Caterpillar Again Adds to Equipment Fleet at Earth Science Center

Continuing a historic investment in the students who ultimately will bolster the workforce at its dealerships, Caterpillar Inc. recently donated a used track-type tractor to Pennsylvania College of Technology's School of Natural Resources Management.

The Cat D6K Dozer, valued at nearly $200,000, will be used in the heavy construction equipment program at the college's Schneebeli Earth Science Center. The program's three associate-degree majors including a Caterpillar-sponsored technician emphasis provide students the opportunity to develop skills in service, repair and preventive maintenance of heavy construction equipment.

"Several Caterpillar dealers in the Northeast recognize great value in hiring Penn College graduates as qualified service technicians," noted Mark F. Wilkinson, product support operations representative for Caterpillar's Harrisburg District. In fact, he quoted Alban Tractor's Karl Quinn another longtime supporter of the college in noting how little training Penn College graduates need (outside of human-resources orientation) to get them up to speed.

"To continue in this tradition, Caterpillar trusts the donation of this Cat D6K Dozer will put much-needed current technology in the hands of these competent students," Wilkinson added. "We are pleased to foster the working relationship between Penn College and our dealers."

The equipment will be used in as many as nine classes in the heavy-equipment and diesel curricula, ranging from Powertrain and Brake Systems to Diesel Equipment Air-Conditioning Systems to Machine Electronics.

"We are very pleased that Caterpillar has chosen to support the college with a gift of this magnitude," said Brett A. Reasner, assistant dean of natural resources management. "This machine brings Caterpillar's cutting-edge technology to our students students who now will have the opportunity for hands-on learning of Caterpillar's SystemOne Undercarriage, Cat engines with ACERT Technology, and the latest electronic controls and diagnostics systems."

Caterpillar developed ACERT as a means of meeting clean-air regulations without sacrificing the vehicle's fuel economy. The D6K also features hydrostatic drive for enhanced maneuverability and seat-mounted controls for operator comfort and precision.

Members of the college's Caterpillar network annually support students in diesel, heavy equipment and electric power generation majors through their Excellence Fund, and a number of employees and dealer representatives sit as corporate advisers to the school.

For more about the School of Natural Resources Management at Penn College, call (570) 320-8038, send e-mail or visit online .