Going to Diesel/Heavy Equip School

[DValentine]

I wouldn't skip school, by any means. You asked what I thought about school. What I am trying to say is that school can only cover so much. As I said I wouldn't go for a short course. Go 2 year or a combination 4 year degree. I am not sure how old you are... . but for me life looks a lot different now than it did when I was in school. In school I just wanted to get out and get to work. Looking back you need not be in a hurry to get out in the work force... . once in, life piles bills and other things on and it is hard to get back to school. I know people do it, I am saying it just gets tougher.

I am not sure what kind of job you want- Heavy equipment, OTR trucks, Stationary equipment, Fork trucks, Mining equipment, Marine engines, Automotive.....
Bmoeller was right that most good shops send you to yearly training.
I worked in a Mom/Pop shop and the training was a angry boss who had forgotten how much he knew and how long it took him to accumulate that knowledge.

What every way you go you will need to know something about hydraulics, electronics, engines, trannys, brakes, and suspentions. I still go back to my books now and then for some question that comes up.

Sincerely

Dave

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

I've been out in the field about 2yrs now; and I miss my tech school days terribly. Don't get me wrong; I do love my job. Just alot more headaches now. I was a pretty decent student I thought, but there are still days I wished I had payed alot more attention in class; Electronics especially. School is great for getting you started, OTJ training cannot be replaced either. Doesn't hurt to have a little mechanical aptitude to begin with:-laf



Alot of the guys I went to college with turned their text books back in for money, not me; I kept mine. Like DValentine, I still go back to mine from time to time.



The hardest part about my job now is not the work, it's mainly the coworkers I catch all kinds of heck for being young and somewhat educated(2yr degree and ASE master cert. ) Most guys I work with are 10+ yrs older than me. Not that I have a problem with them, but they obviously have one with me. I catch alot of these same guys letting things slide and not completing jobs to the fullest of their abilities(slackers)#@$%! Burns me up. This would probably not be as big an issue if you were to work at a larger shop that was a little more training oriented, such as DDC, CAT etc... I work for company fleet; about 1000 trucks close to 3x that trailers. I still love working on trucks though, guess you'll have pain in the rear coworkers at near any job.



As far as your work schedule, they're all over the map. The first place I worked was strictly 7-4pm maybe 1-2hrs on Sat, No OT. Now I'm working about 10hrs a day, and all day every 3rd Sat; lots of OT



The college I went to mainly focused on OTR med/hvy duty trucks. I think about 75% of us ended up in that field, there are a few went to ag/equipment. A few ended up in county bus maint.



One thing I learned was not to be disappointed in the pay rates, their usually not quite as good as your instructors will lead you to believe. It may differ in your area depending on how close to major cities you are.



Sorry for the rambling, just a few things I thought might help.



Steven

 

[ChrisOlson]

Ok here is seattle community college

http://tintin.seattlecentral.edu/maritime/

Here is there marine engineering program.

http://tintin.seattlecentral.edu/programs/marineeng.php


another program that is in Astoria OR is this one
http://tonguepoint.jobcorps.gov/

http://tonguepoint.jobcorps.gov/jobs/seamanship.html


I have guys and gals come straight from these schools and go to work working
On our ships making 50. 000 plus a year to start and that is working 6 months out of the year

These are ship jobs you will be gone for a week or 2 weeks .
chris

 

[steveinaz]

I would recommend the Think Big Program. I work for a Cat dealership in Az. I get apprentices all the time. They are taught well and the hands on that they get in our shop is well received.



I personally started in this field on a lube truck in the local union. I moved to a field mechanic after some years(3 years). Empire, the local Cat dealer, was recruiting so I applied. I tested well and came in near the top pay. Empire sends me to 2 week long, in depth classes a year and the benefits are untouchable by any other outfit. In my second year with them I made very near 70,000. No regrets here. SteveinAZ

 

[bmoeller]

Are you suggesting I skip school and go straight to work? Or, maybe just go for a certain block, such as electrical or hydraulics. Sure would save a lot of time and money.

I wouldn't skip school, by any means. You asked what I thought about school. What I am trying to say is that school can only cover so much. As I said I wouldn't go for a short course. Go 2 year or a combination 4 year degree.

I agree with Dave... .....

 

[IngrahamS]

I went to a 2 year tech school for automotive which taught me the basics, powertrain, electrical ,etc. I have been working at CAT repairing equipment for a year now and I am absolutly loving it, They have sent me for training at the main cat dealer in my area several times for 3-4 day classes on hydraulics, computer, and new CAT tech classes. I am sure many other dealers do the same, It's a great field to be in, hope all goes well for you.

-Stew

 

[Sri Ram]

Thanks for all the comments, and keep 'em coming!



DValentine: I'm not sure what route I'll go. There's a lot of opportunity in the Puget Sound region for marine and logging applications. But there's also a lot of OTR trucking. I figure I can decide in school. Would you agree?



Maybe it's time I stated my motives. I've been managing a warehouse for the last six years. But, I've got a family now and need more job security; i. e. better pay and hours, health insurance, etc. I've always had "mechanical aptitude," as Steven put it, but lack the training to put it to work.



Carolina: I feel your pain about dumba**es on the job! You get that anywhere you go, though, in any of the trades. How valuable has ASE cert been for you? And, were you able to pass the exam straight out of school? Anyone else think ASE is the way to go? Honestly, there are so many specializations, I'm a little overwhelmed. :{

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

Being ASE Certified certainly isn't required. It's not quite as prevelant in the trucking/hvy duty field now as it is in automotive, but it is gaining status. It's pretty valuable to me, may be different for other people. Helps you get a foot in the door. I find that the "Excellence" in "Automotive Service Excellence" is often missing from others work I try to strive to do my best at what I do, although I am far from a genuis or the best.



Having that patch on your sleeve certainly draws more attention to your mistakes, they can't seem to remember those 3,000 other things/problems you caught/fixed At least that's the way it happens to me.



I took my tests the next November from when I graduated in May, so not far out of school. It helps a little bit while it is fresh on your mind. I took 7 of the 8 for Diesel med/Hvy duty, 7 is what is required for "Master" I passed them all, but a few were a little tough. Good Luck with your decision, hope this helps.





Steven

 

[JGrefenstette]

Well i have to say im happy to see others interested in this field. I am about to finish my jr. year in highschool, and am planning to go to the 2 year John Deere Ag Tech program at Guilford Technical Community College in NC. carollina cummins, your probly familiar with this school at least, depending on where in the state you are. I am homeschooled and am going to take my sr. year of highschool at the local community college this fall/next spring. iam then going to transfer to the ag tech program with some of the accademic courses already done. I will have the choice to stay an extra year after my 2 years of john deere, and get certified in otr trucks and general heavy equip. if i chose. I would love to take the 3rd year if i am able to, because this would open my options down the road. i have visited the school and met the instuctors and toured the shop and got a good feel for how things run. it is a beautiful shop with bran new JD equipment. donated from john deere. it is a quality operation. i am starting work at the local john deere dealer this summer as an assymbler, since im not 18 i cant work in the shop. The way the school works, i will have two periods, one during each spring semester in wich i will come home for 8 weeks and intern at the dealership. this is a paid period of learning/working experience. and the Lord has been good to bless me with good people to deal with also. the owner of the dealership is already working with me one plans for going to school, and my future with the company. he has offered me a scollarship also. it is real exciting considering this is my dream job, and everything has come into place perfectly so far.

so good luck with your plans to go to diesel school also. i know im much younger and not half as knowlegable or expirienced as the majority of the guys on here, but everyone ive talked to about the trade has said good things. even the ones that got out of it wish they were still in it and enjoy the work.



soo good luck to you. i somewhat understand what your going through, as i get closer to the exact same process. i wish you only the best.

 

[DValentine]

Good luck JG, with your quest. As I said before, even if life's road leads you in other directions you will always fall back on your knowledge of mechanical processes. Education, either by schooling or school of hard knocks, is a good thing. Each one has a price.


Dave

 

[bmoeller]

Good luck JG, with your quest. As I said before, even if life's road leads you in other directions you will always fall back on your knowledge of mechanical processes. Education, either by schooling or school of hard knocks, is a good thing. Each one has a price.



Dave

Right on. Glad to see a fellow homeschooler, too. I know of one that graduated from a 2 yr college course several weeks before he graduated high school. He was wanting to be a lawyer.



Can't go wrong with Deere. Ag or heavy equipment. I know quite a few retired Deere workers. Manufacturing, experimental and management sectors. A LOT of green machines around here. We run nearly 100% Deere farm equipment where I work. 5,6,8 and 9000 series tractors. 60 series STS combine. Also have one old 401C (not 410 ) backhoe.

 

[Sri Ram]

Good luck to you, JGrefenstette, and thanks for the encouragement! I think there are exciting things coming up as Diesel techology advances. We're getting on board at a good time.

 

[Dl5treez]

I'm not too far from you, and moved back here (WA is home) after 7 years in the midwest because the market for diesel techs in our area is good. Nobody can find a wrench qualified to work, as right now any who are unemployed have baggage... . problem attitude, no skill, can't pass a pee test, etc.

There is plenty of opportunity around here, with good pay. Not the best in the nation, but pretty good considering it's not the freezing north or the middle of an ocean.

I went to Wyoming Tech, but could've probably got just as good an education here locally. It seems there are two types of people coming out of tech school--those who think they know it all, and those who want to learn as much as they can..... guess which type makes it in the field?

We in the Pac NW are fortunate to have nearly the entire spectrum of diesel-related occupations to choose from, but keep in mind if you work in a company or government fleet shop you'll be wrenching on much more than just diesel equipment.

Just last week I worked on four Kenworth dump trucks (with various CAT, Cummins, and Detroit engines), two Kenworth chip trucks (Detroit Series 60 575hp), a 71ft tractor tug powered by 16V149 Detroits, a Nordberg C-series jaw crusher, a Hogzilla tub grinder (3412 CAT 1000hp), a 9hp Honda-powered trash pump, a EM3500EX Honda generator (7hp), various Ford pickups, a P&H 135 ton barge mounted sea crane, and a Stihl 029 chainsaw. Gotta be a good 'mechanic' to work in a company/municipality shop.

Shoot me a PM with your phone number if you want to chat.

Dan-
Elma, WA

One more quick thing to add..... my father (retired after almost 50 years in the woods) once told me if I can turn wrenches, pull levers, shift a RoadRanger, and be adorable to the ladies, I'd never be out of a job. Working as a diesel mechanic nearly fills all four of those requirements... chicks dig greasy mechanic ball caps. :-laf

Thanks for all the comments, and keep 'em coming!

DValentine: I'm not sure what route I'll go. There's a lot of opportunity in the Puget Sound region for marine and logging applications. But there's also a lot of OTR trucking. I figure I can decide in school. Would you agree?

Maybe it's time I stated my motives. I've been managing a warehouse for the last six years. But, I've got a family now and need more job security; i. e. better pay and hours, health insurance, etc. I've always had "mechanical aptitude," as Steven put it, but lack the training to put it to work.

Carolina: I feel your pain about dumba**es on the job! You get that anywhere you go, though, in any of the trades. How valuable has ASE cert been for you? And, were you able to pass the exam straight out of school? Anyone else think ASE is the way to go? Honestly, there are so many specializations, I'm a little overwhelmed. :{

 

[Sri Ram]

One more quick thing to add..... my father (retired after almost 50 years in the woods) once told me if I can turn wrenches, pull levers, shift a RoadRanger, and be adorable to the ladies, I'd never be out of a job. Working as a diesel mechanic nearly fills all four of those requirements... chicks dig greasy mechanic ball caps.

Sage advice!:-laf Dl5treez, you've got a PM.

 

[Sri Ram]

I've settled on Bates Technical College. Gave my notice at work…Got myself a modest roll away…School begins the first week of Sept. I took a tour of Intercity Transit's maintainance facility (the regional bus transit system). I was impressed and motivated by their operation. If I cut the mustard, I could be apprenticing there by next April.



Although I may not have as regular access to a computer once I leave my job, I'll try to post now and then to let y'all know how it's going. Thanks everyone for the comments and guidance!

 

[CogginsP]

I've settled on Bates Technical College. Gave my notice at work…Got myself a modest roll away…School begins the first week of Sept. I took a tour of Intercity Transit's maintainance facility (the regional bus transit system). I was impressed and motivated by their operation. If I cut the mustard, I could be apprenticing there by next April.



Although I may not have as regular access to a computer once I leave my job, I'll try to post now and then to let y'all know how it's going. Thanks everyone for the comments and guidance!

Good luck with everything. I have less than a year in the military now and am thinking about going to the Cat think big program. Guess I will see how it all plays out. Good luck!

 

[Sri Ram]

Good luck with everything. I have less than a year in the military now and am thinking about going to the Cat think big program. Guess I will see how it all plays out. Good luck!

And good luck to you!

 

[DValentine]

I have heard of Bates, but can't remember where it is. Portland? Is it a 18 month, or 24 month? When I started, I bought a Craftsman set and grew from there. With tool trucks coming to school, it is easy to get in over you head in tool bills. I've been there. Let us know how it goes.


Dave

 

[Sri Ram]

Bates is in Tacoma, WA, but the Diesel program is at the south campus, almost in Lakewood. The Bates program info says the average time til graduation is 18mos. I hear ya about the tools! I have an assortment of basic tools already, nothing fancy, just Craftsman. But, it should be enough to get started.

 

[TyThompson]

How about this?

Heavy equipment can be fun.

Of course it was fun figuring out why this D8 no longer wanted to move.

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