When the University of Michigan’s biggest machines break down, Heavy Equipment Mechanic Bob Winkler is there to fix them.

“There’s always something to do,” Winkler says.

Often, Winkler’s day will start normally enough, with a few scheduled maintenance and service calls. Along with three other heavy equipment mechanics, Winkler tackles anything with an engine. It’s when a piece of equipment breaks down on the job that his skills are needed most.

“We try as much as possible to get it up and running as soon as we can,” Winkler says. “Our primary goal is to limit our customers’ down time.”

While the majority of Winkler’s work comes from Grounds and Waste Management, the Heavy Equipment Garage receives machines from all departments. Front-end loaders, backhoes, dump trucks, tractors, trailers, air compressors, leaf suckers, pumps and wood chippers are just a few of the many large machines that Winkler works on.

“We do a lot of work on garbage trucks,” Winkler says.

Because of their many moving parts and hydraulics, garbage trucks are the most common item to need service. The many different air valves and hydraulic valves on garbage trucks create a complexity that allows for error.

Since garbage routes start at 5 a.m., Winkler’s shift starts early as well so he can get out there and fix anything right away.

“We will fix it — whether it’s broke down on the road or the drivers bring the trucks here (to the Heavy Equipment Garage),” Winkler says.

While most problems can be brought to the garage, some of the mechanical work has to happen on-site. For example, large forklifts have to be fixed on site due to their size and difficulty to move.

The busiest and most exciting time at the Heavy Equipment Garage is during winter.

“When the snow gets deep, things tend to break,” Winkler says. “Almost every piece of snow equipment is out working at its full potential. We can see many recoveries per day.”

Winkler thinks the highlight of being a heavy equipment mechanic for U-M is the opportunity to work with such a variety of different types of equipment.

“There are days when a piece of equipment comes into the shop that belongs to the university, and we’ve never seen it before.”

It’s the troubleshooting aspect of the job engages Winkler most.

“It’s often more fun to try to figure out the problem than to do the repair itself,” he says.

Because Winkler is such a big family man, his 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. schedule allows him to spend time with his wife and two kids.

Winkler’s interest in machines extends beyond his work at U-M. In his free time, he flies airplanes at the Ann Arbor and Willow Run airports.

“I always thought it’d be neat,” Winkler says. “I met a friend and took a trip to the airport — I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Presently, Winkler holds single and multi-engine commercial certificates with an instrument rating, which allows him to fly in the clouds and with planes with multiple engines. He participates in flight-instructor training as he hopes to teach people to fly part-time.

Over the past years, he has been studying part-time at Eastern Michigan University to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in aviation flight technology.

“If I’m not working or spending time with my family, I’ll be flying or studying flight,” Winkler says. “I have a deep passion for aviation.”

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