Associate of Applied Science in Agricultural Equipment Technology

Course OverviewCourse GuideAdditional Information

This degree is designed to develop technically competent professional agricultural equipment service technicians. Students receive state-of-the-art technical education on the latest agricultural equipment through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory instruction and supervised occupational work experience at a partnering dealership.

Communications (6 credit hours required)

COM 110 Interpersonal Communication	3 credits
ENG 121 English Composition I*	3 credits

Computer Science (4 credit hours required)

CIS 101 Introduction to Computers & Software

4 credits

Business (6 credit hours required)

BUS 104 Introduction to Business	3 credits
BUS 251 Organizational Behavior	3 credits

Industrial Studies (3 credit hours required)

INDS 151 Manufacturing Processes

3 credits

Mathematics (3 credit hours required)

MATH 109 Math for Technicians I

3 credits

Agricultural Courses (38.43- 40.43 credit hours required)

AGT 101 Hydraulic Theory & Operation	2 credits
AGT 103 Fundamentals of Engines	3 credits
AGT 104 Vehicle/Equipment Electrical/Electronic Fundamentals	3 credits
AGT 107 Preventive Maintenance & Service	2 credits
AGT 109 Heating, Venting & Air Conditioning Systems	2 credits
AGT 110 Service Information Systems	2 credits
AGT 112 Seeding & Tillage Equipment	2 credits
AGT 113 Hydraulic Systems*	2 credits
AGT 116 Combine Maintenance & Repair	3 credits
AGT 119 Vehicle/Equipment Electrical/Electronic Systems Operation & Diagnostics*	3 credits
WELD 105 Basics of Welding	0.43 credits
AGT 122 Precision Farming Systems & Techniques*	2 credits
AGT 125 Tractor Drivelines*	2 credits
AGT 207 Advanced Hydraulics*	2 credits
AGT 213 Diesel Engine Performance – Analysis & Tune Up*	3 credits
AGT 216 Equipment Shop Project*	4 credits
AGT 219 Diesel Tech Field Experience I (Internship)	1 credits
AGT 220 Diesel Tech Field Experience II (Internship)	2 credits
AGT 221 Diesel Tech Field Experience III (Internship)	3 credits
Total Credits:	60.43-62.43
*Course has a prerequisite

Scope & Sequence

Fall 1	Winter 1	Summer 1	Fall 2	Winter 2
AGT 101	AGT 104	AGT 219/220/221	AGT 112	AGT 109
AGT 103	AGT 113		AGT 125	AGT 122
AGT 107	AGT 116		AGT 207	AGT 216
AGT 110	ENG 121		AGT 213	BUS 251
AGT 119	INDS 151		BUS 104	COM 110
CIS 101	WELD 105		MATH 109	AGT 219/220/221
AGT 219/220/221	AGT 219/220/221		AGT 219/220/221

Effective: Fall 2017
Current/Updated: 3/01/17

Employment Information

Outlook

Employment of farm equipment
service technicians is projected
to grow 7 percent, about as fast
as the average for all occupations
through 2024 according to the
US Dept. of Labor. Demand for farm
equipment repairers will be driven
primarily by the need for
agricultural products to feed a
growing population. In Southwest
Michigan, current demand for
agricultural technicians is high.

Farm equipment technicians typically work for farm equipment dealers and large corporate farms to diagnose, service, repair, maintain and overhaul the equipment sold by that dealer. Vehicles may include tractors, harvesters, and other heavy farm equipment in addition to dairy equipment and irrigation systems. A person in this field may also repair small machinery such as lawn and garden tractors or very old farm equipment if their employer offers that service to the public.

Due to the complexity of modern farming machinery, well-trained farm equipment technicians have become an indispensable asset to the agricultural industry. Farm equipment technicians use basic hand tools, precision equipment, welding equipment and power tools to service and repair combines, tractors, tillers, hay balers and other large equipment necessary for farming. Typically, a farm equipment technician works in a well-lit and ventilated service center provided by the farm equipment dealer; however, occasionally he or she may be required to assist farmers with equipment in the field.

Farm equipment technicians’ work varies by time of the year. During busy planting and harvesting seasons, for example, mechanics often work six or seven 12-hour days per week. In the slower winter months, however, they work a normal week. The median annual wage for heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians was $47,120 in May 2015. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,360, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $69,840.

Program Information

The Agricultural Equipment Technology certificate and degree are designed to develop service technicians for the agricultural equipment dealers across all major equipment makes. Students receive state-of-the-art technical training on the latest major brand equipment through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory activities and supervised occupational work experience at a dealership if possible.

Is this for me?

Service technicians need good troubleshooting skills in order to determine the source of malfunctions. The job requires disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components and technicians need a steady and good hand-eye coordination. Technicians must possess good organizational skills and need to be able to lift heavy equipment, tools and parts without risking injury.

Classes for this two-year daytime, cohort program will take place at:

Burnips Equipment Co.
55232 Franklin Dr.
Three Rivers, Michigan