St. Joseph, MI & Peoria, IL — Twenty-four university teams from across the U.S. and Canada will compete in the 29th Annual International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition (IQS), May 29–31 at the McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington, Illinois. Sponsored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), the event is free and open to the public.
Each team receives only an engine and a set of Titan tires—everything else is up to them. Students design, build, and defend a fully functional quarter-scale tractor, judged by industry experts on innovation, manufacturability, safety, ergonomics, and more. They also submit a written design report and deliver a formal presentation to a panel playing the role of a corporate management team. Then the machines are put to the test on the course.
Event Schedule (subject to change due to weather and track conditions)
- Friday, May 29: Technical inspections, design judging & team presentations; practice laps in the afternoon
- Saturday, May 30: Maneuverability & durability events, 8 am–3 pm
- Sunday, May 31: Tractor pulls begin at 9:45 am
IQS is more than a competition—it's a career launchpad. Students develop engineering and technology expertise across drivetrain systems, tractive forces, manufacturing processes, and materials analysis, while building the communication, leadership, and teamwork skills that top employers demand. It's one of the industry's most active recruiting events.
“From presenting their designs to industry professionals, to overcoming unexpected challenges, adapting to changing situations, and learning to work effectively as a team, students gain practical skills that extend far beyond the competition itself," says Josh Medeiros, competition co-chair. "The experience they gain gives them a distinct advantage as they enter the industry and provides strong preparation for their future careers.”
2026 Competition Sponsors
Kawasaki Engines, Claas Foundation, CNH, Kubota, Danfoss, SolidWorks, Titan International, John Deere, GSI Grain Systems, LINAK, Mac Don, Thomson, Vermeer, SpaceX, Atmus, Agco Corp, and JMI Covers. Additional sponsors: DeweSoft, Igus, Kondex, Matex Products Inc, Medeiros Machine & Mfg, Miller Electric Manufacturing Co, Precision Planting, and Ag-Bag. Supporting sponsors: AC McCartney Farm Equipment, Blunier Implement, Caterpillar, Electrex Inc, HarvestMaster, Martin Tractor, 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.