Heavy Equipment Technology
11 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
HET 061 Outdoor Power Equipment Operation and Maintenance
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
This introductory course familiarizes students with the basic operation and maintenance of different types of outdoor power equipment. Instruction covers the repair and maintenance of compact tractors, towable backhoes, lawn and brush equipment, portable generators, air compressors, pressure washers, ground vibrating plates, water pumps, gas powered saws, and many kinds of equipment powered by small displacement internal combustion engines. Students have the opportunity to perform minor repair work on their own equipment to complete required tasks. This course is designed to be a companion course to HET 062, HET 063, and HET 064, and is required for the Outdoor Power Equipment Maintenance Technician certificate. Students are encouraged to complete all four courses in order to obtain a firm foundation in the outdoor power equipment field.
HET 062 Outdoor Power Equipment Four-Stroke Engine Repair
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
This introductory course familiarizes students with the basic operation and repair of four-stroke outdoor power equipment engines. Instruction covers tools and service equipment, problem diagnosis, failure analysis, proper repair techniques, machining operations, and testing and adjusting after repairs. Students have the opportunity to perform engine work on their own equipment to complete required tasks. This course is designed to be a companion course to HET 061, HET 063, and HET 064, and is required for the Outdoor Power Equipment Maintenance Technician certificate. Students are encouraged to complete all four courses in order to obtain a firm foundation in the outdoor power equipment field.
HET 063 Outdoor Power Equipment Engine Systems
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
This introductory course familiarizes students with the basic operation and repair of outdoor power equipment engine systems. Instruction covers tools and service equipment, problem diagnosis, and proper repair techniques of air induction, exhaust, fuel, lubrication, cooling, electrical, ignition, governor, and power delivery systems. Students have the opportunity to perform engine work on their own equipment to complete required tasks. This course is designed to be a companion course to HET 061, HET 062, and HET 064, and is required for the Outdoor Power Equipment Maintenance Technician certificate. Students are encouraged to complete all four courses in order to obtain a firm foundation in the outdoor power equipment field.
HET 064 Introduction to Two-Stroke Gasoline Engines
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- READ 043 or appropriate placement
This introductory course familiarizes students with the basic operation and repair of two-stroke engines used in hand-held outdoor power equipment. Instruction covers tools and service equipment, problem diagnosis, failure analysis, proper repair techniques, and testing and adjusting after repairs. Students have the opportunity to perform engine work on their own equipment to complete required tasks. This course is designed to be a companion course to HET 061, HET 062, and HET 063, and is required for the Outdoor Power Equipment Maintenance Technician certificate. Students are encouraged to complete all four courses in order to obtain a firm foundation in the outdoor power equipment field.
HET 121 Introduction to Heavy Equipment Maintenance
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an introductory course designed to familiarize students with the fundamentals of periodic maintenance of various heavy equipment systems such as engines, hydraulics, drive trains, final drives, and hydraulic, and air brake systems. Students learn basic tools and shop equipment, and how to safely perform routine services and minor repair operations on heavy machinery. This course is designed to be a companion course to HET 122, HET 123, HET 124, and HET 125, and is required for the Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician Certificate. Students are encouraged to complete all five courses in order to obtain a firm foundation in heavy equipment technology.
HET 122 Introduction to Heavy Equipment Electrical and Diagnostic Procedures
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an introductory course designed to familiarize students with the basics of heavy equipment electrical systems. Topics include fundamental principles, electrical symbols and schematics, batteries, starting, charging, and lighting systems. Students will learn the proper use of electrical measuring tools and how to safely perform basic electrical tests and minor repairs. This course is designed to be a companion course to HET 121, HET 123, HET 124 and HET 125, and it is required for the Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician Certificate. Students are encouraged to complete all five courses in order to obtain a firm foundation in heavy equipment technology.
HET 123 Introduction to Heavy Equipment Mobile Hydraulics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an introductory course designed to familiarize students with the basic construction and operation of mobile hydraulic systems. Topics include hydraulic safety, fundamental principles, pumps, valves, cylinders and motors, hoses, couplers, and hydraulic symbols and schematics. Students learn the proper use of hydraulic tools and how to safely perform hydraulic tests and minor repairs. This course is designed to be a companion course to HET 121, HET 122, HET 124 and HET 125, and it is required for the Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician Certificate. Students are encouraged to complete all five courses in order to obtain a firm foundation in heavy equipment technology.
HET 124 Introduction to Heavy Equipment Powertrains
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an introductory course designed to familiarize students with the basic construction and operation of heavy equipment powertrains. Topics include principles of gears, friction clutches, fluid couplers, anti-friction bearings, planetary gears, and differential gear sets. Students learn the proper use of precision measuring tools and how to safely perform basic powertrain tests and minor repairs. This course is designed to be a companion course to HET 121, HET 122, HET 123 and HET 125, and it is required for the Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician Certificate. Students are encouraged to complete all five courses in order to obtain a firm foundation in heavy equipment technology.
HET 125 Introduction to Diesel Engines, Fuel Systems and Emissions
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 Lecture, 27 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an introductory course design to familiarize students with the basic construction, operation, and emission controls of the four-stroke diesel engine. Topics include engine blocks, rotating assemblies, cylinder heads, valve trains, and intake, exhaust, lubrication and cooling systems. In addition, fuel systems and diesel emission reduction strategies are also discussed. Students learn the proper use of diagnostic tools and how to safely perform basic engine tests and minor repairs. This course is designed to be a companion course to HET 121, HET 122, HET 123 and HET 124, and it is required for the Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician Certificate. Students are encouraged to complete all five courses in order to obtain a firm foundation in heavy equipment technology.
HET 290 Work Experience Education/Internship for Heavy Equipment Technology-Related Fields
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 3 Lecture, 54-216 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course supports and reinforces on-the-job training in business and industrial establishments under the supervision of a college instructor. Training is informed by learning objectives. Students work in a skilled or professional-level assignment in their area of vocational interest, and meet performance objectives related to instruction that are above and beyond the conditions of regular employment. This course is intended for students whose job is related to the field of heavy equipment maintenance and have completed or enrolled in the appropriate coursework. The course may be taken once and repeated for a maximum of 16 units. Contact the Work Experience Education Office regarding re-enrollment procedures.
HET 299 Directed Study in Heavy Equipment Technology
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 54-162 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Independent Study/Directed Study is intended for students who have the ability to assume responsibility for independent work and to prepare written or oral reports and/or appropriate projects. To enroll in an Independent Study/Directed Study course, students must possess a 2.5 overall grade point average or a 3.0 grade point average in the discipline of study being requested, or receive an exception from the instructor. Independent Studies/Directed Studies may be developed from any topic arising from or related to a course of study that will result in developing depth and breadth in that subject area. Students are expected to meet on a regular basis with their faculty sponsor and submit a final report or project, and student progress is evaluated at regular intervals. Academic standards for Independent Studies/Directed Studies are the same as those for other courses. Units are awarded in accordance to Title 5 regulations, with one unit of credit awarded for 54 hours of Directed Studies, 6 hours of which must be with an instructor. The instructor is responsible for monitoring student progress throughout the semester. Students may take directed study courses for a maximum of 3 units within a discipline, and may not accumulate more than a total of 9 units college wide.