K-State Quarter-Scale Tractor Team takes second place at international competition

MANHATTAN—The Kansas State University Quarter-Scale Tractor Team has won second place at the 12th annual International Quarter-Scale Tractor Competition sponsored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, May 29-31, in Peoria, Ill.

For the competition, each student team designs, builds and demonstrates a utility or recreational pulling tractor. A panel of industry experts judged each design for innovation, maneuverability, sound level, serviceability, ergonomics, safety and manufacturability. Teams also participated in a performance demonstration made up of four tractor pulls.

The K-State team finished first in the written report category, first in sound for the quietest tractor, first in Campbell Scientific activities and fourth in oral report.

The team's faculty advisers include Ed Brokesh, instructor of biological and agricultural engineering; Pat Murphy, professor of agriculture and natural resources; Darrell Oard, research assistant in biological and agricultural engineering; and Lou Ann Claassen, senior administrative assistant in the department of biological and agricultural engineering.

"This is the 11th consecutive year this student-led team has finished in the top three in the competition, which includes seven first-place finishes. This is a reflection of the commitment of the quality education afforded students through the numerous learning opportunities offered at K-State," said Joe Harner, interim head of the department of agricultural and biological engineering at K-State. "This accomplishment shows the commitment of our faculty and staff to ensure excellence in the classroom, and it is a reflection of our students' abilities to transform and utilize knowledge beyond the classroom."