Peoria, Illinois—South Dakota State University claimed its first-ever win in the International 1/4-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition. The Jackrabbits took top honors at the 2018 event, held recently in Peoria, Illinois.
SDSU's win was powered by strong performances in individual categories, including a first-place finish in Team Presentation and second-place in both Overall Tractor Performance and Written Design Report.
Rounding out the top five teams in this year's contest were Kansas State University, in the runner-up spot, and the University of Kentucky, the University of Manitoba, and Iowa State University, finishing third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.
In addition to taking home the Detra-Wehner traveling trophy, the SDSU team received a plaque and $1500. All other top-five finishers also received plaques, plus cash awards ranging from $1200 to $500.
Awards were given to the winners of numerous judging categories, as follows:
BEST APPEARANCE – Iowa State University
JIM AND DARCY SCHMIDT FAMILY TEAMWORK – University of Northern Iowa
SPORTSMANSHIP – University of Northern Iowa
CRAFTSMANSHIP – University of Saskatchewan
MANUFACTURABILITY – Iowa State University
SERVICEABILITY – University of Nebraska
TEST & DEVELOPMENT – University of Nebraska
SAFETY – University of Nebraska
ERGONOMICS – University of Nebraska
SOUND LEVEL – Ariel University
INNOVATION – Iowa State University
WRITTEN DESIGN REPORT
First place (tie) – Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska
Second place – South Dakota State University
Third place – University of Manitoba
TEAM PRESENTATION
First place – South Dakota State University
Second place – University of Nebraska
Third place – University of Manitoba
TRACTOR PULLS
Winner, First Hook – University of Missouri
Winner, Second Hook – South Dakota State University
Winner, Third Hook – University of Kentucky
DURABILITY AWARD – North Dakota State University
MANEUVERABILITY AWARD – Iowa State University
OVERALL TRACTOR PERFORMANCE (Maneuverability, Durability, Tractor Pulls)
First place – North Dakota State University
Second place – South Dakota State University
Third place – University of Kentucky
MOST IMPROVED – North Dakota State University