At Foster Ranch & Feedlot, we take pride in raising high-quality cattle with a strong focus on animal health, operational excellence, and efficient land stewardship. Our operations span thousands of acres of pasture, a full feedlot, and leased properties, where we combine hands-on cattle care with modern management practices. We are a family-owned ranch committed to hard work, integrity, and building a supportive team culture.
We are hiring an Agriculture Mechanic to join our team in Melstone, MT (about 84 miles northeast of Billings). In this role, you will be responsible for diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining a wide range of farm machinery and industrial equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety. Your expertise will help keep our operations running smoothly, supporting agricultural productivity and equipment longevity. This position offers an exciting opportunity for mechanics with a passion for heavy machinery, automotive diagnostics, and hands-on fabrication to make a tangible impact in the agricultural industry.
We offer competitive compensation based on experience, housing with outbuildings, health, vision, dental, life, and supplemental insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, and company vehicle. Tools are provided for this position.
Responsibilities
- Perform detailed diagnostics and repairs on farm machinery, including tractors, harvesters, and other agricultural equipment using OEM schematics and technical manuals.
- Conduct routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire service, brake repairs, hydraulic system servicing, and transmission overhauls to maximize equipment uptime.
- Operate heavy equipment such as tractors, loaders, and tractor-trailers safely and efficiently during repair or installation processes.
- Fabricate custom parts or modify existing components using welding, soldering, hand tools, and power tools to meet specific operational needs.
- Troubleshoot electrical systems including wiring, sensors, starters, alternators, and implement automotive diagnostics for complex mechanical issues.
- Maintain accurate service records, complete detailed inspection reports, and follow safety protocols consistently.
- Assist in the assembly of new equipment or machinery components ensuring compliance with OEM standards.
- Must be able to supervise H2A (English speaking) workers to assist in the shop.
Qualifications
- Proven mechanic experience backgrounds preferred; strong knowledge of farm machinery and industrial equipment essential.
- Hands-on experience with fabrication techniques such as welding and soldering; familiarity with schematics and electrical wiring diagrams.
- Proficiency in diagnosing issues related to hydraulics, suspension systems, air brakes, transmissions, HVAC systems, and diesel engines.
- Ability to operate heavy machinery safely.
- Have (or ability to obtain) a Class A CDL license
- Physical ability to perform heavy lifting tasks regularly
- Comfortable working in outdoor environments under varying weather conditions.
- Strong mechanical knowledge combined with excellent problem-solving skills; capable of working independently or as part of a team.
- Familiarity with vehicle maintenance procedures involving tire service, alignment adjustments, heavy lifting techniques, and general automotive repair.
- Excellent communication skills to discuss repairs or maintenance needs.
- Able to feed bales to 150 cow pairs. Pairs are year-round and fencing and checking will be required throughout the year. Bale pickup will be provided.
- Irrigate 300 acres.
- Live on and maintain property 20 miles east of Roundup. Housing is required for this position; utilities are considered part of the housing provided. House consists of 4 finished bedrooms, unfinished basement, kitchen, dining room and living room, mudroom with washer & dryer hookups.
Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to excellence in agricultural machinery maintenance! We value your expertise in ensuring our equipment remains reliable and efficient - empowering farmers to succeed every day!