Generally, over half the investment of a mining, construction, highway transportation or logging business is in its equipment. Good preventive maintenance is a priority and contributes to the success of the business. The hands-on approach of AVTEC’s Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technologies program helps students learn how to service, maintain, and repair equipment ranging from semi-trucks to bulldozers. As most equipment is powered by diesel engines, students will disassemble, measure, and reassemble engines to factory specifications. The technology changes in the past few years have led to the use of laptop and dedicated scan tools for diagnosis of electronically controlled engines and systems. Because of the complexity of this equipment, students should have good mechanical aptitude, strong reading and mathematics skills, should possess a good work ethic, and have the desire to succeed. The nature of the training requires that students sometimes work outdoors. Warm clothing, rain gear, and proper safety boots are required. Construction equipment such as dump trucks, road graders, front-end loaders, backhoes, bulldozers, and large transport trucks are utilized by students developing mechanical skills.
