Diesel Truck, Heavy Equipment & Power Generation Articles

Pennsylvania College of Technology is the recipient of a nearly $1.5 million federal grant to support students majoring in a transportation-related field. The National Science Foundation awarded $1,498,465 (grant No. 2221107) as part of its S-STEM program, which funds scholarships for academically talented low-income students.

Groff Tractor & Equipment is the latest Corporate Tomorrow Maker to visit the Schneebeli Earth Science Center to showcase its new equipment and technology to Pennsylvania College of Technology’s diesel, heavy equipment and power generation students. GT&E brought along a new John Deere 320 P-Tier backhoe and also engaged students in a classroom session on connected support and a diesel trivia contest.

An HB 365 LC excavator on loan from Komatsu, the largest currently used at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s heavy construction equipment operations site south of main campus, continues the company’s commitment to those who embody the industry’s future.

A three-year $625,861 grant from the National Science Foundation aims to streamline the pathway to a Pennsylvania College of Technology education for diesel students enrolled at career and technical education centers.

Twenty-eight participants from nearly a dozen career and technical education centers vied for glory in the diesel competition at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center, representing the readily attainable possibilities that await those pursuing an applied technology education. Berks Career & Technology Center (heavy equipment) won first place overall and received $5,000 in training funds courtesy of Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc.

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.