Mizzou Torq’N Tigers find success at the International 1/4 Scale Tractor Design Competition




A group of students pose with a plaque.

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