KNOXVILLE — A team of University of Tennessee engineering students has placed second in an international competition to design and build a quarter-scale tractor.
Eight students in UT’s agricultural and biosystems engineering department won firsts in performance and manufacturability, placing second overall in the American Society of Agricultural Engineering competition.
“The size and shape of the quarter-scale tractor is similar to that of typical lawn-and-garden tractors, but very few components from commercial machines are used,” said Dr. William Hart, UT associate professor and sponsor of the team.
“Students not only get practical design experience but also gain valuable knowledge about manufacturing as they assemble their design.”
The UT tractor recorded the longest pull in the competition, 210 feet, 7 inches, in the 1,050-pound class.
Twenty-two teams from other U.S. universities competed, as well as one Malaysian and two Canadian teams. The competition was held recently in East Moline, Ill.
The UT team included Carl Hudson, Will Pinson, Andy Waters, Junior Ledbetter, Paul Troutt, Russell Goodman, Rob Comer, and Gary Jenkins, advised by Hart and Dr. Bobby Bledsoe.
UT sponsors included Honda of Alcoa, John Deere, Mapco Express, Rydol Lubricants, the Tennessee Farm Bureau and Three Rivers Antique Engine and Tractor Club.
The ASAE competition is intended to give students practical experience in the design of agricultural equipment and to develop communications, leadership, teamwork and fund-raising skills.
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