Heavy Equipment and Diesel Technology

Heavy equipment mechanics repair and maintain heavy vehicles, mobile equipment and their components. Some of the vehicles that heavy equipment mechanics may work on include trucks, tractors, bulldozers, cranes, forklifts and railcars. 

Wonder what a Heavy Equipment/Diesel Mechanic does?  Some job duties may include:

  • Keeps equipment available for use by inspecting, repairing and maintaining vehicles, machinery and road equipment; completing preventive maintenance such as engine tune ups, oil changes, tire rotation, wheel balancing, replacing filters.
  • Disassembles and overhauls internal combustion engines (diesel and gasoline fueled), pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, rear end assembly, brake systems, electrical systems and suspensions.
  • Maintains vehicle and road equipment appearance by cleaning, washing and painting.
  • Verifies vehicle serviceability by conducting test drives, adjusting controls and systems.
  • Maintains vehicle and equipment records by recording service and repairs.
  • Keeps shop equipment operating by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies, performing preventative maintenance, calling for repairs.
  • Contains cost by using warranty, evaluating service and parts options.
  • Keeps supplies ready by inventorying stock, placing orders, verifying receipt.
  • Updates job knowledge by reading technical publications.
  • Accomplishes maintenance and organization mission by completing related results as needed

 

 

Students concentrating on Heavy Equipment/Diesel Repair have successfully completed the initial pairs of courses offered through the Auto Tech Program:

  • Basic Transportation Systems / Intro to Service Repair
  • General Transportation Systems / Auto Service Repair I

Once they have progressed into the Advanced Transportation Systems course, they will have the opportunity to rotate through a session on Heavy Equipment/Diesel Repair.  If this is the path a student would like to continue with, they will enroll in the Specialized Transportation Systems and Lab course focusing on Heavy Equipment/Diesel Repair. 

After successful completion, students will have the knowledge and ability to diagnosis troubles and disassemble diesel engines; replace pistons, bearings, gears, valves and bushings; install ignition systems; replace steering/suspension components; replace transmissions and parts; lubricate moving parts; diagnosis problems with and replace chassis assemblies; repair undercarriages and replace and repair pneumatic or hydraulic brake systems

Cranford_Chris

 

Chris Cranford

 

  • 12 years in the diesel industry
  • Cummins, Detroit, Freightliner, and Eaton Fuller certified
  • ASE certified 
  • Graduated NTI from the Automotive program