 | Mike Davied is the owner & operator of Mikes Repair & Fabrication LLC located in Frontenac, KS. He has been repairing equipment for 40 years and has ran his own business for 20 years. For more information or to contact Mike please call 620-235-0061. |
Farm Industry
2013-05-29 11:49:04
Are field and service mechanics a new or just growing trend?
A-Yes, it is true, and this is not a new phenomenon, there have been field service mechanics since the middle ages, they were called " horse shoers". But now Field service mechanics and portable welders are more mobile and timely than ever. Here is what to expect when a field call is needed, almost NO matter what the repair is, an independent mechanic or a dealer mechanic can come to almost ANY jobsite, on a farm, a construction site , a road side break down, sometimes to a residence, or plant site to build or repair many items, often cheaper, and quicker than transporting the machine to a shop setting.
Most portable repair technicians carry the tools of their trade with them, some very expensive and special tools, often times being able to make repairs in a matter of hours right where a machine broke down. Parts availability can hamper the FIX it RIGHT NOW scheme though. For instance a broken hydraulic hose or a cracked weld can often be a less than a 1 hour repair. As most technicians are specialists, your repair may require 2 or more phone calls. This is not always the case, so PLEASE ask when you call if the mechanic can perform the entire repair, as needed. Some Techs also carry some parts on their trucks.
Just like many other professions, mechanics can be specialists, who are professionals so don't be offended when they ask questions. They want to make you happy with the service they provide. Remember it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Every repair job is different but MOST normal, small breakdowns are easily repaired on your site. That's not to say that this is always the case, but it is often so. Bigger repairs and major overhauls CAN be more economical in a shop setting but not always are they more convenient to the owner. So be ready to balance cost against convenience. There is a formula to figure these costs for you. I could go on forever about this subject, but for now, thank you for the question & don't be shy, cause I'll answer almost any question I can.
