Article by ASABE

St. Joseph, Mich. and Peoria, Ill. – For the third time in four years, the University of Kentucky took top honors at the International ¼-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition, repeating its 2014 win and reclaiming the Detra-Wehner trophy that the team also took home in 2012.

Also turning in repeat finishes were Kansas State University and The Ohio State University, who finished as they did in 2014, in second and third places, respectively. Rounding out the top five teams were Penn State University, in fourth place, and North Carolina State, in fifth.

The competition was held recently in Peoria, Illinois.

In addition to taking home the Detra-Wehner traveling trophy, the University of Kentucky received a plaque, $1500, and a $2000 scholarship sponsored by CNH, to be awarded to a team member of the department’s choosing. All other top finishers also received plaques, and runners-up received cash awards ranging from $1200 to $500. The second- and third-place teams also received CNH scholarships of $1000 each.

Awards were given to the winners of numerous judging categories, as follows:

CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC AWARD — Kansas State University

BEST APPEARANCE – Iowa State University and Penn State University (tie)

JIM AND DARCY SCHMIDT FAMILY TEAMWORK – Wright State University

SPORTSMANSHIP – Kansas State University

MANUFACTURABILITY – North Carolina State University

SERVICEABILITY – The Ohio State University

TEST & DEVELOPMENT – Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

SAFETY — University of Kentucky

MANEUVERABILITY – Penn State University

ERGONOMICS —  The Ohio State University

SOUND LEVEL – The Ohio State University, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

WRITTEN DESIGN REPORT

1^st place – Iowa State University

2^nd place – University of Saskatchewan

3^rd place — University of Kentucky

TEAM PRESENTATION

1^st place — University of Kentucky

2^nd place – Texas A&M University

3^rd place — Iowa State University

TRACTOR PULLS

Winner, First Hook — University of Kentucky

Winner, Second Hook — University of Kentucky

Winner, Third Hook — University of Kentucky

Durability Award – University of Kentucky

MOST IMPROVED — Penn State University (moved 16 places from 2014 competition)

The ¼-Scale Competition is unique among student engineering design contests in that it provides a realistic “360-degree” workplace experience. Given only an engine and a set of tires, the teams spend the academic year designing and building utility or recreational pulling tractors that they present and demonstrate in Peoria. Teams are judged on a written design report, a design inspection, and a formal presentation to industry experts playing the role of a corporate management team. Running on a 10% ethanol fuel blend, the machines are then put to the test in a series of tractor pulls

The ¼-Scale Tractor Competition is a popular recruiting event for many sponsors, most of whom have hired many engineers from among the teams, finding practiced, high-achieving candidates with strong technical, communication and leadership skills honed by competition experience. Corporate sponsors for this year’s event were AGCO, Briggs & Stratton, Campbell Scientific, Inc., Case IH, Caterpillar, Deere & Company, New Holland, RCI Engineering, SolidWorks and Titan International. Additional support was provided by Claas, GSI Grain Systems, Katie McDonald Photography, Kondex, Manitowoc, NORAC, Central City Scale, igus Inc. and Miller Electric Manufacturing.

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) is an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems. Further information on the Society can be obtained by contacting ASABE at (269) 429-0300, emailing hq@asabe.org, or visiting www.asabe.org/.