The University of Missouri Torq’N Tigers had two teams competing in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition this summer. The X-Team finished 3rd in their category after redesigning at least 30% of last year’s tractor. The A-Team placed 3rd in durability after building this year’s tractor from the ground up.
The event took place May 30-June 1 at the Peoria, Illinois, Expo Gardens.
The team provides its members the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge and gain hands-on experience, as well as develop professional skills and networks. Students are challenged to harness the power and torque of a specified stock engine during the competition, to maximize performance during a series of challenges.
According to the ASABE website, for the competition, “teams of students are given a 31-hp Briggs & Stratton engine and a set of Titan tires. The design of their tractor is up to them. A panel of industry experts then 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 three performance events – three tractor pulls, a maneuverability course, and a durability course.”
The team is coached by Kent Shannon, assistant teaching professor in the Division of Plant Science and Technology. Team members include:
- Gage Benskin – Agricultural Systems Technology
- Trevor Blanken – Mechanical Engineering
- Kohl Bush – Mechanical Engineering
- Braden Denning – Engineering Technology
- Jonathan Ebbesmeyer – Mechanical Engineering
- Aidan Engbert – Information Technology
- Will Hanson – Plant Science
- Andrew Kabrick – Mechanical Engineering
- Jack Knop – Mechanical Engineering
- Jacob Lakenburger – Mechanical Engineering
- Evan Masterson – Agricultural Systems Technology
- Gabrielle Shern – Agricultural Systems Technology
- Avery Thomas – Mechanical Engineering
- Nick Van Schyndel – Animal Science
- Krista Wojcikiewicz – Mechanical Engineering