Quarter Scale Tractor Team
What is the Quarter Scale Team?
The Quarter Scale team is a student organization formed to compete in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) student engineering-design contest.
The design contest is structured to help develop both design and big-picture thinking skills. Industry experts judge each design for innovation, manufacturability, serviceability, safety, sound level and ergonomics. Learn more about the .
When and Where is the Competition?
Student teams compete in ASABE's International 1/4 Scale Tractor Student Design Competition in Peoria, Illinois, every summer.
Can All Undergraduates Participate?
Yes. A Class teams are comprised of juniors and seniors who have typically been involved in Quarter Scale and are familiar with the competition. X Class teams include freshmen and sophomores interested in the experience but who can benefit from the guidance of more experienced classmates.
Each year, A Class teams are given a stock engine, set of tires, and list of design requirements for that year's competition. The team must then design and build their tractor to meet specifications.
X Class teams work with the A Class team's tractor from the previous year. They identify and implement changes to increase the tractor's performance and compete against other X Class teams.
How are Teams Judged?
Quarter Scale teams are evaluated in four ways:
- Written design report
- Team presentation
- Static design judging
- Performance
- Three tractor pulls
- Maneuverability course
- Durability course
2019: Team Takes 2nd at Competition
The South Dakota State University Quarter Scale Tractor Team was named reserve champions at the 2019 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition held May 30-June 2 in Peoria, Illinois.
Students participating in the competition are challenged to harness the power and torque of a specified stock engine in order to maximize the performance of a quarter-scale tractor during a series of performance challenges.
Each competing team must submit a written design report before the competition. The teams are given a 31-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine and a set of Titan tires. The design of their tractor is up to them. A panel of industry experts judges the tractors on innovation, manufacturability, serviceability, safety, sound level and ergonomics. The teams are also judged on performance in three tractor pulls, a maneuverability course and a durability course.
Additionally, the teams present and sell their design in a formal presentation to industry experts playing the role of a corporate management team.
“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,” said 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. We also used the proven design of previous team’s tractors and then improved those designs. In order to be successful from year to year, we have to keep improving and perfecting the tractor design. Our designs are also based on the direction industry is going, which is why we had a fully electronic throttle and digital display,” he continued.
Members of the SDSU A-Class team, which is made up of students who have previously been involved in quarter-scale competitions, include: Jeremiah Dooyema, Logan Goslee, Ty Grone, Michael Hansen, Joshua Irvin, Tate Ketelhut, Jesse Kramer, Tia Muller, Brian Prchal, Craig Santema and Luke Schemm.
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 include: Megan Bodin, Collin Endres, James Kellen and Levi Wicks.
“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,” said Douglas Prairie, adviser for the team and instructor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. “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 begins designing the tractor when classes start each 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 teamwork,” Ketelhut said.
2018-19 Team Members
A-Class Team
- JJ Dooyema (Luverne, Minnesota)
- Logan Goslee (Glenville, Minnesota)
- Ty Grone (Wayne, Nebraska)
- Mike Hansen (Lakeville, Minnesota)
- Josh Irvin (Austin, Minnesota)
- Tate Ketelhut; President (Miller, South Dakota)
- Jesse Kramer (Ellsworth, Minnesota)
- Tia Muller (Pipestone, Minnesota)
- Brian Prchal (Montgomery, Minnesota)
- Craig Santema (Milaca, Minnesota)
- Luke Schemm (Pella, Iowa)
X-Class Team
- Megan Bodin (Mankato, Minnesota)
- Collin Endres (Alexandria, Minnesota)
- James Kellen (Alton, Iowa)
- Levi Wicks (Austin, Minnesota)
SDSU Quarter Scale Team Sponsors
SDSU Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering; SDSU Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; SDSU Students' Association; Briggs and Stratton; Titan Tires; SolidWorks; GSI; Miller; AGCO Company; Case IH Agriculture; Central City Scale; RCI Engineering, LLC; New Holland Agriculture; CLAAS; John Deere; Igus; Katie McDonald Photography; Caterpillar; Cambell Scientific Inc.; First Bank & Trust; Outlaw Graphics; Industrial Machine & Engineering; Thomson Linear Motion; ABM Manufacturing; Vermeer; Kubota; Wilwood Brakes; Twin City Fan; Sturdevant's Auto Parts; Dave's Collision & Repair; Titan Machinery; Design Tanks; J & T's Exhaust World; TEAM Industries; Kibble Equipment; Danfoss Power Solutions; Motion Industries; Continental; Sudenga Industrial Inc.; Driveline Service Inc.; Bobcat Company; Golden Willow Seeds; KD Designs; Nielsen's Supply; and Scotchman Industries.
2018: International Champions
Over the last several years, Peoria, Illinois, has welcomed college students from across the globe to compete in the annual American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International ¼ Scale Tractor Student Design Competition. This year, South Dakota State University’s team rolled up in true Jackrabbits style with the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering’s blue gooseneck trailer carrying this year’s winning tractor.
After slipping from first to second place by just nine points (out of 2,320 possible points) and a zip tie in the 2017 competition, SDSU’s Quarter Scale Tractor team was determined to design smarter, work harder and produce the best tractor at the 2018 competition.
According to senior ABE student team captain Ryan VanTassel, “Twenty-three teams competed in the events held in Peoria. There were a total of 29 teams registered that submitted reports, but six did not make weight or did not come to competition for other reasons.”
Every team receives a 31-hp Briggs & Stratton engine and a set of Titan tires. The design, engineering and construction of a tractor which must be able to pull thousands of pounds is up to the team. “Other tractors at the competition used generators and electric motors instead of gears like we used. There were even some tractors that had front and rear suspension and others that utilized a hydrostatic transmission. Some also had the driver located at the front of the tractor and Iowa State had an articulating tractor,” said junior mechanical engineering student Brian Prchal. “We built a two-wheel drive, independent front suspension, two-speed power shift, four-speed transmission tractor this year. Although our A-Class and X-Class might look slightly similar, the way they each transfer power to the ground is very different.”
A panel of industry experts, many of whom are engineers, review the team’s report and evaluate their tractor based on innovativeness, manufacturability, serviceability, safety, sound level and ergonomics. Teams also pitch their design to a mock corporate management team played by the industry panel experts. Tractor performance is evaluated in three tractor pulls, a maneuverability course and a durability course.
SDSU department head Van Kelley highlighted the merits of SDSU students participating in the International ¼ Scale Student Design Competition. He says, “Students are exposed to a wealth of industry networking opportunities with the companies they might end up working for. That, combined with hands-on engineering experience, real-world problem-solving on a tight budget and teamwork make this a great student learning experience.”
Students also gain firsthand experience in the design of drive train systems, tractor performance, manufacturing processes, analysis of tractive forces, weight transfer and the strength of materials. “Quarter scale has helped me tremendously as a student because we are using all the knowledge we learn in the classroom and are using it for practical purposes, which makes me eager to learn more and allows me to refine skills I have already learned,” said freshman ABE student Luke Schemm.
The interpersonal relationships developed through the challenges and successes of the quarter scale tractor design result in lifelong impact. According to senior ABE student Brady Buck, “Because of the long hours that we spent in the shop with each other throughout the year we built irreplaceable relationships with each other. We became a small family. Without a doubt this team not only made me a better engineer, but it also helped me build friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Both the A-Class and X-Class teams did very well in this year’s competition. The X-Class team received 2nd place for design and was named Overall Champion. The A-Class team received second in performance. The X-Class team won the presentations portion of the competition and has accepted the invitation to speak at the international ASABE annual meeting in Detroit this July.
SDSU’s X-Class team, structured to help freshmen and sophomores become familiar with quarter scale, is well positioned to compete in the 2019 competition.
The SDSU Quarter Scale Tractor Team would like to thank their sponsors for their unwavering dedication to student success. Without their support, the team would not be international champions.
2017-18 Team Members
A-Class Team
- Brady Buck (Bryant)
- Joe DeBoer (Ashton, Iowa)
- Lucas Derdall (Volga)
- Caleb Dinse (New Ulm, Minnesota)
- Seth Haigh (Philip)
- T.J. Harder (Eagan, Minnesota)
- Alex Koepke (Sioux Falls)
- Miranda LeBrun (Reading, Minnesota)
- Brian Prchal (Montgomery, Minnesota)
- Tia Muller (Pipestone, Minnesota)
- Mitch Sandey (Jordan, Minnesota)
- Ryan VanTassel (Midland)
- Nathan Wright (Houghton)
X-Class Team
- JJ Dooyema (Luverne, Minnesota)
- Tate Ketelhut (Miller)
- Luke Schemm (Pella, Iowa)
2017: Team Takes 2nd at Competition
2016-17 Team Members
- Brady Buck (Bryant)
- Joe DeBoer (Ashton, Iowa)
- Lucas Derdall (Volga)
- Caleb Dinse (New Ulm, Minnesota)
- T.J. Harder (Eagan, Minnesota)
- Chandler Jansen (Emery)
- Tate Ketelhut (Miller)
- Alex Koepke (Sioux Falls)
- Miranda LeBrun (Reading, Minnesota)
- Tia Muller (Pipestone, Minnesota)
- Mitch Sandey (Jordan, Minnesota)
- Spencer Van Overbeke (Marshall, Minnesota)
- Ryan VanTassel (Midland)
- Nathan Wright (Houghton)
