Going to Diesel/Heavy Equip School

[Sri Ram]

Haven't settled on a school yet, but since I'm in Olympia it's either Bates in S. Tacoma or Centralia College. If anyone has gone to the program at either school or can recommend another program in the area, can we talk? I would welcome any input, thoughts, warnings, etc.

 

[Sri Ram]

I'd appreciate any general thoughts/comments on the trade, too.

 

[jmorse]

What ever school you choose, make sure they are very heavy into teaching the eletrical side of things. Almost all of todays equipment use computers to operate the engines,hyd. pumps ect. . You will also need to know hydraulic systems extremely well, if you go the heavy equipment repair. I've been working in the equipment repair feild for 27 years and I enjoy it very much. Good luck.



Jim

 

[DValentine]

I agree with Jim. I went to a 2 year tech school, graduating in 99. The industry was moving rapidly toward electronic controlled equipment, but the stuff we worked on was a few years old... . so not cutting edge. Ours was more truck based and we only had a few "new" engines and one new transmission. My thought is that you get what you pay for. Some schools may have newer equipment that will better serve you for jumping into the work place. I would advise against the 18 month schools. There is too much to learn in that short of time. Some schools are offering 4 year combination degrees with the tech and 2 years of business management, for example.

Look at how much the engine of our trusty Dogde has changed in the 10 years from 97 to 07 and how it is controlled.



Dave

 

[Sri Ram]

Look at how much the engine of our trusty Dogde has changed in the 10 years from 97 to 07 and how it is controlled.

Shoot, my Dodge is a 91! Things have changed a bit since then.



Centralia College has an engine for each student, not a big displacement, just a cummins 5. 9 or powerstroke or the like. Last year, the newest engine at Bates was a 2002, IIRC.

 

[BigYellowIron]

Check into the Caterpillar "Think Big" program. If has a strict plan. It is sponsored by Caterpillar and the local Cat dealers. Cat always donates equipment and components right from the proving grounds so most all of the stuff is current or only a couple years out of date. I went thru it and is is heavy into electronics. Although it is Caterpillar specific all of the fundimentals are the same with all makes. The cool thing about it is that you get to intern at the dealer for 4 eight week internships and the dealer pays you. I cannot remember if there is a school around your area that offers the program. It would be worth looking into.

 

[Sri Ram]

There is a Cat dealer in Fife between here and Tacoma. I'll look into it.

 

[BigYellowIron]

Here is a link:



http://www.cat.com/thinkbig

 

[Sri Ram]

Looks like I'd have to go to Portland 2 hours away for school and to Seattle 1 hour away for the internship. They'd have to guarantee me my dream job for me to commute that far.

 

[DValentine]

What is your dream job?

 

[ChrisOlson]

Same Question as above



what is your dream job



how old are you, how hard do you want to work?



do you want to work on stuff like this

 

[ChrisOlson]

8000 hp enterprise V16 diesel Marine application.

 

[bmoeller]

You will also need to know hydraulic systems extremely well, if you go the heavy equipment repair.

Same goes for ag equipment.

 

[bmoeller]

I agree with Jim. I went to a 2 year tech school, graduating in 99. The industry was moving rapidly toward electronic controlled equipment, but the stuff we worked on was a few years old... . so not cutting edge. Ours was more truck based and we only had a few "new" engines and one new transmission. My thought is that you get what you pay for. Some schools may have newer equipment that will better serve you for jumping into the work place.

I graduated in '97 from a 2 year tech school.



At the time, the newest electronic engines we had were 1 PSD, N14 Select+, 3126, 3406B PEEC, Series 60 DDIII and a few others. I see they have an ISX Cummins now and newer trucks.



The engines we had in engines lab were nearly all mechanical, but the principals are the same. Deere, Cummins, Cat, Mack, Detroit (6-71, 8V92 and Series 60), Volvo.



Everyone had their own engine to tear down/reassemble and run. We had to do 2 engines. I did a Deere 6076A and a Cummins 855 BCIII.



The school is in Ankeny, IA ( www.dmacc.edu/programs/diesel ) , but worth checking out. Dealt with lots of electronics and hydaulic systems. Mostly geared for big trucks and heavy equipment, but we did have several tractors and some Ford pickup trucks (Ford ASSET was in the other end of the building) to work on.

 

[rbattelle]

I have not had any of this sort of training, so I have nothing useful to add here. I just wanted to wish you best of luck for a rewarding career, whatever you choose.

The value of education is immeasurable.

Ryan

 

[Sri Ram]

Thaks, Ryan. I appreciate the encouragement. Thanks to Chris, too. Yeah, I'd be happy working on something like that! As for my dream job: 5 days/wk, some weekends/holidays (read OT); $16-20/hr to start, $20-60/hr after a year or two (remember, this is a dream ); comprehensive health, sick leave, vacation, retirement; no more than 20 min from home; working with my hands AND head; lots of details to keep track of, and learning all the time in a busy workplace; oh, and a very large tool stipend . Sheesh, I could go on an on about this! Realiastically, once I make journey level, I'll probably go for a job with the regional bus transit system; or, since I live in the state capitol, work in one of the many departments headquartered here.

For those who have been entry-level Diesel mechanics, how important is it to know all the latest technology straight out of tech school? The difference between the schools I've looked at are few. Won't I learn the specifics on the job?

 

[Sri Ram]

Any two-year tech school grads care to chime in here? Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[DValentine]

Honestly, I felt pretty confident when I left school. Soon found out I didn't know much at all. School gives you a place to learn some basics, theory and also the "knowledge" of where/how to find information. My instructors always said, "You can't remember it all. You just need to know to find the information. "

I started out making 8. 50 an hour (in '99). I was spending most of that buying tools. I had a tough time for a while. Things in my life changed and now I am a welder.


Dave

 

[bmoeller]

Dave is right. The teachers can only give you the basics. You'll learn more on the job, than anywhere else.

Most of the big truck shops will send you to courses to get to know all of the new stuff that is coming out. Some are brand specific. Detroit being one of the them. ~ 2 weeks at a time.

Most of the guys I went to school with worked for a Detoit shop, and that is what they did.

 

[Sri Ram]

Dave is right. The teachers can only give you the basics. You'll learn more on the job, than anywhere else.

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.