This course is an introduction to agricultural machines and equipment. Agricultural machine uses, terminology, components, efficiencies, characteristics, and maintenance will be studied. Topics relating to safety, power transfer principles (gears, belts, chains, and fluid drives), field operations, hitching, operator manuals, trends in machinery, and basic machinery management will be examined.

This course is a study of global positioning systems (GPS) technology and how it can be used in agriculture, outdoor activities, orienteering, land resources, transportation and in a large number of other applications. Class participants will use handheld and mapping grade GPS receivers and become familiar with GPS data collection, DGPS or differential correction, processing of spatial data, map types, coordinate grinds, map datum, amd waypoints. Students will learn how to link GPS receivers with computers and equipment, manage GPS data with software, upload and download coordinate information and create printouts of patial data, locations and routes.

Meets MSU-Northern General Education Core Technology (CAT VII) requirement.

This course is a study in the use of agricultural technologies from a management perspective. Topics will include a study in the use of technologies in the management of agricultural finances, land, machinery, crops and livestock. Computer and software technologies will be used for budgeting, enterprise accounting, enterprise analysis, recordkeeping, and to analyze machinery decisions and costs. FINPACK and other arm/ranch financial planning and machinery analysis software will be featured.

Petroleum products and their application to the fuel and lubricating requirements of automotive and diesel vehicles. Laboratory tests related to octane, distillation, volatility, viscosity, carbon residue, API degree, and dropping point of greases. Chemical analysis will be made by gas chromatography and infrared.

Includes lecture and laboratory hours.
Meets MSU-Northern General Education Core Natural Sciences (CAT III) including the laboratory requirement.

This is a course in the study of electrical/electronic fundamentals applied to automotive and commercial vehicle systems. It includes theory, design, diagnosis, and repair of wiring and circuits, batteries, alternators, and starters. The use of test instruments and electrical troubleshooting manuals currently recommended by industry will be emphasized. Ohms law and circuit analysis, as it applies to industry will also be examined. Students will fulfill computation requirements for Certificate of Applied Science and Associate of Applied Science by completing this course.

Course Fee: $20.00

Theory and application of hydraulics and pneumatics used in automotive, agriculture, heavy equipment, and construction industries.

To be taken concurrently with DIES 214

An introductory course covering care and use of arc and oxyfuel, and gas metal arc (short circuit) welding equipment, regulators, torches, cylinders, power sources, electrodes, characteristics of operation, welding of steels and special applications. Introduction to techniques of welding mild steel. Mechanical properties of metals and types of joints are also covered.

Corequisite: WLDG 111

An introductory course covering care and use of arc, oxyfuel, and gas metal arc (short circuit) welding equipment, regulators, torches, cylinders, power sources, electrodes, characteristics of operation, welding of steels and special applications. Introduction to techniques of welding mild steel. Mechanical properties of metals and types of joints are also covered.

Corequisite: WLDG 110
Course Fee: $50.00

Introduction to maintenance, repair, and adjustment of balers, swathers, rakes, and other forage harvesting equipment.

Introduction of AG tractors covering sizes, types, efficiencies, preventative and minor maintenance of tractor components and applications of AG tractors.

Course Fee: $15.00

Introduction to theory, preventative maintenance, repair, and adjustment of conventional and rotary combines.

Course Fee: $10.00

This course will cover the repair, maintenance, adjustments, and calibrations of tillage, seeding and spraying equipment. Electronic control systems will be examined on all systems.