Peoria, Illinois--A little extra effort usually pays off, as the South Dakota State University 1/4-scale tractor team learned last weekend. Runner-up in last year's International 1/4-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition, the Jackrabbits claimed the 2018 championship. It's the first time the Jacks have won the competition, now in its twenty-first year.
Rounding out the top five spots were runner-up Kansas State University, followed by the University of Kentucky, the University of Manitoba, and Iowa State University,
Twenty-eight teams, from the US, Canada, and Israel, competed in the 2018 competition. Sponsored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, the 1/4-scale tractor contest is unique among student engineering-design events, providing a realistic 360-degree workplace experience. It is a popular recruiting event for many sponsors, who find among the participants practiced, high-achieving prospects with strong technical, communication and leadership skills honed by competition experience.
The 2018 contest was held May 31 - June 3, at the Peoria Expo Gardens. Sponsors of the 2018 competition include: AGCO, Briggs & Stratton, Case IH, Danfoss, John Deere, New Holland Agriculture, Kubota, SolidWorks, Titan, Caterpillar, Campbell Scientific, and Thompson. Also, Katie McDonald Photography, Claas, GSI, and MacDon, as well as Central City Scale, Igus, and Miller. Other supporting sponsors include AC McCartney Farm Equipment, Kelly Sauder Rupiper LLC, Kondex Corp, Precision Planting, RCI Engineering, SJ Smith Co, Star Equipment, and Walz Scale.
ASABE is an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems.