Heavy Equipment Technology

The Rend Lake College Heavy Equipment program is a two-year curriculum designed to provide students with the technical knowledge and work skills needed to enter the construction equipment repair field, with emphasis placed on earthmoving equipment repair and maintenance. This mechanical field program is structured with both lecture and laboratory experience and leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree.

College personnel takes great pride in the fact that most work is based on realistic “live” work situations. Emphasis is placed on heavy equipment power trains, hydraulic systems, machine maintenance, diesel engine maintenance, electrical systems, diesel engine electronics, and computerized system controllers in relation to the modern technology of today’s industry. Course work includes two supervised occupational experience internships (on-the-job training).

Degrees and Certificates in Heavy Equipment Technology

APPLIED SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY - Degree

Associate in Applied Science Degree

A two-year program leading to an Associate in Applied Science Degree. The program is designed to prepare students for occupations involving the maintenance and repair of heavy-duty trucks and equipment. Upon completion of the curriculum, the student should have a thorough knowledge of engine and brake repair, servicing, sales, and alignment. Also upon completion, the student has the option to capstone into a participating four-year institution.

► Total = 70 Hours

First Semester (18 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1208 Diesel Engines (6)
CSCI 1101 Intro to Computers or
CSCI 1102 Intro to Computers w/ Business Applications(3)
DIEL 1208 Diesel Accessories (2)
ENGL 1101 Rhetoric and Composition I ¹ (3)
HEQT 1201 Heavy Equipment Maintenance (4)

Second Semester (17 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1204 Physics of Hydraulics (4)
AGRI 1221 Intro to Agriculture Occupations (1)
COMM 1101 Principles of Effective Speaking (3)
DIEL 1205 Heavy Equipment Brakes (3)
HEQT 1208 Fundamentals of Machine Electronics (3)
HEQT 1211 Engine Fuel Systems (3)

Third Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1222 Applied Mathematics ¹ (3)
AGRI 2201 Transmissions and Power Trains (4)
HEQT 2205 Undercarriage Final Drives² (3)
HEQT 2203 Machine Systems Electronics (3)
PSYC 2101 Introduction to Psychology (3)

Fourth Semester (19 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 2204 Advanced Major Overhaul (5)
AGRI 1206 Ag Air Conditioning Systems (4)
DEIL 1206 Advanced Diesels (2)
HEQT 1210 Supervised Occupational Experience (4)
HEQT 2207 Machine Systems Diagnosis & Troubleshooting (4)

¹ Prerequisite course(s) may be required based test scores.

²DIEL 1204 (4) Intermediate Diesels can be substituted for HEQT 2205

HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY - Certificate

APPLIED SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

Occupational Certificate

This certificate is designed to prepare students for entry-level occupations involving maintenance and repair of heavy duty trucks and equipment. Upon completion of the curriculum, the students should have basic knowledge of engine, brakes, servicing and undercarriage.

► Total = 29 Hours

First Semester (16 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1208 Diesel Engines (6)
DIEL 1208 Diesel Accessories (2)
AGRI 2201 Transmissions and Power Trains (4)
HEQT 1201 Heavy Equipment Maintenance (4)

Second Semester (13 Cr. Hrs.)

AGRI 1204 Physics of Hydraulics (4)
DIEL 1205 Heavy Equipment Brakes (3)
HEQT 1208 Fundamentals of Machine Electronics (3)
HEQT 1211 Engine Fuel Systems (3)

Heavy Equipment Technology Brochures

Heavy Equipment Technology Brochure

Program Costs

Heavy Equipment Technology Degree

Program Outcomes

Heavy Equipment Technology

Evaluate electrical circuits and components possessing the ability to identify and replace faulty components.
Analyze hydraulic systems with the ability to determine if they are operating properly and if they are not, identify and replace defective components.
Analyze power trains systems, be able to troubleshoot, repair, and replace worn components.
Trouble-shoot and repair diesel engines related to Heavy Equipment.
Analyze air conditioning systems with the ability to diagnose and repair problems.
Perform repairs on equipment using safe work procedures observing all applicable O.S.H.A. standards.
Demonstrate work ethics which will make the individual successful in the workforce, and/or transfer to a senior institution.

Headlines

RLC earns national recognition for its trade programs

INA, Ill. (Oct. 5, 2020) — Rend Lake College’s trade programs rate among the best in the nation, according to a recent ranking from education website Learn.org. Learn.org recently published its list of the 50 Best Trade Schools Programs for the 2020-21 school year and RLC landed in the No. 18 spot. The website’s editorial team considered hundreds of universities across the country and selected...
Heavy Equipment Alignment Training underway at RLC’s improved Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. (Sept. 22, 2020) — Due to funding from the Delta Regional Authority, Rend Lake College hosted its first heavy equipment alignment training utilizing a mobile alignment lab at the Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus. There were 15 students and three instructors in attendance at the training, which covered topics like alignment angles, tire wear angles, rolling compensation, two...
Paying it forward: RLC donates to local high schools

INA, Ill. (Feb. 28, 2020) — Rend Lake College recently came bearing gifts for several local high school agriculture programs in the form of small and diesel engines. RLC was able to donate several engines to agriculture programs at Webber High School, Benton Consolidated High School and Wayne City High School. The engines will give local students a chance to gain insight into the mechanical side of...
Apprenticeship programs showcased at RLC

INA, Ill. (Feb. 26, 2020) — Students and businesses from around the region got a firsthand look at how apprenticeships benefit the local workforce Wednesday at Rend Lake College. RLC hosted Apprenticeship Works! — a program that showcased how local businesses have worked with the college to give students on-the-job training that will benefit them during their future careers. Current students...

Faculty & Staff

Dr. Gabriele Farner

Dean of Applied Science & Technology

Phone Extension: 1292

Building: Advanced Technology Center

Office: 138

M.S. & B.S., Southern Illinois University | Ph.D., Missouri Baptist University

Zachary Vahlkamp

Heavy Equipment Technology Associate Professor | Applied Science Division

Phone Extension: 7914

Building: Applied Science Center

Office: 114

A.A.S., Rend Lake College

Emily VanDeveer

Administrative Assistant | Applied Science & Technology Division

Phone Extension: 1261

Building: Advanced Technology Center

Office: 139

A.A.S - RLC, B.A.S - SIUC

Applied Science & Technology Division
Phone: (618) 437-5321 Ext. 1261
Email: [email protected]
Address: 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway, Ina, IL 62846 Attn: Applied Science
Fax Number: (618) 437-5677 Attn: Applied Science

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