The University of Missouri Torq’N Tigers Quarter-Scale Tractor Team had its best finish ever at the recent American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Quarter Scale Tractor Competition. The event was held May 30 through June 2 in Peoria, Illinois.
The Torq’N Tigers placed third behind the University of Nebraska and South Dakota State University. More than 20 universities from all over the United States competed in the event.
The team entered two tractors. The A-Team is a new tractor; the X-Team uses the tractor from the previous year and modifies the systems by 25 percent.
Each team of students starts with a 31-horsepower engine and a set of tires. The design of their tractor is up to them.
At the competition, a panel of industry experts judge each design for innovation, manufacturability, serviceability, safety, sound level and ergonomics. Teams also submit a written design report in advance of the competition, and on-site they must sell their design in a formal presentation to industry experts playing the role of a corporate management team. Finally, machines are put to the test in performance events: three tractor pulls, a maneuverability course and a durability course.
The A-Team took top honors in Appearance, Craftsmanship, and was the Pull Winner for two of the three hooks, resulting in an overall third-place finish. The X-Team won Performance and Written Design Report for a top finish.
The Torq’N Tigers team is led by advisor Leon Schumacher, professor and program chair, ag systems management; president Matt Reidenbach, a senior ag systems management major from Foristell, Missouri; and X-Team captain Andrew Aufdenberg, senior in engineering, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Other team members include:
- Owen Luebbering, senior in engineering, Jefferson City, Missouri.
- Jacob Abel, senior in ag systems management, Marthasville, Missouri.
- Josh Underhill, junior in ag systems management, Palmyra, Missouri.
- Aaron Reichert, recent graduate in ag systems management, Platte City, Missouri.
- Micah Thomas, senior in ag systems management, Troy, Missouri.
- Nick Lenzenhuber, senior in engineering, Warrenton, Missouri.
- Kevin Schneider, senior in engineering, Warrenton, Missouri.
- Nick Schneider, junior in ag systems management, Warrenton, Missouri.
- Daniel Bingham, junior in ag systems management, Griggsville, Illinois.
- Andrew Slater, sophomore in engineering, Des Moines, Iowa.