Mobile tractor and farm equipment mechanic
Drive a service truck to farms and repair tractors and machinery in the field.
- $15k-60k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
22,907 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.1% in a year
NAICS 811310 “Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A service truck stocked with tools, diagnostic gear and common parts. You travel to farms, ranches and contractor yards to service, diagnose and repair tractors, mowers, balers and other machinery on site.
Your first three steps
- Price out a used service truck or pickup with a utility body, and list the core tools and diagnostic gear you'd need
- Visit local farms, equipment dealers and parts suppliers to learn who needs help, and set an hourly rate and travel charge
- Form an LLC or register as a sole proprietor, get an EIN and quotes for general liability and commercial vehicle insurance
Who pays
Farmers, ranchers, hobby farm owners, landscapers and small contractors who can't afford downtime or can't easily move heavy equipment.
How it makes money
Hourly labor rate plus a trip or mileage charge, with a markup on parts. Seasonal service work such as oil changes, hydraulics and pre-harvest checks brings repeat customers.
Skills that help
- Diesel engine and hydraulic repair
- Diagnosing faults on older and newer machines
- Welding and basic fabrication
- Customer service and clear quoting
Watch out for
- General liability and commercial auto insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
- Check your state and county for business license and sales tax rules on parts
- Rules on disposing of used oil, fluids and batteries, check with your state environmental agency
- Work is seasonal and urgent, so plan for busy planting and harvest periods and slower winters
- Heavy machinery and hydraulic systems carry real injury risks, follow safe lockout and lifting practices
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: mobile tractor and farm equipment mechanic
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile tractor repair business?
Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your service truck, tools, diagnostic gear and parts stock. Treat this as an estimate and price your own setup before you buy.
How much can a mobile tractor mechanic earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on how many call-outs you handle and your rates. Work is seasonal and urgent, so plan for busy planting and harvest periods and slower winters.
What rules and insurance should I check before starting?
Check general liability and commercial auto insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire. Also check your state and county for business license and sales tax rules on parts, and your state environmental agency's rules on disposing of used oil, fluids and batteries.
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