Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
AdministrativeAssistant

Ricky Kinkel

Esko,MN

Summary

Professional heavy equipment operator with strong expertise in operating and maintaining variety of machinery. Known for collaborative approach and adaptability in dynamic work environments. Excels in safety protocols, precision operations, and problem-solving, ensuring efficiency and high-quality results. Reliable team player focused on achieving operational goals and contributing to team success.

Skilled mechanical professional with solid background in maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of mechanical systems. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Recognized for reliability and adaptability in dynamic environments. Proficient in diagnosing and solving mechanical issues, ensuring optimal equipment performance, and upholding safety standards.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Mechanic

Kolar Chevrolet Buick Gmc
02.2025 - Current
  • Inspected and tested equipment to locate worn and damaged parts.
  • Replaced damaged, missing, or defective parts with new and refurbished components.
  • Performed diagnostic and troubleshooting procedures to find and identify root causes of mechanical issues.
  • Performed preventative maintenance oil changes and brake jobs to preserve performance and reliability of vehicles.
  • Completed full vehicle inspections to check for leaks, damage, or other issues of concern.
  • Disassembled defective parts to make proper repairs.

Mechanical Technician

Iron Trail/Wood City Motors
05.2022 - 02.2025
  • Resolved mechanical issues using both technical and manual skills.
  • Assembled and disassembled equipment to perform repairs and maintenance.
  • Frequently diagnosed mechanical problems and determined how to correct issues.
  • Maintained clean and organized work area to easily locate repairing tools and equipment.
  • Identified mechanical problems and determined best solutions for correction.
  • Completed complex repair projects within tight deadlines, minimizing production disruptions and ensuring timely delivery of finished products to customers.

Shop Lead Mechanic

Five Star Automotive Group
05.2022 - 09.2022
  • Reduced equipment downtime with proactive maintenance scheduling and timely repairs.
  • Provided exceptional customer service by addressing concerns promptly and professionally.
  • Oversaw the successful completion of major overhauls on various types of engines, consistently meeting quality standards.
  • Improved workshop efficiency by streamlining repair processes and implementing time-saving techniques.

Mechanic

Kivi Bros. Trucking
11.2021 - 05.2022
  • Executed preventive and corrective maintenance on work trucks and other vehicles.
  • Monitored shop equipment to maintain safe working condition.
  • Performed maintenance inspections, tune-ups, oil changes and other key services.
  • Performed troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures to locate source of malfunctions.
  • Used diagnostics and troubleshooting tools to identify failures and equipment issues.
  • Reviewed brakes and assessed whether pads needed replacement, discs should be turned or other service requirements.
  • Completed standard inspections to assess wear and damage to vehicles.
  • Removed old oil, replace filters and added correct amount of new [Type] oil.
  • Performed routine and reparative maintenance for company freight and trucks.

Heavy Equipment Operator

Precision Pipeline LLC
04.2020 - 11.2021
  • Operated front end loader to move dirt and different base materials.
  • Performed pre-shift and post-shift equipment inspections and accurately completed reports to support company policy.
  • Operated excavators and other construction equipment to properly grade land.
  • Promoted company's strict safety protocols for operation of machinery to reduce accidents and injuries.
  • Kept equipment fueled and ready for immediate use to support scheduling demands.
  • Followed signals from ground crew and other operators to safely move materials and prevent dangerous interactions or missed cues.
  • Loaded and moved dirt, rocks, equipment and materials.

Mechanic/Welder

Hoover Construction Co
04.2019 - 12.2020
  • Operated manual and semi-automatic welding equipment to fuse metal segments together.
  • Completed preventive maintenance on engines, transmissions, tires and other vehicle systems.
  • Performed checklist of fluid levels, air filter, tire pressure and more as part of service orders.
  • Operated specialty equipment, standard tools and gauges to complete assessments and repairs.
  • Removed malfunctioning parts and repaired components or installed new ones.
  • Repaired electrical wiring harness, starting and charging systems.
  • Checked and replaced clamps, brackets, hoses and other system components.

Mechanic/ Welder

Donn Hansen’s welding tank and truck
10 2018 - 04.2019
  • Did a lot of welding and mechanical work on tankers and trucks and fabrication of new metal body’s. Cut metal and did custom bent pieces to fit vechicles. Did body work and painting. Also did a large verity of mechanical work.
  • welding stainless steel, aluminum welding, wire feed welding and also stick welding.
  • Inspected and tested equipment to locate worn and damaged parts.
  • Tested newly installed equipment to determine proper functionality and compliance with regulations.
  • Completed full vehicle inspections to check for leaks, damage or other issues of concern.
  • Diagnosed and repaired mechanical issues on diesel, natural gas, and propane gensets.
  • Analyzed and located malfunctions in brakes, motors, switches, and control systems.
  • Replaced damaged, missing or defective parts with new and refurbished components.

Automotive Technician

Pro Tire & Automotive
08.2018 - 01.2019

Doing basic repairs on vehicles. Doing diagnostics on cars. Installing lift kits and accessories on vehicles. Also performing alignments and front end checks on all types of vehicles. Installed all types of snow x snow plows.

Automotive Technician

Cloquet Sevice Center
07.2017 - 08.2017

Performed vehicle diagnostic. Rebuild motors, removed and replaced motors and transmissions, rebuild rear ends in vehicles. Performed basic maintenance  on vehicles. Performed repairs on timing components, such as timing chains and timing belts.

  • Repaired brake, exhaust, electrical and other systems to optimal specifications.
  • Serviced air conditioning systems, changed and topped off fluids and completed maintenance inspections.
  • Troubleshot and diagnosed faults with all types of vehicle systems and components.

Automotive Technician

North Star Ford
02.2017 - 07.2017

Repaired used vehicles to put on the sales lot. Basic mechanical work such as brakes, oil changes, and suspension. Removed and replaced engines and transmissions.

  • Repaired suspensions and aligned vehicles.
  • Maintained compliance with dealer and manufacturer standards for all repair and maintenance actions.
  • Learned all systems and components in vehicles.
  • Repaired brake, exhaust, electrical and other systems to optimal specifications.
  • Troubleshot and diagnosed faults with all types of vehicle systems and components.

Diesel Mechanic/Heavy Equitment Operator

Magnetation
04.2012 - 09.2016
  • Disassembled and repaired diesel engines in automobiles, trucks, buses and construction vehicles.
  • Troubleshot and diagnosed problems with brakes, steering and transmissions.
  • Performed preventative maintenance on engines, transmissions, tires and other vehicle systems.
  • Installed new systems and components in vehicles.
  • Ordered parts necessary for vehicle repairs and new installations.
  • Used specialty equipment, standard tools, and gauges to complete assessments and repairs.
  • Completed checklist of fluid levels, air filter, tire pressure and more as part of service orders.
  • Used schematic diagrams to plan work.
  • Operated equipment such as Cat and volvo.
  • Welded metal parts with gas welding equipment as specified by layout, welding diagram, or work order.
  • Dug holes and trenches in the ground.
  • Graded and shaped land for building and finishing purposes.
  • Operated equipment such as 988 loader and D6, D8 and haul trucks.

Education

High School Diploma -

Carlton High School
2003

Skills

  • Electrical repair procedures
  • Replacing parts
  • System repairs
  • Preventive maintenance
  • Optimizing engine performance
  • Electrical failure expertise
  • Brake systems understanding
  • Ordering supplies
  • Calibrating systems
  • Rebuilding engines
  • aluminium welding
  • stainless steel welding
  • wire feed and stick welding
  • Hand and power tools
  • Safety awareness
  • Changing tires
  • Troubleshooting skills
  • Inspecting vehicles
  • Diagnostic skills
  • Installing equipment
  • Welding equipment
  • Welding and fabrication
  • Generator preventive maintenance
  • Parts oiling and greasing
  • Safe equipment operation
  • Effective communication skills
  • Heavy equipment operator
  • Construction background
  • Time management
  • Loader operation
  • Skid steer proficiency
  • Front end loader operations
  • Earthmoving operations
  • Heavy haul trucking
  • Backhoe operation
  • Safety procedures
  • Wheel loader operation
  • Loader controls
  • CDL license holder

Certification

  • Commercial Driver's License (CDL) - Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
  • Mine Safety and Health Administration New Miner Training Certificate (MSHA Part 46/48) – Mine Safety and Health Administration.
  • Certified in GM vehicles and in Ford vehicles.
  • Mechanical skills on highway heavy equitment.

Timeline

Mechanic

Kolar Chevrolet Buick Gmc
02.2025 - Current

Mechanical Technician

Iron Trail/Wood City Motors
05.2022 - 02.2025

Shop Lead Mechanic

Five Star Automotive Group
05.2022 - 09.2022

Mechanic

Kivi Bros. Trucking
11.2021 - 05.2022

Heavy Equipment Operator

Precision Pipeline LLC
04.2020 - 11.2021

Mechanic/Welder

Hoover Construction Co
04.2019 - 12.2020

Automotive Technician

Pro Tire & Automotive
08.2018 - 01.2019

Automotive Technician

Cloquet Sevice Center
07.2017 - 08.2017

Automotive Technician

North Star Ford
02.2017 - 07.2017

Diesel Mechanic/Heavy Equitment Operator

Magnetation
04.2012 - 09.2016

Mechanic/ Welder

Donn Hansen’s welding tank and truck
10 2018 - 04.2019

High School Diploma -

Carlton High School
Ricky Kinkel