Automotive Repair class builds rock crawler
Seizing on the thrill and the adrenaline rush associated with off-road riding, students in the Automotive Technology Program at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College are taking to the hills.
Students of Ronnie Daniels recently completed a “hybrid” vehicle constructed as a class project. They utilized parts from a 1948 Ford truck cab, the frame of a Toyota truck and the drive train from a three-quarter ton Chevrolet truck.
The project, according to Daniels, who for 13 years has taught automotive repair at SKCTC’s Harlan campus, is one the entire class endorsed and it also capitalized on the excitement generated locally by the recent opening of the Harlan County Off Road Park located near Evarts.
The recreational area, at Bailey’s Creek, was officially opened June 4 to ATV vehicles of all types and has lured riders from across the country to the Cloverfork area to ride along the hundreds of miles of isolated and rugged trails that were once used by the mining and timber industries.
The construction of the vehicle took about a year to complete with 18 students taking part in the project. The workers included traditional college students as well as high school students who are enrolled in Southeast’s Explore College.
Daniels explained the vehicle or “rock crawler” is actually a 4x4 off road truck and combines 2 transfer cases to allow for lower gear reduction. It also features a redesigned steering system aided by a hydraulic cylinder to allow the 40-inch wheels to turn more easily. Students built the steering system, saving approximately $2,000.
“It didn’t cost us much at all,” said Daniels, “that’s one of the great things about the project. We started the venture because the sport was just catching on here in the area, and we wanted to be able to test it (the vehicle), at the new park, but we also wanted to promote safe 4x4 off road riding.”
Daniels is also treasurer of the Kentucky Mountain Crawlers, a group that has been one of the leaders in the development of the park as well as being passionate promoters of the fledgling sport.
The local club attracts members who own stock or modified vehicles. He noted that members of the Kentucky Mountain Crawlers group are not usually riders of vehicles commonly called four wheelers. “We are only 4x4 trucks, stock and modified vehicles.”
While working on the project to construct the rock climber, Southeast students utilized the school’s state of the art workshops at the Harlan campus. Students worked tirelessly to sharpen their skills in areas of welding, transmission and differential design and construction, as well as chassis and suspension design.
The Automotive Technology Program at Southeast is a two-year curriculum leading to a diploma. Individuals can also receive a certificate for work completed.
The truck was recently test driven at the local park and passed with flying colors. “It was a fun project, something significant to what is going on locally, and the students thoroughly enjoyed building the rock crawler,” said Daniels. “It was a good way to learn.”
|
|
