‘Big Fix Alaska’ Follows Master Mechanics As They Repair Heavy Equipment And Massive Machines

The crew from Jim’s Equipment Repair shop can fix anything, from restoring electricity after an engine room fire on a boat to saving the town of Beaver, Alaska, from losing power. The Big Fix Alaska company posted to their Facebook page that they were pleased with how filming went for their eight-episode series, and feel that the show will be both informative and entertaining.

According to Jim’s Equipment Repair website, which is located in Anchorage, the company has been serving Alaska since 1994. The Big Fix Alaska shop is large, with over 13,000 square feet, and houses the recently acquired Wilkie’s Heavy Equipment Repair and Alaska Diesel Rebuilders, which allows them to provide customers with an even larger selection of services. The Big Fix Alaska repair shop has complete machine shop facilities, re-manufactured engines and equipment, and diesel engine repair. The shop and crew are available 24 hours a day and using what they call their “Old School” approach, they have a loyal customer base, and many of them have been with them since the very beginning.

The National Geographic channel shared on Big Fix Alaska’s page that Jim Evridge is the owner of Jim’s Equipment Repair. He is known by the Big Fix Alaska mechanics as “Doc Brown” because of the unusual methods he uses to fix machinery, and by what they call his unorthodox linguistics. As a 40-year veteran, he is a big personality who comes up with a lot of original and creative ways to fix anything mechanical on Big Fix Alaska.

Sara Foss is Big Fix Alaska’s bookkeeper and accountant, and it’s her job to keep track of the money and cash flow for the company. She keeps Jim informed and up-to-date on both the good and the bad news in regard to shop finances. She is engaged to Duane Dennis, who is the general manager of Jim’s Equipment Repair. She can easily handle herself in this male-dominated environment, making herself heard even when the men may not want to listen to what she has to say.

Duane Dennis has been part of this Big Fix Alaska crew for three years. Jim brought him in to take the company to the next level financially. Like Sara, he has a no-nonsense approach to his job on Big Fix Alaska, and is considered the stereotypical general manager. Usually his duties consist of handling incoming calls, making sure they receive payment for services rendered, and handling the logistics of moving his master mechanics to various locations around Alaska. Duane has a loud and domineering personality, and loves to annoy Jim as he not only manages the mechanics, but tries to manage Jim as well, which can cause a lot of friction in the shop.

Austin Gillette is Big Fix Alaska’s go-to field mechanic and Jim’s nephew. With over 15,000 field hours under his belt, during the course of his job he has faced everything from dangerous animals to deadly frigid temperatures. On Big Fix Alaska, Austin is known as the shop’s MacGyver, since he can fix anything handed to him. Austin has a very likable personality and a great work ethic, and always works hard on Big Fix Alaska to get the job done.

Todd Anderson is a master mechanic and another big personality on Big Fix Alaska. When Jim needs an extra hand, he gives his good friend Todd a call. Todd definitely knows what he’s doing, having worked in the industry for over 20 years, and Jim knows he is a seasoned and reliable mechanic.

Aven Leidigh is one of Big Fix Alaska’s most talented mechanics. He used to be a field mechanic but after several harrowing brushes with death, he forced Jim to let him work in the shop only. So far, it has worked out for him, but he does worry that the day may come when Jim needs him to go out in the field and he’ll have no choice but to go.

“Long Gone on the Yukon” is the first episode, and three large machines will put the master mechanics to the test: a bulldozer, an excavator and a landing craft. Do you plan to watch this new series? Leave your comments, thoughts, and opinions below. Big Fix Alaska premieres on Wednesday, February 3, at 10 p.m. ET on the National Geographic channel.

[Image via Jim’s Equipment Repair, LLC/Facebook]