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Heavy Equipment Operations

The Heavy Equipment Operations program is designed to produce operators trained in the major classifications of earth moving equipment. The program starts in June and runs for eleven months. Students receive extensive training in the operation of dozers, scrapers, wheel loaders, backhoes, excavators, graders, and skid steers on a 40-acre operation site. Classroom instruction includes units in a number of related subjects such as grade operations, blueprint reading, and preventive maintenance. Attendance for all 1,235 instructional hours of the program is critical due to the hands-on nature of the program and federal financial aid requirements.  The Heavy Equipment Operations program is accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

Skills are developed on both simulated and actual construction projects. The college works with local agencies, high schools, and colleges in providing practical on-the-job experience when possible. Students will perform manual labor usually associated with these tasks such as bolting pipe and shoveling.

The program includes 120 hours of classroom and driving instruction to prepare students for the Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) written and driving examinations. In order to enroll or continue in the Heavy Equipment Operations program students must be eligible to take the Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) examination and maintain eligibility until a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is obtained. If the student becomes ineligible to take the Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) examination or loses their Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) the student will not continue in the Heavy Equipment Operations program. As in industry, students will be required to pass random drug tests to enter and remain enrolled in this program.

Enrollment in the Heavy Equipment Operations program is limited and students are selected for this program on a competitive basis. Contact the Office of Admissions for the specific application requirements and deadline.

Students will complete an internship or a directional boring course once they have earned a grade of “C” or better in all “Core Curriculum” courses and a grade of “D” or better in all General Education Requirement courses, pass the exit exam, and obtain the approval of their advisor. Students on internships are temporary employees of the company where they receive training. They are supervised by both their employers and by representatives of the college. In addition to the random drug testing described above, internship employers may also require drug testing. Students who do not pass a drug test during their internship will not continue in the Heavy Equipment Operations program.

The Heavy Equipment Operations program contributes to the green economy by burning the college’s used motor oil in a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) permitted furnace to heat the Heavy Equipment Operations building. The Heavy Equipment Operations department also recycles approximately ten tons of scrap iron annually from used undercarriages, bearings, and other equipment parts.

It is a graduation requirement of the Heavy Equipment Operations (HEO) one-year certificate for students to earn a grade of “C” or better in all “Core Curriculum” courses; due to state licensing requirements, students must earn a grade of “B” or better in the CDL class.

Graduates can expect to find entry-level employment in the following fields: county, state, and interstate highway construction; levee construction; agricultural construction; airport development; and commercial and residential construction.

To view program outcome data, visit https://statetechmo.edu/heavy-equipment-operations-program-facts/.

Program Mission

The mission of the Heavy Equipment Operations program is to provide the opportunity for students to develop the technical and interpersonal skills required to be successful in the horizontal construction industry.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to provide the opportunity for students to develop:

  • Knowledge and skills required to assure that procedures related to the operation of heavy equipment are followed in accordance with industry standards.
  • Technical competencies in the major classifications of earth moving equipment.
  • Effective communication skills necessary to succeed in the industry.

Certificate - One-Year (C1)

Classification of Instructional Programs - 49.0202


Core Curriculum

Credit Hours
HEO 100 First Aid and Safety 1
HEO 102 Basics of Heavy Equipment Operation 1
HEO 105 Orientation to the Trade 1
HEO 106 Introduction to Heavy Equipment Operations 1
HEO 108 Introduction to OSHA Regulations 1
HEO 121 Environmental Compliance 1
HEO 122 Applied Measurements in Construction 3
HEO 131 Heavy Equipment Operations Internship 3
or
HEO 145 Directional Boring 4
HEO 134 Safety and Loss Control 3
HEO 138 Advanced Operating Techniques 1
HEO 139 Grade Operations 2
HEO 146 Backhoe and Excavator 4
HEO 147 Dozer, Scraper, and Compaction Equipment 4
HEO 148 Loader 4
HEO 149 Motor Grader and Skid Steer 4
HEO 150 Commercial Drivers License 4
SUB-TOTAL 38-39

General Education Requirements

Refer to the General Education Requirements and General Education Courses in the College Catalog.

Credit Hours
Must Include:

Three credit hours from Area 1. Oral & Written Communication

3

Three credit hours from Area 5. Technical Literacy

3
May Not Include:
NST 101 Network Fundamentals 3
SUB-TOTAL 6

Graduation Requirements

Credit Hours
COM 125 Job Search Strategies 1

It is a graduation requirement of the Heavy Equipment Operations (HEO) one-year certificate for students to earn a grade of "C" or better in all "Core Curriculum" courses; due to state licensing requirements, students must earn a grade of "B" or better in the CDL class.

SUB-TOTAL 1
PROGRAM TOTAL 45-46

Courses

HEO 100: First Aid and Safety

This course is designed to introduce students to the possible safety hazards associated with working around heavy equipment. Students will become familiar with procedures sanctioned by the American Red Cross and receive training in the identification of emergency situations and safe performance of common construction applications.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 102: Basics of Heavy Equipment Operation

This course is designed to give the student a basic understanding of basic tools and blueprints used in the construction trade.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 105: Orientation to the Trade

This course introduces students to the different aspects and requirements for the heavy equipment operations trade as well as educates the student in the proper identification of the various types of equipment used in the industry.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 106: Introduction to Heavy Equipment Operations

This course introduces students to the identification, use, and application of heavy equipment including bulldozers, scrapers, excavators, and loaders. Students are provided a broad introduction to the processes of planning and executing earth moving activities on various types of construction projects.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 108: Introduction to OSHA Regulations

This course provides the required industry training that meets the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 10 hour safety training regulation. The areas of required studies are Introduction to OSHA, General Safety and Health, Personal Protective Equipment, Electrical Safety, Fall Protection, Cranes, Confined Space Entry, Excavations, Stairways and Ladders, Hand and Power Tools, and Motor Vehicles. To complete this course and receive the OSHA 10 hour certification card, the student must pass the OSHA written exam.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 121: Environmental Compliance

This course provides an introduction to the various federal and state laws which govern the construction industry, followed by more in-depth learning about the specific issues students are likely to encounter as heavy equipment operators. Students will gain an awareness of topics ranging from solid and hazardous waste management, to water and air quality, to cultural resources, endangered species, and specifics of regulations related to demolition and earthmoving that are common to the industry.

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 122: Applied Measurements in Construction

This course teaches practical mathematics with applications that apply to the horizontal construction industry. Topics include reading an engineer's scale, conversions of decimals to fractions and percentages, and basic calculations for earth work quantities. Methods and practice in calculating the areas and volumes of various geometric shapes as well as formulas and methods used to calculate cut and fill requirements on a job are also covered.

Credit Hours: 3

HEO 131: Heavy Equipment Operations Internship

The Heavy Equipment Operations Internship is comprised of on-the-job training provided by employers on actual construction sites. A training agreement specifies the tasks the student will be expected to perform.

Requisite:
Prerequisite Earn a grade of "C" or better in all "Core Curriculum" courses, a grade of "D" or better in all General Education Requirement courses, pass the exit exam, and obtain the approval of their advisor.

Credit Hours: 3

HEO 134: Safety and Loss Control

This course provides classroom instruction on the responsibilities of the finish operator and how these responsibilities affect financial losses due to safety and operation decisions. The student is introduced to basic skills for the finish operator covering basic project planning and scheduling techniques as well as coordination and communication of work assignments to heavy equipment operators and other trades and crafts. This course also describes project setup, materials purchasing, effects of soil testing, and primary safety programs.

Requisites:
Prerequisite HEO 100 minimum grade C
Prerequisite HEO 102 minimum grade C
Prerequisite HEO 105 minimum grade C
and
Prerequisite HEO 106 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 3

HEO 138: Advanced Operating Techniques

This course teaches advanced topics for equipment operators including safety, controlling and working around water, calculating costs, and the effects of different soil types.

Requisite:
Prerequisite HEO 134 minimum grade C

Credit Hours: 1

HEO 139: Grade Operations

This course provides the student with details about the staking and grading operations of construction projects. It addresses staking requirements for roads, commercial buildings, and trenches. Students are trained to read and interpret various plan sheets that contain grading information.

Credit Hours: 2

HEO 145: Directional Boring

This course introduces basic identification of directional boring machine components, safety, use of operators manuals, daily servicing, and operation of the machine. Students learn the correct procedure to start, move, and shut down the machine. Students will operate a directional boring machine to perform specific tasks in class and/or on-the-job.

Requisite:
Prerequisite Earn a grade of "C" or better in all "Core Curriculum" courses, a grade of "D" or better in all General Education Requirement courses, pass the exit exam, and obtain the approval of their advisor.

Credit Hours: 4

HEO 146: Backhoe and Excavator

This course introduces basic identification of components, backhoe and excavator safety, use of operators manual, daily servicing and operation of the machine teaching students to start the machine, move it, and shut it down. Included are basic backhoe and excavator operation and maintenance so that students will operate a backhoe and excavator to perform specific tasks.

Credit Hours: 4

HEO 147: Dozer, Scraper, and Compaction Equipment

This course teaches operation, maintenance, and component identification of dozers, scrapers, and compactors . Students learn how to operate this equipment to perform specific tasks. This course also covers the use of operators manuals and daily servicing of these machines.

Credit Hours: 4

HEO 148: Loader

The student will be introduced to the practical operation of a front end loader to perform specific tasks, basic loader operation and maintenance. Students will also be introduced to basic identification of components, front-end loader safety, use of operators manual, daily servicing and operation of the machine to the point where the students can start the machine, move it, and shut it down. Operation of a front end loader to perform specific tasks will be taught.

Credit Hours: 4

HEO 149: Motor Grader and Skid Steer

This course will introduce basic machine operation and maintenance including identification of components, safety, use of operators manuals, daily servicing and operation of the machine to the point where the student can start the machine, move it, and shut it down. The student will also operate a motor grader and skid steer loader to perform specific tasks.

Credit Hours: 4

HEO 150: Commercial Drivers License

The Commercial Driver's License (CDL) course is a professional course focused on the fundamentals of safe driving practices and identifying the hazards of a Class "A" Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV). The student will be able to inspect a commercial motor vehicle, perform basic maneuver skills, and display safe on-road skills on public streets and highways.

Requisite:
Prerequisite Instructor's permission based on verification of: 1) driving record that is eligible for a Missouri Class A CDL, 2) complete, current, and valid Medical Examination Report and Certificate for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination, and 3) successful drug screen(s).

Credit Hours: 4

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