also chekc out north dakota state college of science. they have a small engine class that is for all sorts of things like you mentioned. I know they had a good john deere program there. since we almost always send a team to the national contest. I got second in state and 7th in national.
on a side not for the money aspect. look at what a mojority of people are making. I got out of mechanics because of the future. I came in gold rated with john deere. and would be at top pay in a matter of a year. but when I looked at the future. getting 25 cent a year raises was a joke. and then for family it was crazy on what health care was costing. 15 dollars per hour will barely support a family if both of you are working. I went to the labors union instead. started out at 18.50 per hour, got to 22.20 per hour in a matter of months. plus a great and free health care for the family and a good real good pension.
if you do become a small engine mechanic. give eric at bikemans performance a call. you will work for one to several comapanies, and do as much cash work as you can at home as well. once you get some years under you it wont be to bad to try and have your own shop. unless your in minnesota. then it sucks tohave your own buisness. lawn mowers,snowblowers, are a very good buisness. once you have a reputation in a town or area, then you can have your own weekend store, so you go to your job during the day. at night and weekends you put in a little extra hours, pick up dealerships for parts and possibly sales, but the biggest thing is to be able to make money and provide parts. labor is pure money, but if you cant get parts or dont make money on parts you are loosing money. I am getting a little far in the future but you need to think some day you might have a family to support.