Press contact: Angela Try

SPRINGFIELD — Sloan Implement, Co., Inc. donated a 2023 John Deer 6R 130 tractor, valued at more than $175,000, to the LLCC diesel technologies program at Lincoln Land Community College. 

“We can’t thank Jeff Sloan and his company enough for this generous donation,” said Jeff Gardner, program director, LLCC diesel technologies. “The tractor has been used this academic year to teach students about electronics, air conditioning and fuel and emission systems. It is an incredibly valuable teaching tool.” The current tractor will be rotated out this summer, for another one.

LLCC Diesel Technologies is a two-year, associate degree program training students for well-paying jobs in the diesel industry. “The lack of trained technicians has reached a crisis level both locally and nationally,” said Gardner. “This severe lack of workers is leading to higher wage offers.”

LLCC’s diesel technologies program combines classroom and hands-on learning experiences to train students to diagnose, service and repair diesel powered equipment. More information is available at www.llcc.edu/diesel-technologies.