This was the 25th anniversary of the event, which took place June 2-6 in Peoria, Ill. Students are challenged to harness the power and torque of a specified stock engine during the competition, in order to maximize performance during a series of challenges. According to the ASABE website, “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 MU Torq’N Tigers team competes in the ASABE International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition each year. The team provides its members the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge and gain hands-on experience, as well as develop professional skills and network.
Members of the Torq’N Tigers team include:
Will Adkins, junior, agricultural systems technology
Kyle Andrews, senior, agricultural systems technology
Trace Chambers, senior, agricultural systems technology
Garrett Clark, senior, plant sciences
Jonathan Ebbesmeyer, sophomore, mechanical engineering
Logan Finke, junior, agricultural systems technology
James Fischer, senior, agricultural systems technology
Laine Friedrich, senior, mechanical engineering
Ethan Gutz, junior, agricultural systems technology
Will Hanson, junior, agricultural systems technology
Josh Hellebusch, senior, mechanical engineering
Evan Hunter, senior, mechanical engineering
Tom Kabrick, senior, mechanical engineering
Robbie Magruder, senior, agricultural systems technology
Four CAFNR students participated in the Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol on Monday, April 11, in Jefferson City. A total of 11 projects were shared with legislators during the event.
Brogan Eyre, a senior majoring in plant sciences, presented on the efficacy of selected fungicides for the protection of wine grapes in Missouri. Lydia Jefferson, a senior studying environmental sciences, shared her research related to improving the understanding of how the overall health of freshwater bodies relates to land-use practices. Kathryn Vanden Hoek, junior biochemistry major, discussed her research on utilizing plant stress responses to clean up polluted soils. Brooke Weiler, a senior biochemistry major, showcased her research which focuses on measuring gene activity of bone-building cells in a mouse model of brittle bone disease.
The University of Missouri Soil Judging team recently competed in the Region V Collegiate Soil Judging Contest in Crookston, Minnesota. A total of seven universities and more than 150 students competed. Jacob Wolken, a senior in environmental sciences, finished fourth overall in the individual competition. In a competition for group judging with mixed teams from different universities, MU combined its efforts with South Dakota State University and Kansas State University to finish first.
The team is coached by Kerry Clark, director of CAFNR International Programs; Taryn Bradley, graduate student in natural resources; and Shae Meyer, senior in environmental sciences.
The competition has students design and build a tractor, which is then put through multiple performance tests, including durability and maneuverability. Mizzou’s team finished first in durability, low hook 1100-pound class, high hook 1100-pound class, low hook 1600-pound class and high hook 1600-pound class.
The Torq’N Tigers team is led by advisor Leon Schumacher, professor and agricultural systems technology program coordinator. While the team is made up of predominantly College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) and College of Engineering students, all students are welcome to join. Students who attended this year’s competition were:
