Dakota Farmer

The team place second at the 2019 International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition.

July 18, 2019

3 Min Read
Members of the SDSU Quarter Scale Tractor Contest
TRACTOR TEAM: Members of the SDSU Quarter-Scale Tractor Team include Jeff Vander Schaaf (left), Megan Bodin, Mike Hansen, Brian Prchal, Jim Kellen, Ty Grone, Collin Endres, Tate Ketelhut, Luke Schemm, Logan Goslee, JJ Dooyema, Josh Irvin, Doug Prairie, Tia Muller, Joe DeBoer and Levi Wicks. SDSU

South Dakota State University’s Quarter-Scale Tractor Team was named Reserve Champions at the recent 2019 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition.

“Our tractor, UV-2431, was equipped with a mechanical driveline, independent front suspension, electronic throttle and full-screen display. We wanted to design an easy-to-use tractor that would stand up to the roughest conditions,” says Tate Ketelhut, the team captain. “This year’s tractor design was chosen with the customer in mind. We wanted to make an easily serviceable tractor that was simple to understand.”

Members of the SDSU A-Class team, which is made up of students who have previously been involved in quarter-scale competitions, included Jeremiah Dooyema, Luverne, Minn.; Logan Goslee, Glenville, Minn.; Ty Grone, Wayne, Neb.; Michael Hansen, Lakeville, Minn.; Joshua Irvin, Austin, Minn.; Tate Ketelhut, Miller, S.D.; Jesse Kramer, Ellsworth, Minn.; Tia Muller, Pipestone, Minn.; Brian Prchal, Montgomery, Minn.; Craig Santema, Milaca, Minn.; and Luke Schemm, Pella, Iowa.

The X-Class team is designed for freshmen and sophomores to help them learn more about the competition. The team uses the tractor built by the previous year’s A-Class team and makes modifications and improvements. The team members submit a basic written report describing their design changes, give a formal presentation at the event and participate in the tractor pull competition.

Members of the X-Class team included: Megan Bodin, Mankato, Minn.; Collin Endres, Alexandria, Minn.; James Kellen, Alton, Iowa; and Levi Wicks, Austin, Minn.

“I believe some of the success of this team was a result of the fact that they listened to and learned from previous years’ team members that have since graduated,” says Douglas Prairie, adviser for the team and instructor in SDSU’s Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department. “The alumni have acted as advisers and coached the students on how to improve the design and perform at the event. Our team focuses on being a top-three pulling tractor and then doing really well in all the other event categories. We know we aren't going to place first in every category, but we focus on being extremely competitive in all aspects of the competition.”

The team began designing the tractor the first week of the school year in the fall. The students met twice a week throughout the year and put in a combined 3,500 hours total to design and build the tractor.

“Team members develop many important skills throughout the year, including 3D modeling, design, writing, problem solving, fabrication and team work,” Ketelhut says.

Students participating in the competition are challenged to harness the power and torque of a specified stock engine in order to maximize performance of a quarter-scale tractor during a series of performance challenges.

Each competing team had to submit a written design report before the competition. The teams were given a 31-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine and a set of Titan tires. The design of their tractor was up to them. A panel of industry experts judged the tractors on innovation, manufacturability, serviceability, safety, sound level and ergonomics. They were also judged on performance in three tractor pulls, a maneuverability course and a durability course.

Additionally, the teams presented and pitched their design in a formal presentation to industry experts playing the role of a corporate management team.

Source: SDSU, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

 

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