Diesel & Heavy Equipment

CTC Diesel and Heavy Equipment program instructor Raymond Ludwig, facing camera, talks with students in front of the machinery as Pogo Mine donates an underground mine front end loader to the UAF CTC Diesel and Heavy Equipment program as it gets unloaded and stored at Hutchison High School Thursday, April 13, 2023

Community and Technical College
Diesel & Heavy Equipment
907-455-2800 

Department Overview

The diesel/heavy equipment program at the UAF Community & Technical College offers a certificate program that prepares students for careers in the maintenance and repair of diesel trucks, buses and heavy equipment. 

Learn more about the Diesel/Heavy Equipment program, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.


Certificate, Diesel/Heavy Equipment

The diesel and heavy equipment mechanics program offers training in the maintenance and repair of trucks, buses and heavy equipment. This one-year certificate program emphasizes hands-on training and in-class experience as students perform preventive maintenance inspections, determine causes of equipment problems and make necessary repairs and adjustments from tune-ups to complete engine and equipment overhauls. Students work on large truck fuel, electrical and air systems, diesel engines, transmissions, differentials, crawler tractor undercarriages, steering and final drives. A student may request credit by examination for any DSLT or MECN class. See the department coordinator for details.

Minimum Requirements for Diesel/Heavy Equipment Certificate: 34 credits


Courses

Diesel Technology (DSLT)

DSLT F101      Safety Including Rigging and Lifting
1 Credit

Offered Fall

This course is an introduction to working safely in a shop environment. Discussions and practical exercises cover the proper use of personal protective gear and air ventilation systems; identifying harmful chemicals and interpreting Safety Data Sheets; procedures for lifting heavy items; use of power and hand tools.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F103      Basic Equipment and Truck Operation
1 Credit

Offered Fall

Basic operation of heavy equipment and diesel trucks to include: stating, clutching, braking, and steering procedures. Basic forklift operation to include: lifting weight, calculation and point of balance of machine versus lifting load.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0.5 + 1.5 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F105      Preventive Maintenance
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on vehicles and heavy equipment. Gain knowledge of lubricants, filters, lubrication points and proper fluid levels and understanding of what to look for when performing a visual inspection.

Prerequisites: DSLT F101; DSLT F103.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1.5 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F107      Basic Electrical Systems
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Basic electrical theory and DC voltage and amperage is followed by battery operation and testing. Circuit protection and control will also be covered culminating in reading and writing electrical schematics as well as identification, testing and repair of basic circuits.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1.5 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F108      Advanced Electrical Systems
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Theory, operation and repair of starting and charging systems, diagnostic methods and specifications that are standard in the industry. Diagnosis and repair of common sensors, actuators, electronic fuel injectors and systems will be covered, as well as electronic scan tools, multiplexing and CAN Bus network diagnosis and repair.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 4 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F110      Basic Industrial Fabrication
2 Credits

Offered Fall

Students will learn the concepts of industrial fabrication. When working with heavy equipment, things can break. This class will teach the basics of how to fabricate and repair heavy equipment in and out of the field using various techniques.

Prerequisite: Department or Instructor approval required.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 2 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F111      Diesel Emissions
2 Credits

Offered Spring

Diesel engine emissions concepts and their air pollution contribution. Knowledge to create cleaner-running diesel engines, promote pollution-control technology, prevent unnecessary idling, and make diesel engine smoke puff an extinct image. Study/practice diesel emission-reducing actions using measuring devices, learn catalytic converter/particulate filter terms and technologies, exhaust fluid usage, troubleshoot emission components.

Prerequisite: Department or Instructor approval required.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 2 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F123      Heavy Duty Braking Systems
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Commercial trucks/heavy equipment braking systems applications; compressor testing/overhaul, relay valves, actuators, wear limits, acceptable tolerances, brake lining replacement, government regulations and pneumatic controls; evolving technologies such as anti-lock brakes. Remove/replace brake shoes, drums, hardware, S-cams and air chambers. Includes inspection, preventive maintenance and a commercial truck/heavy equipment braking system overhaul.

Prerequisites: DSLT F101; DSLT F103.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1.5 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F154      Diesel Fuel Injection
3 Credits

Offered Spring

Theory and functional operation of all common diesel fuel injection systems including modern Bosch, Mack, Cummins, Caterpillar and Detroit Diesel. Direct injection and pre-combustion fuel injection systems. Testing procedures, when testing high pressure diesel injection pumps and injectors; removing, installing and adjusting common systems used in the heavy truck/equipment industry.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 2 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F201      Manual Transmissions and Differentials
3 Credits

Offered Spring

Theory, diagnosis and repair of manual transaxles and transmissions, transfer cases, differentials, clutch assemblies, power take off units, driveshafts and axles as well as removing and installing clutches, transmissions and differentials in a truck or piece of heavy equipment. Preventive maintenance and cold weather component problems will also be covered.

Prerequisites: DSLT F101; DSLT F103.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 4 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F202      Heavy Duty Automatic Transmissions
2 Credits

Offered Spring

Theory, operation and troubleshooting of heavy duty automatic transmissions; hydraulic, electrohydraulic, pneumatic and electronic controls. Prepares the student to overhaul Allison, ZF and similar automatic transmissions.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F210      Heavy Equipment Fabrication
2 Credits

Offered Spring

Students will learn advanced concepts of industrial fabrication in the maintenance of heavy duty equipment, develop a strong understanding of metals and their applications, and have the ability to bend, heat, and apply welding techniques that will support heavy duty equipment for long term use.

Prerequisite: Department or Instructor approval is required.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 2 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F212      Hydraulics
3 Credits

Offered Spring

Theory of fluid power and the components that make up a hydraulic system found on heavy equipment. Identification and description of hydraulic cylinders, motors, directional valves commonly found on heavy equipment. Includes testing of equipment and performing hydraulic pressure and flow tests.

Prerequisites: DSLT F101; DSLT F103; DSLT F105.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 4 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

DSLT F254      Engine
6 Credits

Offered Spring

Theory and operation of the two-cycle and four-cycle diesel engine injection and combustion process. Operation and maintenance of internal components and systems including tune-ups and fuel system troubleshooting, culminating in disassembly and reassembly of a large bore diesel engine commonly found in heavy trucks or heavy equipment.

Prerequisites: DSLT F101; DSLT F103; DSLT F105.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 2.5 + 6.5 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Mechanics-Diesel/Heavy Equipment (MECN)

MECN F104      Mobile Equipment Maintenance
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Technical, financial and legal aspects of mobile equipment maintenance. Students will work in groups to perform a maintenance operation and create maintenance records on a variety of vehicle types.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0.5 + 1 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F112      Basic Auto Maintenance
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Covers basic automobile system functions, owner maintenance of electrical, cooling and fuel systems, auto lubricants and fluids, tires and wheels, tune-ups, and cold weather maintenance and operation. For the person without mechanical experience.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F154      Diesel Fuel Injection
2 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F159      Manual Transmissions and Clutches
2 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Two major areas of automotive maintenance and repair: inspection and replacement of common clutch types; and maintenance, inspection and overhaul of automotive manual transmissions.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 2 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F201      Advanced Automobile Equipment Electronics
2 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Troubleshooting and repairing a wide range of electronic systems found in both light and heavy equipment including, but not limited to, load moment limiting, motor speed control, electronic control of hydraulic systems and electronic governors for power generation.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 2 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F202      Principles of Electric Drive Vehicles
2 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

In-depth study of batteries: design, construction, testing and charging, currents and maintenance. Knowledge applied to DC motors, electronic controls and electronic traction motor controls. The in-shop training discusses environmental impacts of electric drive vehicles.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F203      Basic Power Generations
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Portable and stationary electric power generators and the relationship of magnetism, AC/DC currents, motors, generators, transformers and electrical distribution.

Recommended: AUTO F110.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 2 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F204      Basic Alternating Current Electrician Skills
2 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Basic residential and commercial electrician skills; current theory and applications; electrical measurement and circuitry.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 2 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F205      Uninterruptible Power Supplies
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Residential and commercial power supplies; troubleshooting batteries; electronic components; reading UPS schematics.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0.5 + 1 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F206      Emergency Backup Power Generation
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Language and fundamentals of electricity; circuitry; conductor types and sizes; writing methods; system requirements of power generation.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0.5 + 1 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F207      Power Generation Governors
2 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Mechanically and electrically controlled engines with emphasis on what is a governor and what is its function in power generation will be covered in the hands-on diagnostic training.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 2 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

MECN F208      Alternative Fuels
2 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

History of fuels with emphasis on the known alternative fuels: natural gas, methanol, ethanol and propane. A research project is required.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 2 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Faculty

Ray Ludwig

Assistant Professor | Program Advisor | Program Director

Diesel/Heavy Equipment

rludwig1@alaska.edu

907-455-2843
Hutchison Center, Fairbanks, AK