They not only diagnose malfunctions and repair engines, they repair and service fuel injection systems, electrical and electronic systems, hydraulic systems, brakes, steering systems and power transmission systems. Increased use of heavy equipment in the agriculture, trucking, construction, and auxiliary power industries has created a widespread need for qualified heavy equipment technicians with fleet maintenance, farm equipment, truck rental, construction equipment repair and independent repair shops. They are also employed at stationary power plants, marine engine companies and manufacturers of heavy equipment. Using shop manuals, schematics, reference charts, diagnostic instruments and specialty tools to diagnose and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, students also identify problems through measurement and observation. Students interpret collected data, decide on a course of action, and correct the malfunction by repair, replacement or adjustment of the faulty component.
Students also perform a wide variety of preventive maintenance tasks.
Students will also work with computer software programs to diagnose and troubleshoot electronically controlled systems used in the heavy equipment industry. Students assemble diesel engines, repair hydraulic systems, diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical and electronic fuel injection systems, service hydraulic and air brake systems, diagnose and correct transmission and torque converter problems, test and service electrical and electronic systems, and set up preventive maintenance programs for a fleet of vehicles. Students completing the two-year associate degree program will spend over approximately 1,000 hours testing, repairing and adjusting customer and Ferris owned equipment in an ultra modern facility. All work is performed under the supervision of the heavy equipment technology faculty. For students interested in electrical power generation, a certificate is provided upon completion of the HET associates degree and the satisfactory completion of two additional courses in electrical power generation.