Quarter Scale Tractor Team wins national competition

The South Dakota State University Quarter Scale Tractor Team earned national recognition by winning the 2022 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International 1/4 Scale Tractor Student Design Competition.

The team competed against 24 other colleges and universities from across the United States and Canada.

Each team is given a 31-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine and a set of Titan tires at the beginning of the academic year. The students are responsible for the tractor design, selecting the components and building the tractor. A written design report and formal presentation are also part of the competition.

At the competition, tractors are judged by a panel of industry experts based on innovation, manufacturability, serviceability, safety, sound level and ergonomics.

The tractor is first evaluated in a technical inspection process where industry engineers seek to ensure the tractors comply with competition safety and design rules. The tractor is then put to the test through a maneuverability course, durability course and a tractor pull.

National champion quarter scale tractor team members

• Luke Schemm, agricultural and biosystems engineering student from Pella, Iowa.
• Ty Grone, agricultural and biosystems engineering student from Wayne, Nebraska.
• JJ Dooyema, agricultural and biosystems engineering student from Luverne, Minnesota.
• Andrew Mairose, agricultural systems technology student from Kimball, South Dakota.
• Parker Aase, precision agriculture student from Owatonna, Minnesota.
• Sam Meyer, agricultural and biosystems engineering student from Mapleton, North Dakota.
• Collin Endres, construction management student from Alexandria, Minnesota.
• Levi Wicks, mechanical engineering student from Austin, Minnesota.
• Jayden Estebo, agricultural and biosystems engineering student from Redwood Falls, Minnesota.
• Jarrett Wildman, agricultural systems technology student from Farmdale, Ohio.
• Sydnee Huber, agricultural and biosystems engineering student from Pipestone, Minnesota.
• Phillip Black, agricultural systems technology student from Gibbon, Minnesota.
• Mark Hague, agricultural and biosystems engineering student from Highmore, South Dakota.
• Ted Carlson, agricultural and biosystems engineering student from Janesville, Minnesota.
• Isaac Knobloch, agricultural and biosystems engineering student from Rock Rapids, Iowa.
• Logan Turgasen, agricultural systems technology and precision agriculture student from Richland Center, Wisconsin.
• Justin Werner, agricultural systems technology student from Hanover, Pennsylvania.
• Cole Heacock, construction management student from Milaca, Minnesota.
• Paul Schlotman, agricultural and biosystems engineering student from Sioux City, Iowa.