Diesel Truck, Heavy Equipment & Power Generation Articles

Work has begun at Pennsylvania College of Technology's heavy construction equipment operations training site in readiness for the estimated 1,000 competitors expected for the international Baja SAE competition next spring. The college will host about 100 teams – each with single-seat, all-terrain vehicles that they've designed and manufactured – that will converge there from May 16-19 for Baja SAE Williamsport.

For 25 years, a vintage Mack road tractor – appropriately nicknamed “Accelerated Learning" – has served as a rolling lab that continually reflects the latest industry technology available to diesel students at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center. And while there have been periods of highs and lows in enthusiasm during that quarter-century of transforming the vehicle into a drag truck, the current level of excitement and activity is off the charts.

More than two dozen employers were at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday for another in Career Services' series of program-specific Recruitment Days. As the morning chill burned off under welcome sunshine, the day heated up with productive dialogue about full-time, part-time and internship opportunities for students in diesel, heavy equipment and power generation majors.

Diesel students from Brad R. Conklin's Basic Electricity and Heavy Duty Brake Systems courses went to Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc. in Pittston on Thursday to observe a mock technician competition. Comprised of the top Isuzu technicians in the United States, the team will travel to Japan next month to compete against entries from 33 other countries to determine the best Isuzu technician team in the world.

A diesel instructor at Pennsylvania College of Technology has received Caterpillar Inc.'s Pathfinder to Excellence Faculty Award in just his first year of teaching. A plaque was presented to Andy S. King, a member of the diesel equipment technology faculty at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, during an advisory committee meeting of Caterpillar dealer representatives at the college’s Thompson Professional Development Center.

Motor Truck Thermo King, a Corporate Tomorrow Maker at Pennsylvania College of Technology, has donated a new Precedent S-750i trailer refrigeration unit that greatly enhances career-building students’ exposure to the latest equipment. “The S-750i refrigeration unit has been available less than one year, and our students will now be able to be better prepared to enter the industry with confidence,” said Brad R. Conklin, instructor of diesel equipment technology.

A corporate takeover of the friendliest kind was waged Friday at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, where Caterpillar dealers – whose benevolent interest in Penn College's Tomorrow Makers is as noticeable as the company's yellow and black color scheme – brought equipment, recruitment and nourishment to the diesel, heavy equipment and power generation programs.

A cross-curricular group of eight students and two faculty members recently traveled south for Komatsu Demo Days and a factory tour, hosted by one of Pennsylvania College of Technology's valued Corporate Tomorrow Makers.

A Spring Car Show, organized by a trio of student groups, will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday on main campus.

Highway Equipment & Supply Co. has loaned an ASV Inc. skid-steer loader to Pennsylvania College of Technology, continuing 20-plus years of instructional support for students and faculty at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center.