone, but we work as a team. That is one of our main strengths here at Toromont.
Toromont Apprenticeship program is open to mechanics looking to build up their career in heavy equipment or power systems business, it gives participants access to: