Powered Lift Technician

 

Program Highlights

The heavy equipment field and requirements for technicians continues to expand! This 18-month (four semester) diploma prepares graduates to diagnose problems, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair a variety of powered lift equipment including manlifts, material handling equipment, and large cargo lifts such as those at railyards. Work for companies such as Wajax Industries, Liftow Ltd., Hewitt-Cat, Venetor Equipment, Sky-Jack Inc. or Yale Industrial. Choose employment in construction or industrial settings, service industries, in large manufacturing companies, or businesses as a Powered Lift Equipment Technician. In this program, you will receive a Motive Power Techniques ¿ Heavy Equipment certificate prior to entering the final specialized semester. You also have a one semester paid work internship where you can gain experience with a variety of heavy equipment machinery and powered lifts. After the successful completion of the fourth specialized semester, you will receive an Ontario College Diploma as a Powered Lift Technician.

 

Why Choose Fleming?

The Centre for Heavy Equipment Technology at Frost Campus in Lindsay is the only one of its kind in Canada. The Centre is known for its up-to-date equipment, extraordinary hands-on learning opportunities, high industry employment rates, and skilled, knowledgeable faculty.

The opportunity to acquire two specialized, in-demand skill sets, through a certificate in Motive Power Techniques--Heavy Equipment, and a Powered Lift Technician diploma, will broaden your career horizons.

 

Work Experience

* Students complete their paid internship at the end of semester two. In this program, you pay tuition and fees for three semesters.

 

What it Takes to Succeed

• An interest in working with heavy equipment
• Good manual dexterity
• Enjoyment of hands-on work
• Good problem solving skills
• Enjoyment of working with others

 

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)
• 1 College (C) Math course (Grade 11)

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

Recommended:

• Basic computer skills and mechanical aptitude.

Mature Students

If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

 

Selection Process

 

University Transfer Agreements

• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Basic Shop Practice	42.00
Electrical Systems I	75.00
Engines I	75.00
Hydraulic Systems I	75.00
Parts, Maintenance and Service	45.00
Powertrains I	75.00
Professional Portfolio Development	45.00
Welding & Materials	18.00
Semester 2
HET Internship	450.00
Semester 3
Electrical Systems II	75.00
Electronic Engine Management	60.00
Engines II	75.00
Environmental Issues for Industry	45.00
Hydraulic Systems II	75.00
Powertrains II	75.00
Shop Practice	45.00
Semester 4
Powerlift Electrical and Electronics	90.00
Powerlift Engine Systems	75.00
Powerlift Hydraulic Systems	90.00
Powerlift Powertrain Systems	75.00
Powerlift Safety and Regulations	75.00
General Education Elective

Semester 1

Basic Shop Practice

Course Number: MECH006

This introductory level course will consist of equipment circle checks, and identification of machine controls. A review of the operator's manual as well as safe manoeuvring procedures for equipment will be emphasized. This course will also consist of hands-on maintenance of engines, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, and drive lines of heavy equipment. Emphasis will be placed on the safe procedures and practices during the servicing of various pieces of equipment. This course will help to better prepare the student for their summer internship placement.

Units: 42.00
Hours: 42.00

Electrical Systems I

Course Number: ELCT008

This course studies electrical fundamentals including magnetism, current, voltage, resistance, series and parallel circuits. Meter usage, test equipment and electrical schematics will be emphasized. Electrical systems on heavy equipment such as batteries, starters, and alternators will be tested and evaluated.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Engines I

Course Number: MECH019

This Engines I course covers the theory and overhaul of diesel and gasoline engines. Wear measurements, valve grinding, cylinder honing, component evaluation, plastigauging, and cylinder bore measurements are some of the skills developed. Lubrication, cooling, fuel, intake and exhaust systems are also discussed with practical testing and diagnosis of system operation. Within a lab group, students will perform a complete disassembly and reassembly of an internal combustion engine. The shop work, which is part of this course, is designed to amplify the students' understanding of the topics discussed in the theory part of the course.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Hydraulic Systems I

Course Number: MECH030

This course begins with general hydraulic fundamentals and leads into a detailed study of hydraulic systems on heavy mobile equipment. Topics include pumps, cylinders, control valves, reservoirs, actuators, lines and fittings, fluids, hydraulic control circuits for machine implement, drive and steering functions, and troubleshooting of hydraulic systems on machines.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Parts, Maintenance and Service

Course Number: MECH046

This course introduces the student to the preventative maintenance required to minimize down-time on heavy equipment. Fuels, lubricants, synthetics, and their appropriate applications are studied along with oil analysis for wear particles. Safe hoisting, blocking, and handling of heavy components is included, along with safe use of tools, fire suppression equipment, and the appropriate use of fasteners, fittings, tubing, hoses and other shop equipment.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Powertrains I

Course Number: MECH048

This is the first of a two-part course (Powertrains I and Powertrains II) and it covers clutches, standard transmissions, planetary gearing, propeller shafts and U-joints, standard, no spin and limited slip differentials, planetary and non-planetary axles, final drives, air, hydraulic and disc brakes, tires and tire sizes, undercarriages, winches, suspension systems, machine safety, and maintenance procedures. The shop work, which is part of this course, is designed to amplify the students' understanding of the topics discussed in the theory part of the course.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Professional Portfolio Development

Course Number: GNED033

Get the Work You Want! This course will assist post-secondary students to locate and win positions they want in the workplace. The use and development of a professional portfolio will be emphasized. Through career analysis self-assessment, goal setting, and portfolio development participants will improve their ability to link their skills and knowledge to appropriate career positions. The basics of job searching will be enhanced with sessions on electronic resume posting, web site searches, and online job links. Participants will complete this course with the foundation of a professional portfolio and the knowledge to find the work they want.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Welding & Materials

Course Number: MECH071

Students' skills will be developed in all types of gas welding and cutting. Arc welding including MIG and hard facing will be practiced. In addition, students will study basic metallurgy and strength of materials.

Units: 18.00
Hours: 18.00

Semester 2

HET Internship

Course Number: APST031

The internship is an integral part of the learning and mentoring process for the trainees. Students will be required to complete a minimum of 15 weeks (450 hours) of work placement in a related field. This portion of the program will let students apply the skills they have obtained in the first semester. This credit must be earned before a diploma can be granted. To obtain a credit for the internship placement students must have their employer sign and complete the Heavy Equipment Technician Intern Evaluation Form and return it to the college no later than one month after completion of the work term.

Units: 450.00
Hours: 450.00

Semester 3

Electrical Systems II

Course Number: ELCT009

This course is a continuance of Electrical Systems I. Students will study more in-depth electrical fundamentals. Electronic devices such as semiconductors and other solid state devices will be emphasized and their applications in alternators, regulators and controls. Oscilloscope usage and proper wiring repair will be studied. Various types of wiring schematics and their interception will be analyzed.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Electronic Engine Management

Course Number: ELCT011

This course is an in-depth study of electronic engine controls including fuel and emission management for both gasoline and diesel engines. The focus will be to evaluate engine computer systems and their components including input and output devices such as sensors, actuators and stepper motors, etc. Other subsystems such as electronic transmission controls and antilock braking systems will be studied. System diagnosis and schematic interruption will be the main emphasis.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Engines II

Course Number: MECH020

This is the second of a two-part course (Engines I and Engines II) which it covers the theory, operation and adjustment of diesel fuel injection systems. Students test and calibrate a Cummins PT fuel pump, a Stanadyne distributor fuel injection pump, a Bosch in-line fuel injection pump, perform a Detroit and Cummins injector test on a Bacharach comparitor, perform a Cummins tune-up using dial indicators, and perform a Detroit Diesel engine tune-up, and then dyno test the engine on our Clayton Engine Dynamometer. Along with these projects students will remove, analyze and install a fuel system on a live diesel engine assigned to their group. The engine must then be ran to ensure proper procedures and that the engine runs properly by the completion of the course.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Environmental Issues for Industry

Course Number: GNED014

This course is designed for students who will work in an industrial setting. The course takes a broad look at environmental issues relating to industrial practices. In some cases, technical details of recovery/recycling processes are covered. Topics include industry's effect on and remediation of natural resources such as water, air, soil, and biotic life. New approaches by industry toward sustainability and waste management are also included.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Hydraulic Systems II

Course Number: MECH031

This is the second of a two-part course (Hydraulic Systems I and Hydraulic Systems II) which is a detailed study of advanced hydraulic systems used in the heavy equipment industry. The study begins with a review of hydraulic principles and culminates with a comprehensive study of systems containing pressure and temperature compensating systems and load sensing capabilities. Also detailed will be the theory and operation of pneumatic circuits for brakes, schematics and ISO symbols. Students will receive extensive hydrostatic drive systems training and evaluation of operating systems.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Powertrains II

Course Number: MECH049

This is the concluding part of a two-part course which covers torque converters, clutch packs, powershift, automatic and hydrostatic transmissions. It also covers electronically controlled powershift transmissions, hydraulic propulsion systems and electronically controlled hydrostatic drives, as well as machine safety and maintenance procedures. The shop work, which is part of this course, is designed to amplify students' understanding of the topics discussed in the theory portion of the course.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Shop Practice

Course Number: MECH052

This course will consist of hands-on practice in maintenance and repair of engines, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, and drive lines of heavy equipment. Air conditioning systems, climate control systems, ozone depletion prevention techniques and refrigerant handling will be the focus of this program.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 4

Powerlift Electrical and Electronics

Course Number: ELCT069

This course will provide an in-depth study of a variety of electrical systems found on powerlift equipment. Numerous electronic devices used on powerlift equipment will be emphasized. Electronic control systems and their components will be examined and tested. Proper wiring repair procedures will be studied. Various types of wiring schematics and their interruption will be analyzed for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical systems.

Units: 90.00
Hours: 90.00

Powerlift Engine Systems

Course Number: MECH173

This course will cover the theory, operation and adjustment of a variety of engine applications found in the powerlift industry. Students will test, adjust, calibrate, and diagnose common failures applicable to these units. The analysis of fuel and ignition systems will specifically targeted during this course.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Powerlift Hydraulic Systems

Course Number: MECH172

This course will focus on the study of powerlift systems and advanced hydraulic systems used in the industry. The study begins with a review of hydraulic principles and advances toward a comprehensive study of powerlift hydraulic systems. Specific machine/unit hydraulic applications will be reviewed and tested. Students will receive extensive training in hydraulic systems evaluation and diagnosis of operating systems. The course also covers the use and understanding of hydraulic schematics and the study of complex hydraulics systems. The student will be presented with pertinent diagrams and circuit design language commonly used in the field of powerlift hydraulics.

Units: 90.00
Hours: 90.00

Powerlift Powertrain Systems

Course Number: MECH174

This course will cover drive systems such as differentials and final drives and transmissions. It also covers electronically controlled propulsion systems and electronically controlled drives, as well as machine safety and maintenance procedures. Chassis and suspension systems will be review and analyzed. Powerlift-specific tire and wheel applications will be covered. The shop work, which is part of this course, is designed to amplify students' understanding of the topics discussed in the theory portion of the course.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00

Powerlift Safety and Regulations

Course Number: RECR095

This course of study consists of acceptable work place practices involving safety and safe repair practices of powerlift equipment. Safety regulations and applicable reporting procedures will be identified as used and required by industry. Personal protection equipment, hand signals, and equipment lifting and blocking methods will be emphasized in this course. Applicable codes and regulations will be reviewed. An in-depth study of load charts and lift capacities is an important part of this course.

Units: 75.00
Hours: 75.00