ASHVILLE - High school students from throughout southern and central Chautauqua County who are enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Repair & Diesel/Agriculture Technology Program at the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES Hewes Educational Center in Ashville recently learned about cutting-edge engine technology from representatives of Hunter Peterbilt in Erie.
Representing the Peterbilt truck dealership was Don Eliot, who graduated from the Heavy Equipment Program at the Hewes Center in 1975 and visited the program at the request of Andy Johnson, the course's instructor. Joining Eliot was Josh Skinner, a recent graduate of the program under Johnson's tutelage who now works for Hunter Peterbilt. Eliot and Skinner provided Johnson's students with an overview of new diesel engine technology and gave them the chance to see this technology in action on two state-of-the-art trucks from Hunter Peterbilt - a 2012 Model 386 semi with a PACCAR MX Engine and a 2012 Model 389 water tanker with a Cummins ISX Engine.
Eliot provided real-life illustrations of what students are learning in the classroom - how trucks like these have recently switched to liquefied petroleum gas systems utilizing propane. The new technology meets new, more stringent federal guidelines on emissions while also reducing costs. Additionally, the organic compound urea is injected into the exhaust systems of these trucks, further reducing harmful emissions.
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Don Eliot, a representative of Hunter Peterbilt in Erie and a 1975 graduate of the Heavy Equipment Repair Program at the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, shows students enrolled in the program how a Peterbilt 2012 Model 386 semi dramatically reduces emissions.
Eliot also gave students an overview of the many job opportunities that have opened up for those trained in engine technology as a result of increased natural gas production from Marcellus Shale. In addition to heavy equipment used at production sites, methods of extracting natural gas from this formation requires a tremendous amount of water, leading to a high demand for water tankers like the Model 389.
The Heavy Equipment Repair & Diesel/Agriculture Technology Program is one of 13 two-year Career & Technology Education programs offered to high school juniors and seniors at the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES Hewes Educational Center that allow students to study a specialized field of their choosing while earning their Regents diplomas. Students enrolled in the program spend part of the school day at the Hewes Center training in the areas of equipment/engine installation, operation, maintenance, repair and construction.