Diesel Truck, Heavy Equipment & Power Generation Articles

Among the learning opportunities for educators this summer at Pennsylvania College of Technology was the inaugural Diesel Career & Technical Education Teachers Externship, attracting 13 instructors from Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The two-day, immersive professional development opportunity was designed for CTE instructors to collaborate with their contemporaries, explore advancements in the field and remain on the cutting edge of instruction in the diesel discipline.

“Accelerated Learning,” the 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck operated by the Diesel Performance Club of Pennsylvania College of Technology, notched a second-place finish at the East Coast Truck Nationals, held recently at Numidia Dragway in Columbia County. It was an impressive showing for the truck’s first sanctioned, competitive event.

It may be summer, but Penn College’s Diesel Performance Club and its 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck (nicknamed “Accelerated Learning”) are not taking any time off. They’re geared up for the East Coast Truck Nationals, set for this Saturday, June 22, at Numidia Dragway in Columbia County.

Students enrolled in the Summer Operations Class taught by Seth J. Welshans were busy Tuesday applying finishing touches to Penn College’s Heavy Construction Equipment Operations Site for Baja SAE Williamsport, scheduled to begin tomorrow. The students moved tons of mulch and flattened the section dedicated to the acceleration event.

Follow the transformation of Penn College's 125-acre Heavy Construction Equipment Operations Site from a wide-open training space to the competition playground where 100 teams will battle it out for top bragging rights. The video shows how Penn College faculty, staff and students, as well as corporate partners, prepared the college’s site at Brady Township for the competition that will take single-seat, off-road vehicles through various challenges, including a four-hour endurance race.

With Baja SAE Williamsport fast approaching, a dedicated crew from Penn College General Services has spent several hours working at the event’s location: the Heavy Construction Equipment Operations Site in Brady Township. College horticulturists have cut down potentially dangerous limbs and dead trees to protect participants and spectators at the competition, scheduled for May 16-19.

Kenworth of Pennsylvania has donated a Paccar MX 13 engine to Pennsylvania College of Technology. The equipment is the first MX engine introduced into the college’s diesel technology labs, stirring enthusiasm from students and faculty. The donation will give students real-world experience in diagnosing and repairing Paccar engines.

A collective effort incorporating the talents of Pennsylvania College of Technology students, staff and faculty, as well as expertise and services from regional companies, is preparing the school to host Baja SAE Williamsport, May 16-19. The renowned international competition will feature 108 collegiate teams and approximately 1,000 participants, representing 34 states, Brazil and Canada.

Penn College’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center was the site for the Pennsylvania Future Farmers of America Northern Region Competition, held Tuesday with about 175 high school students in attendance. The FFA chapter members hailed from 25 schools in the Northern Region's 22 counties.

Despite some rainy days, progress continues for Baja SAE Williamsport at Penn College’s Heavy Construction Equipment Operations Site. A combination of contractors and members of the Service Technicians & Operators’ Association, have been busy at the Brady Township location, preparing it for the May 16-19 competition.