Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology

The Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology curriculum is designed to prepare individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to service, troubleshoot, and repair medium and heavy duty vehicles.

The coursework includes the purpose, construction features, and principles of operation of medium and heavy duty vehicles.

Graduates of the curriculum should qualify for entry-level employment opportunities at a dealership, fleet shop, or independent garage as a technician. Graduates that have met the work experience requirement should also be prepared to take the ASE certification examination.

Learning Outcomes

  • Use OSHA standards; demonstrate safety procedures relating to equipment, personal safety, using proper personal protective equipment, and safety of others.
  • Work independently and in groups to service, repair, test, and maintain heavy duty diesel vehicles using proper tooling including hand tools, electronic testing equipment and diagnostic equipment to meet industry standards.
  • Work with accuracy and proficiency identifying function, reading diagrams, manufacturer specifications, and documenting service records, in the heavy-duty transportation industry.

Contact Information

Image of Will Johnson
Will Johnson, AAS
Lead Instructor of Diesel & Heavy Equipment
Phone: 336-838-6284
wljohnson677@wilkescc.edu
Image of Preston Smith
Preston Smith, AAS
Instructor of Diesel and Heavy Equipment
Phone: 336-838-6562
pcsmith943@wilkescc.edu

Pathways

First Year – Fall Semester

  • ACA 115: Success and Study Skills
  • HET 110: Diesel Engines
  • TRN 110: Intro to Transport Tech
  • TRN 120: Basic Transport Electricity
  • TRN 170: PC Skills for Transp

First Year – Spring Semester

  • ELN 112: Diesel Electronics System
  • ENG 110: Workplace Writing Essentials or ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry
  • HET 114: Power Trains
  • MAT 110: Math Measurement & Literacy
  • TRN 180: Basic Welding for Transp

First Year – Summer Term

  • TRN 130: Intro to Sustainable Transp
  • TRN 140: Transp Climate Control
  • HET 125: Preventative Maintenance
  • HET 126: Preventative Maintenance Lab

Second Year – Fall Semester

  • ENG 116: Technical Report Writing
  • HET 115: Electronic Engines
  • HET 230: Air Brakes
  • HET 233: Suspension and Steering
  • HYD 112: Hydraulics-Med/Heavy Duty
  • Behavioral/Social Science Elective

Second Year – Spring Semester

  • AUT 151: Brake Systems
  • HET 128: Medium/Heavy Duty Tune-Up
  • Humanities Elective
  • PME 211: Advanced Equipment Repair
  • WBL 111: Work-Based Learning

Fall Semester

  • ACA 115: Success and Study Skills
  • HET 110: Diesel Engines
  • TRN 110: Intro to Transport Tech
  • TRN 120: Basic Transport Electricity
  • TRN 170: PC Skills for Transp

Spring Semester

  • ENG 110: Workplace Writing Essentials or ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry
  • ELN 112: Diesel Electronics System
  • HET 114: Power Trains
  • MAT 110: Math Measurement & Literacy
  • TRN 180: Basic Welding for Transp

Summer Term

  • HET 125: Preventative Maintenance
  • HET 126: Preventative Maintenance Lab
  • TRN 130: Intro to Sustainable Transp
  • TRN 140: Transp Climate Control

  • HET 110: Diesel Engines
  • TRN 110: Intro to Transport Tech
  • TRN 120: Basic Transport Electricity

  • HET 114: Power Trains
  • HET 125: Preventive Maintenance
  • HET 126: Preventive Maintenance Lab
  • HET 128: Medium/Heavy Duty Tune-Up
  • HET 230: Air Brakes

  • ELN 112: Diesel Electronic System
  • HET 114: Power Trains
  • TRN 180: Basic Welding for Transport

  • AUT 151: Brake Systems
  • HET 115: Electronic Engines
  • HET 233: Suspension and Steering
  • HYD 112: Hydraulics-Med/Heavy Duty
  • TRN 110: Intro to Transportation Tech

  • HET 125: Preventive Maintenance
  • HET 126: Preventive Maintenance Lab
  • HET 128: Medium/Heavy Duty Tune-Up
  • HET 230: Air Brakes
  • PME 211: Advanced Equipment Repair
  • TRN 110: Intro to Transportation Tech

Technical Standards

The Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology program technical standards have been developed to inform students of the nonacademic essential functions of the program and profession. Examples are not all inclusive.

Standard Essential Function Examples
Communication
Oral / Written
  • Skills sufficient to communicate information and ideas so others will understand
  • Communicate procedures for repairs to coworkers and customers
  • Write work orders
  • Read prints, schematics, and documents
Mobility / Motor Skills
  • Motor skills sufficient to move the hands and use hands to grasp or manipulate
  • Ability to safely operate in and around machinery
  • Ability to install items overhead
  • Mobility sufficient to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body
  • Make repairs
  • Assemble parts
  • Work with many types of hand, air, or other power tools
  • Work at heights up to 35’ while carrying tools and equipment
  • Physical activities may include:
    • Climbing
    • Lifting
    • Balancing
    • Stooping
    • Reaching
Physical Strength and Stamina
  • Ability sufficient to lift and carry
  • Lift and carry wheels, engine parts, brake rotors, etc.
Sensory

  • Sight
  • Sound
  • Taste
  • Touch
  • Smell
  • Visual skills sufficient to see details at close range
  • Listening skills sufficient to communicate with others
  • Identify sounds from the vehicle during diagnostic phase
  • Visual skills to inspect or assess for safety
  • Identify defects and make repairs
  • Clearly distinguish all primary colors
  • Read meters and testers
  • Listen to customer’s assessment of problem
  • Hear others inside of an industrial shop or in the field by voice, loud speaker, phone, and/or two-way radio
  • Listen for various pitches emitted by testers and meters
  • Inspect an area or piece of equipment for potential failures or safety issues
  • Detect potential dangers in the shop such as smelling gas leaks, identifying leaks in hydraulic lifts, etc.
Environmental / Occupational Exposure
  • Possible exposure to extreme noise levels
  • Possible exposure to extreme weather
  • Possible exposure to dust, chemicals, and fumes
  • Ability to use petroleum products or other chemicals
  • Work around motors and air tools
  • Work outside or inside of a non-climate-controlled shop
  • Work around diesel fuel, motor oil, etc.
Field or Industry Professional Standards
  • Wear safety equipment
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • CDL standards (for vision/etc.)
  • Wear safety glasses
  • Good peripheral vision and depth perception
  • 20/40 corrected in at least one eye (CDL standard)

Disability Services Statement

Wilkes Community College is an ADA compliant institution. WCC does not discriminate based on a disability in the admissions process or in access to its programs, services, and/or activities for qualified individuals who meet eligibility requirements. WCC will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities who are eligible to receive or participate in college programs, services, and/or activities. If a student believes that he/she cannot meet one or more of a program’s essential functions without accommodations, the student is encouraged to disclose this to Disability Services as soon as possible.

Associate to Bachelor Agreements

An Associate to Bachelor agreement is an opportunity for students to complete their Associate's degree at Wilkes Community College and then transfer into a specified program at a partnering four-year institution for their Bachelor's degree. Wilkes Community College has the following Associate to Bachelor agreements for our Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technology graduates: