Academic Programs - Butte College
Heavy Equipment Operator Technician
Program Year (2024-2025)
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About the Program
The Heavy Equipment Operator Technician program can be obtained in one year. It is an exciting, hands-on approach is used to introduce students to a wide range of skills for classroom laboratory work to closely reflect field experiences. Construction equipment operation requires good hand-eye coordination and demands attention to details like timelines, precision driving, coordination of multiple operations, and following plan directions. Development of problem solving skills and safe and cooperative work habits is emphasized. Students who successfully complete the program requirements will have the operation, repair and diagnostic skills necessary to obtain entry-level employment. Each year, the demand for qualified operators and maintenance technicians increases. Our partners include Operating Engineers Local 3, Caltrans, CDF, local and statewide contractors, and agricultural companies. Most jobs are obtained with smaller contractors. Jobs are also available in production, agriculture, land leveling, orchard removal, and with other agricultural employers.
Program Requirements
For current program requirements ->
2025-2026
Certificate of Achievement in Heavy Equipment Operator Technician
Program Goal:
CTE
GE Pattern(s):
None
Program Code:
07260.00CA
Program Learning Outcome(s):
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Explain the principles of operation and maintenance required to operate and support modern agricultural and industrial powered equipment.
Demonstrate the ability to safely and correctly maintain and operate a range of agricultural and industrial powered equipment.
Evaluate career opportunities, prospective employers, and skills necessary to achieve employment.
Click Here for Program Map
Required courses:
31 Units
AB 20
Careers in Ag/Env Sci/Nat Res
Unit(s):
1.00
Transfer Status:
CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours:
34.00
Total Course Hours:
51.00
This course is a study of the agriculture, environmental science and natural resources industries with a focus on career opportunities, self evaluation, and skills necessary for successful job procurement. Topics include job trends, resumes and cover letters, interviewing skills, and the types of careers available in agriculture, environmental science, and natural resources.
AET 26
Basic Surveying
Unit(s):
3.00
Transfer Status:
CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours:
68.00
Total Course Hours:
153.00
This is a basic surveying course. Topics will include selection, care and use of tapes and levels; field observations, note taking and office computations; use of surveying instruments and equipment for land measurement and mapping; practice in differential, profile, and contour leveling; building foundation layout; horizontal angles; cut and fill measurements and calculations for land grading. Laser and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology will be introduced at the basic level.
AET 30
Tractors & Crawlers
Unit(s):
3.00
Transfer Status:
CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours:
68.00
Total Course Hours:
153.00
This course covers design principles, selection, maintenance, adjustment, and safe operation of wheel and crawler type tractors used in agriculture and in the construction industry. (C-ID AG-MA 108L).
AET 34
Farm Machinery
Unit(s):
3.00
Transfer Status:
CSU
Contact Hours:
42.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours:
85.00
Total Course Hours:
153.00
This course involves the design principles, uses, maintenance, adjustment, calibration, and repair of machinery used in California agriculture. Emphasis is placed on primary and secondary tillage, planting, chemical application, and harvesting equipment. Selection and operation of both machinery and tractors will be practiced. Safety will be stressed throughout.
AET 35
Heavy Equipment Methods
Corequisite(s):
AET 36
Unit(s):
3.00
Transfer Status:
CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours:
102.00
Total Course Hours:
153.00
This course will examine construction regulations, erosion control, drainage, environmental mitigations, soils and aggregates, technical report writing, interpreting blueprints and site plans, applied mathematical calculations, management skills, fleet management practices, project organization, and entrepreneurship.
AET 36
Heavy Equipment Operation
Corequisite(s):
AET 35
Unit(s):
6.00
Transfer Status:
CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 204.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours:
68.00
Total Course Hours:
306.00
This course covers selection, operation, service, and adjustment of heavy equipment used in agriculture and construction industries. Also covered are measurement and techniques used in preparing roads, building sites, and other projects as may be required in the field using heavy equipment.
AET 38
Diesel Engines & Machine Syst
Unit(s):
4.00
Transfer Status:
CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours:
102.00
Total Course Hours:
204.00
This course presents the theory, operating principles, application, component parts, support systems, maintenance, adjustment, and repair of Diesel engines and related systems used on modern trucks and heavy equipment used in the construction and agricultural industries. The related systems include electrical, power train, hydraulic, and Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems.
AET 43
Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems
Unit(s):
2.00
Transfer Status:
CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours:
34.00
Total Course Hours:
102.00
This course is an introduction to the theory, operating principles, application, graphical symbols, component parts, systems, maintenance, adjustment, and repair of hydraulic and pneumatic systems used on modern trucks and heavy equipment used in the construction and agricultural industries.
AET 44
Grade Setting
Unit(s):
2.00
Transfer Status:
CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours:
34.00
Total Course Hours:
102.00
This course will cover reading site plans, interpreting grade stakes, and setting grades to ensure that earth-moving work meets specifications, using both manual and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) methods.
WLD 20
Beg Welding
Unit(s):
4.00
Transfer Status:
CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
/ 153.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours:
34.00
Total Course Hours:
204.00
This course includes oxyacetylene welding (OAW), oxyacetylene cutting (OFC-A) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) processes, in the flat and horizontal positions on various joint details. It will also include safety procedures, electrode identification, joint fit-up and alignment, base metal preparation, weld quality, beads and fillet welds, with focus on theory and practice. All welds will meet the American Welding Society (AWS) qualification standards.
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About the Program
Program Requirements
Student Experiences
Contacts
Thomas Williams, Chair
(530) 895-2496
Department Office: WM 105
(530) 895-2551
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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