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Diesel Technology

person working on an engineDiesel technicians repair and maintain the diesel engines that power transportation equipment such as semi-trucks, buses and locomotives, mobile equipment, including bulldozers, cranes, road graders, farm tractors, and combines. Technicians must be versatile to adapt to needs of customers and new technologies including the use of a variety of electronic and computerized testing equipment to pinpoint and analyze malfunctions in electrical systems and engines. Diesel careers can take you from a repair shop, to a farmer’s field or construction site, to a company maintaining their vehicle fleet, to the transportation authority of a large city or railway, to working on semi-trucks, or to an agricultural implement dealership. Technicians may work on a vehicle’s electrical system one day and do major engine repairs the next. In eighteen months Salina Tech Diesel Technology students are trained in this high tech field through classes, and hands-on projects in our top-of-the-line facilities. 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Service Representative, Sales and Parts Representative, Small Business Owner, Fuel Injection Specialist, Diesel Technician, Service Manager, Store Manager

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Video Overview - Diesel Technology Program

Diesel Technology Certificate
First Semester Credits Third Semester Credits
DST 105 Basic Engines 7   DST 205 Torque Converters & Power Shift Transmissions 7
DST 120 Electrical Systems 8 DST 210 Hydraulics, Hydrostatic Drive, Steering & Suspension Systems 8
   
TOTAL CREDITS: 15 TOTAL CREDITS: 15
       
Second Semester Credits   Fourth Semester Credits
DST 110 Basic Power Trains & Cab Air Conditioning 8   DST 215 Diesel Fuel Injection Systems 7
DST 220 Major Diesel Engine Overhaul, Dyno Testing & Tune-Up 7
DST 115 Brakes-Hydraulic & Air 7
TOTAL CREDITS: 15 TOTAL CREDITS: 14
    TOTAL CERTIFICATE CREDITS: 59

Associate of Applied Science Degree: 74 Credits. To complete the Associate of Applied Science Degree, select 15 more credits from the General Education requirements found in the Degree and Certification Information.  Visit with your instructor or the Director of Student Services for possible options.

First Year/First Semester

DST 105 Basic Engines, 7 credits.
Theory of operation, principles and construction of two and four stroke cycle, single and multiple cylinder engines. It includes timing the engine to factory specifications. Disassembly, inspect, measuring all parts and compare to factory specifications. Reassemble and make all adjustments. Performance is exhibited by assembly adjustment, and running the engine.

DST 120 Electrical Systems, 8 credits.
Basic electrical principles and application of magnetism and electromagnetism including the design, operation, and testing of lead acid batteries are taught.  Course material also includes the use and operation of electrical meters: principles of operation and testing procedures for cranking motors, switches, drives and operation, testing, and repair of AC charging systems.

First Year/Second Semester

DST 110 Basic Power Trains and Cab Air Conditioning, 8 credits.
This course covers the theory of power transmissions from the engine to the rear wheels including clutch, transmission, drive line, differential, and rear axle. Disassembly, inspection, adjustments, and reassembly of single and double countershaft transmission and differential are covered. The diagnostic theory, identification of components, and service of cab air conditioning will be studied.

DST 115 Brakes– Hydraulic and Air, 7 credits.
Students study the theory of hydraulic and air brakes, disassemble and reassemble, inspection of master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake assembles, and power brake units.  Also included in this section are the operation, inspection and troubleshooting of air compressors, foot and hand valves, relays, tractor protection valves, air driers, moisture ejectors, cam type, wedge type air disc brakes, air brake chambers, spring brake chambers and trailer air brake systems.

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Second Year/Third Semester

DST 205 Torque Converters and Power Shift Transmissions, 7 credits.
Instruction includes principles and application of the operation, disassembly, failure analysis, rebuilding, testing, and troubleshooting of torque converters, countershaft and planetary power shift transmissions. Manual, automatic, and electronic shifting in valve controls are covered.

DST 210 Hydraulics, Hydrostatic Drive, Steering, and Suspension Systems, 8 credits.
Students learn the principles and application of operation, disassembly, failure analysis, rebuilding, testing, and troubleshooting for pumps, actuators, reservoirs, lines, fittings, fluids, hydrostatic drives, steering systems, and pilot operated systems and electronic hydraulics.

Second Year/Fourth Semester

DST 215 Diesel Fuel Injection Systems, 7 credits.
This course covers the principles, applications, and operations of removing, testing, rebuilding calibrating, timing and installation of the four major diesel fuel injection systems including: distribution pumps, inline diesel pumps, PT pump/injectors, and unit injection systems. Course material also includes the operation and troubleshooting of electronic fuel systems.

DST 220 Major Diesel Engine Overhaul, Dyno-Testing & Tune-up, 7 credits.  (Prerequisite: DSL 105)
This course is designed to cover the diagnosis and dyno testing for the major engine overhaul of various diesel engines ( tune-up/overheads) including parts estimate, flat rate overhaul hours, removing, disassemble, failure analyses, rebuilding, dyno break-in installation and final touch-up painting of the overhauled engine.

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