Diesel Technology – Heavy Equipment
The Diesel Technology – Off Road Equipment program at State Tech provides hands-on training with the advanced diagnostic tools, technologies, and systems used across the heavy equipment industry. Students gain real-world experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing major components of agricultural, construction, and earthmoving machinery.
Students enrolled in the CAT Dealer Service Technician Option, one of only 12 ThinkBIG programs in the nation, receive specialized instruction designed in partnership with Caterpillar. This exclusive option prepares students to work directly within the Caterpillar dealer network, combining classroom learning with hands-on experience on CAT equipment.
This program’s 8-week on-campus / 8-week internship cycle gives students valuable, alternating exposure to both the classroom and the job site, ensuring they graduate career-ready.
Graduates are prepared for careers in agricultural and construction dealer sales and service, equipment diagnostics, and maintenance. Whether they’re in the shop or the field, State Tech students learn to keep the machines that move the world running strong.
At State Tech, you don’t just work on heavy equipment: you keep the world moving.
Program Facts
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Why Study Diesel Technology - Heavy Equipment at State Tech
Job Demand
New technicians in this field are in high demand, and our hands-on curriculum will ensure you’ll spend plenty of time under the hood so that you succeed in the trucking service industry. In addition to traditional diesel-powered vehicles, you’ll also learn about hybrid powertrain systems, compressed natural gas engines and “green” diesel engines.
Hands-on Education
The Diesel Technology, Off Road – Heavy Equipment program prepares students to perform maintenance, troubleshooting, and rebuilding of the major components of earth-moving and agricultural equipment. Instruction is provided in the classroom and lab on theory, inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of the systems in heavy equipment. Some equipment operation is included to familiarize students with the equipment they are learning to repair.
Graduate Job-Ready
The program has been shaped with the help of industry advisors and you’ll receive a hands-on education working directly with the equipment. You’ll gain real-world experience through paid internships during the program, and will be prepared to obtain a Class A Commercial driver’s license.
What you'll learn
Earth-moving heavy equipment is a mighty must-have on many agriculture and construction sites, and keeping them working well is a big task. In this program, you’ll develop the technical tools and skills to start a career maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing major components of heavy equipment like bulldozers and excavators.
Alumni Success Stories
Program Details
Highlights
- The program’s structure features a dynamic 8-week cycle—8 weeks on campus followed by an 8-week internship, offering real-world experience alongside classroom learning.
- Equips students with the technical skills needed to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair major components of agricultural and earthmoving heavy equipment.
- Earn while you learn through paid real-world internship experience.
Interesting Courses
Knowledge and skills necessary to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain heavy equipment electrical/electronic systems, hydraulic and hydrostatic systems, power trains, whole equipment diesel engine repair, and skills necessary to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain heavy equipment heating and air conditioning systems.
Concentrations
Begin a career under the hood that’s always in demand. You can choose to pursue a career in one of these two programs, Diesel Technology – Heavy Equipment or Diesel Technology – Truck.
Career Possibilities
- Dealer Sales and Service
- Rail Sector
- Equipment Maintenance
- Agricultural and Construction Dealer Sales and Service
Truly hands-on education
We believe time-on-task has to be part of your education. That means time spent learning from experienced instructors in real-world environments and real-world situations. That’s why the State Tech campus is home to more than 50 labs, an automotive bay, aviation hangar, and 40+ acres of land dedicated to our heavy equipment operations program.
Meet the Faculty & Staff
Proud Supporters
Proud Supporter
Berry Companies is a proud supporter of State Tech and the Diesel Technology – Heavy Equipment program.
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