Practical Technical Skills for Modern Tradesmen
INTRODUCTION
Trade skills are built in workshops, on sites, and through experience — not just in classrooms.
This section of ModernTradeSkills.com focuses on real-world technical knowledge developed over 30 years of hands-on diesel and equipment maintenance. It is designed to help apprentices and working technicians understand how systems work, why failures happen, and how to work safely and professionally.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN HERE
🔧 Diesel Engine Fundamentals
- How diesel engines work (simple explanations)
- Two-stroke vs four-stroke engines
- Mechanical vs electronic fuel systems
- Common engine failures and prevention
⚙️ Fuel & Air Systems
- Fuel tanks, filters, and water separation
- Injection pumps and injectors
- Turbochargers and air handling systems
🛠️ Hydraulics & Power Systems
- Basic hydraulic principles
- Pumps, valves, cylinders
- Common hydraulic faults on heavy equipment
🚜 Heavy Equipment Basics
- Excavators, loaders, dozers, graders
- Automatic transmissions
- Powertrain fundamentals
🧠 Workshop Best Practices
- Preventive maintenance
- Fault-finding discipline
- Clean work habits
- Safety systems (lockout/tagout)
WHO THIS SECTION IS FOR
- Apprentice diesel mechanics
- Young technicians entering the trade
- Experienced tradesmen refreshing fundamentals
- Supervisors mentoring junior staff