Heavy Diesel Construction 

18 Months – 95 Quarter Credit Hours

Starts:  8/18/2025

2025 2026 Tuition:  $31,466

Admission Requirements

Application Fee, Application for Admission, Enrollment Agreement, High School Diploma or GED, Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Clearance, Accuplacer Testing or SAT Scores.

Program Overview:

Two Year Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) Degree Program

The Heavy Diesel Construction Case Construction Emphasis AST Degree Program encompasses hands-on training courses in heavy diesel construction. These courses provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in some of the most in-demand and satisfying technical career opportunities available today.

Heavy Diesel Construction – Case Construction Emphasis students will work hands-on from a basic knowledge of tooling and hardware through detailed diagnostic trouble shooting of engines and equipment. The students are required to complete theory classes then move into the shop to use what they learned in real world situations. Along with the basic curriculum, the students will be introduced to live projects on a day-to-day basis, while maintaining the fleet of school-owned equipment.

CPI has partnered with Case Construction Equipment to offer students training on today’s technology. This partnership ensures CPI will always have the current technology available to use as training aids on the newest equipment industry has to offer.   In the Case Construction emphasis, students are taught how to accurately diagnose faults specifically on Case Construction Equipment and Case New Holland Industrial (CNHi) Technology. Students that graduate will have the experience working with the Case local dealership network – Groff Tractor, as well as comprehension on full spectrum operations. This program is designed to prepare and place trained graduates in a rewarding career in the heavy construction industry.

Entry-Level Career Opportunities:

• • Heavy Equipment Service Technician
  • Field Service Representative
  • Service Manager
  • Service Writer
  • Part and Service Sales Representative
  • Groff Tractor and Equipment. Inc. Facility
  • Case Construction Equipment’s 1,225 dealerships in North America

Maximum # of Students Per Class:  16

Program starts in August. Please check with CPI Admissions and review the Program Enrollment Agreement for specific start date.

Courses In This Program Include:

First-Term/Quarter Credits
HDC-121 Workplace Safety 2.0
HDC-122 Tooling, Hardware, and Fabrication 1.0
HDC-141 Basic Diesel Engines 4.0
HDC-142 Power Train Systems 4.0
MTH-131 Technical Mathematics 4.0
PSS-125 Pathways to Success with Integrated Technology 3.0

Second-Term/Quarter Credits
HDC-143 Air Conditioning Systems 3.0
HDC-144 Steering, Alignment, and Suspension 3.0
HDC-160 Heavy Equipment Maintenance 3.0
PHY-155 General Physics 4.0
EEI-134 Industrial Safety 3.0

Third-Term/Quarter Credits
HDC-156 Brake Systems 3.0
HDC-155 Electrical Systems 3.0
CDL-131 Basic Commercial Driving 1 4.0
HDC-231 Hydraulic Symbols and Schematics 1.0
HDC-232 Hydraulic Systems 3.0

Fourth-Term/Quarter Credits
HDC-195 Groff Externship 8.0

Fifth-Term/Quarter Credits
COM-121 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3.0
CDL-141 Basic Commercial Driving 2 3.0
HDC-221 Case Power Systems 3.0
HDC-222 Case Electrical and Electronic Systems 3.0

Sixth-Term/Quarter Credits
COM-130 Technical Writing 3.0
HDC-271 Case Equipment 1: Excavator and Skid Steer 3.0
HDC-272 Case Equipment 2: Compact Wheel Loader and Backhoe Loader 3.0
SOC-151 Customer Service 3.0

Seventh-Term/Quarter Credits
HDC-273 Case Equipment 3: Wheel Loader 3.0
HDC-274 Case Equipment 4: Bulldozer and Road Grader 3.0
HDC-275 Case Equipment 5: Compaction Rollers 3.0
SOC-233 Introduction to Leadership 4.0
SOC-221 Professionalism and Employment Readiness 2.0

Total Quarter Credit Hours:………………………………………………………………….…95.0

Course Descriptions

CDL-131 (4.0 Credits) – Basic Commercial Driving 1
This course teaches students requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and other regulatory agencies related to the operation of commercial equipment. Students will be taught to prepare for the PennD0T Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Permit (if applicable) and will review basic operating techniques (shifting, backing, alley-docking, and serpentine turns) of commercial vehicles through off-road driving and simulation training.

CDL-141 (3.0 Credits) – Basic Commercial Driving 2
Students continue their coursework beginning with learning the fundamentals of on-road driving utilizing multiple configurations of equipment (example: tractor/trailer combination, flatbed operations, dump truck operations, and variable transmission systems). Students culminate their program by taking a PennD0T CDL exam (if applicable). CPI has partnered with Case Construction Equipment to offer students training on today’s technology. This partnership ensures CPI will have the current technology available to use as training aids on the newest equipment industry has to offer. Additionally, Case Construction Equipment provides the latest industry equipment instructor training.

HDC-121 (2.0 Credits) – Workplace Safety
This course will teach students how to work in a safe environment for themselves and fellow employees. It will cover shop safety practices including identifying safety materials (SDS sheets), fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, first-aid kits, electrical power shutdowns, lock-out/tag-out, and personal protection equipment.

HDC-122 (1.0 Credit) – Tooling, Hardware, And Fabrication
This course will teach students on all tooling used in the Heavy Diesel Construction industry. It will start with basic hand tooling, air and electrical power tools, and shop tooling, and end with precision measuring tools. This course also provides students with instruction on many different types of hardware found in the industry. Students will be required to identify different styles, types, and grade classifications of hardware. Additionally, this course is designed to teach students basic fabrication skills such as basic GMAW and SMAW welding, basic oxyacetylene torch set up, and cutting, grinding and cutting with an electric grinder, along with additional safety on these types of equipment.

HDC-141 (4.0 Credits) – Basic Diesel Engines
This course will cover the basic diesel engine. Students will look at how it came to be, the advancements from a simple
mechanical engine through all electronic controlled engines. The students will be required to disassemble, measure critical parts, and reassemble an engine to running condition.

HDC-142 (4.0 Credits) – Power Train Systems
This course will take a student through a complete heavy-duty truck system. It will start with clutches and follow the power flow to the tires. It will include transmissions, drive shafts, rear drive axles, hubs and wheel bearings, and wheels and tires.

HDC-143 (3.0 Credits) – Air Conditioning Systems
This course covers the basics of air conditioning systems from common fault areas to installation and repair. Students will have the opportunity to earn their Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) 609 mobile refrigerant credential through this course.

HDC-144 (3.0 Credits) – Steering, Alignment, And Suspension
This course is designed to instruct students on complete steering systems on heavy duty trucks and wheeled heavy equipment. It will take the students through the system from the steering to the wheels and tires. This course also instructs the students on the different types of suspension systems used in heavy duty truck systems. Students will review types of suspensions and how they affect alignment and how to properly service them.

HDC-155 (3 0 Credits) – Electrical Systems
This course starts as a basic electricity theory and will move through lighting circuits, internal cab circuits, engine electronics, and multiplexing. Students will be required to build, diagnose, identify, and troubleshoot all types of circuits. This course also delves into deeper electrical, and electronics components and issues related to electrical systems. Students will be taught multiple control circuits, usages of controller networking, and key concepts of troubleshooting.

HDC-156 (3.0 Credits) – Brake Systems
This course covers all brake systems used in the industry today. From light duty hydraulic braking systems to heavy duty air brakes, the students will identify and learn proper service techniques and adjustments.

HDC-160 (3.0 Credits) – Heavy Equipment Maintenance
This course is designed to teach students proper repair and service procedures on various types of heavy equipment. All of the subsystems will be tied together to make a machine function. Students will also be taught proper safety and troubleshooting techniques on different types of machines.

HDC-195 (8.0 Credits) – Groff Externship
Students will complete an externship at a Groff Tractor and Equipment, Inc. facility to experience real-world workplace situations including settings in the shop and on the road working with technicians, in the service areas focusing on customer interaction, as well as in the parts, sales, and rental departments. This valuable on-the-job experience is intended to enhance the knowledge and skills gained from course work in the Heavy Diesel Construction – Case Construction Emphasis Program.

HDC-221 (3.0 Credits) – Case Power Systems
This course will cover the major fuel components of Case engines along with the addition of Tier 4 emissions. Students will also revisit the basics of hydraulics through the online modules with Case New Holland (CNH) Web University.

HDC-222 (3.0 Credits) – Case Electrics and Electronic Systems
This course is designed as an introduction to electrical systems used on agriculture and construction equipment. Upon completion of this course, the student will have a basic understanding of the theory and basic principles of electrical systems. They will be taught how to test basic electrical systems and the application of troubleshooting techniques. After covering the basic electrical the students will learn how to set up, maintain, and proficiently use the Case Electronic Service Tool (EST). This course will also include programming equipment with the EST.

HDC-231 (1.0 Credit) – Hydraulic Symbols And Schematics
The symbols and schematics course teaches students how to read and interpret diagnostic diagrams and hydraulic system and/or company technical manuals utilized for conducting troubleshooting and repairs.

HDC-232 (3.0 Credits) – Hydraulic Systems
This course provides instruction on how hydraulics work and are used in the industry today. Various systems and subsystems are covered, as well as all the components related to hydraulics. This course works with different styles of pumps, valves, and actuators. Components are dismantled and reassembled to demonstrate how each component functions relative to each other.

HDC-271 (3.0 Credits) – Case Equipment 1: Excavator And Skid Steer
This course consists of introductory information regarding the Case New Holland and Kobelco line of compact excavators and shop training that addresses troubleshooting, diagnostics and repair of the hydraulic systems, electrical systems, and power train on the Case New Holland (CNH) Compact Excavators. This course also consists of classroom and shop training that addresses troubleshooting, diagnostics, and repair of the hydraulic systems, electrical systems, and power train on the Case Skid Steers. Emphasis will be placed on the ElectroHydraulic (EH) controls on the ‘Alpha / 200’ series machines and will apply to both Tier Ill and Tier IV units. This course will outline steps the technician will use to troubleshoot EH control units using the Electronic Service Tool (EST).

HDC-272 (3.0 Credits) – Case Equipment 2: Compact Wheel Loader And Backhoe Loader
This course consists of classroom and shop training that addresses troubleshooting, diagnostics and repair of the hydraulic systems, electrical systems, and power train on the New Holland Compact Wheel Loaders W50c and WBOC and the Case Compact Wheel Loaders 21F, 121F, 221F & 321F. This course also consists of classroom and shop training covering the theory, operation, troubleshooting and diagnosis of hydraulic, electrical, electronic, and power train systems used on the new Case N Series Tier 4B Final Loader Backhoe models.

HDC-273 (3.0 Credits) – Case Equipment 3: Wheel Loader
This course consists of classroom and shop training that addresses troubleshooting, diagnostics, and repair of the hydraulic, electrical, and power train systems on the Case (521 through 1121) ‘F’ series wheel loader models.

HDC-274 (3.0 Credits) – Case Equipment 4: Bulldozer And Road Grader
This course consists of classroom and shop training focused on system operation, diagnostics, and repair of the hydraulic, electrical, and the hydrostatic power train systems on Case Crawlers Dozer models: 750M, 850M, 1150M, 1650M, and 2050M. This course will also consist of classroom and shop training focused on familiarization of system operation. Diagnostics, and repair of the hydraulic system, electrical system, and power train on the Case Motor Grader models: 845B, 865B, and 885B.

HDC-275 (3.0 Credits) – Case Equipment 5: Compaction Rollers
This course consists of classroom and shop training that addresses troubleshooting, diagnostics, and repair of the hydraulic systems, electrical systems, the closed loop hydrostatic drive system and power train on the Vibratory Compaction Single Drum Rollers, Double Drum Rollers, and the Pneumatic Tire Roller.

EEI-134 (3.0 Credits) – Industrial Safety
This course reviews basic workplace safety concepts and practices. Focus is on the common causes of workplace accidents and the role of OSHA and other federal and state agencies in regulating safety.

COM-121 (3.0 Credits) – Fundamentals Of Public Speaking
This course is designed to introduce the student to public speaking. The student will be taught tactics to overcome fears about speaking in public. The course will focus on preparing the speech, delivering the speech, evaluating the delivery, and improving delivery. The student will prepare and deliver informative, demonstrative, and persuasive presentations.

COM-130 (3.0 Credits) – Technical Writing
This course involves the study and practice of writing in professional settings. It is designed to help students learn and apply concepts of effective written communication appropriate for careers in technical and trade fields. The course will help the student develop the essential skills of a professional technical communicator with an emphasis on producing clear and effective written communications. Topics presented in the class include identifying keys to effective writing, characteristics of job-related writing, the writing process, collaborative writing, electronic communications, preparing professional correspondences, designing documents, writing instructions and procedures, writing short reports and proposals, and preparing presentations.

MTH-131 (4.0 Credits) – Technical Mathematics
This course is designed to teach mathematical concepts that will allow the student to become proficient in mathematics commonly used in various technical and trade fields. Course topics include manipulations of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, ratios, and measurement systems. The student will be taught to work with exponents, roots and radicals and will be introduced to basic principles of algebra, plane geometry, triangle trigonometry, vectors, and quadratic equations.

PHY-155 (4.0 Credits) – General Physics
This course is designed to provide the student with an algebra-based introduction to the general concepts and principles of physics. Course topics will include forces and motion including motion in one and two dimensions, circular motion, rotational motion, equilibrium, and elasticity. The course will also include principles of impulse and momentum, energy and work, thermal properties of matter, fluids, electric fields and forces, electric potential, current and resistance.

PSS-125 (3.0 Credits) – Pathways to Success Seminar with Integrated Technology
New students need to develop strategies and skills necessary for success in higher education. Topics include transitioning to post-secondary learning, setting academic goals, managing time and keeping organized, learning and studying, preparing for and taking tests, understanding policies, and utilizing electronic resources. Students will learn and practice fundamental skills in composing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. During the course, students will be given the tools to help them attain academic success, and to become independent, motivated learners.

SOC-151 (3 .0 Credits) – Customer Service
This course is designed to help the student develop a heightened awareness of the challenges and opportunities in customer service. In this course, the student is introduced to a variety of skills, including identifying customer behavior, determining customer needs through active listening, becoming an effective verbal and nonverbal communicator, honing telephone customer service skills, handling difficult customers, encouraging customer loyalty, and practicing service recovery.

SOC-221 (2.0 Credits) – Professionalism And Employment Readiness
This course is designed to prepare the student for the job search and entry into the workplace. The course will commence with teaching the student how to construct a resume, cover letter, and thank-you note. The student will be taught essential interview techniques and will complete a mock interview. The course will conclude with an overview of the basic concepts of professionalism in the workplace.

SOC-233 (4.0 Credits) – Introduction To Leadership
This course is designed to introduce the student to principles of leadership including, leadership theories, styles of leadership, motivating employees, team­building and conflict management. Upon completion of this course, the student should understand principles related to ethics and whistle­blowing, giving praise, networking, giving instructions, situational communication, and conflict mediation.