Bloomington–Normal, Illinois, and St. Joseph, Michigan—The University of Illinois has claimed the Wehner-Detra Traveling Trophy and the $1,500 first-place prize at the 29th Annual ASABE International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition, held May 29–31 in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Twenty-three university teams from across the United States and Canada competed across three days of design judging, oral presentations, and on-course performance events, with activities split between the McLean County Fairgrounds and the Marriott hotel, where oral presentations were held.
The University of Nebraska earned second place and $1,200, followed by Purdue University in third ($900), Kansas State University in fourth ($700), and the University of Missouri in fifth ($500).
About the Competition
Sponsored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), the International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition (IQS) challenges engineering and technology students to design, build, and defend a fully functional quarter-scale tractor from the ground up. Each team receives only an engine and a set of Titan tires — everything else is theirs to design and create.
A panel of industry experts evaluates machines on innovation, manufacturability, serviceability, safety, ergonomics, and other factors relevant to real-world operability. Teams also submit a written design report and deliver formal presentations to industry experts acting in the role of a corporate management team. Finally, machines are tested in three performance events: tractor pulls, a maneuverability course, and a durability course.
This year marked the competition’s debut at the McLean County Fairgrounds’ Interstate Center — a new venue the organizing committee anticipates developing into a long-term home for the event. Oral presentations were held at the Marriott hotel.
"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," said Josh Medeiros, competition chair. "The experience they gain gives them a distinct advantage as they enter the industry and provides strong preparation for their future careers."
Overall Competition Results
Champion (1st Place, $1,500): University of Illinois
2nd Place ($1,200): University of Nebraska
3rd Place ($900): Purdue University
4th Place ($700): Kansas State University
5th Place ($500): University of Missouri
Category Award Winners
Best Appearance: University of Kentucky
Jim and Darcy Schmidt Family Teamwork Award: McGill University
Sportsmanship Award: University of Guelph
Craftsmanship Award: South Dakota State University
Manufacturability Award ($200): University of Kentucky
Serviceability Award ($200, tie): University of Illinois and Purdue University
Test & Development Award ($200): University of Illinois
Safety Award ($200): University of Nebraska
Ergonomics Award ($200, tie): University of Kentucky and University of Nebraska
Innovation Award: University of Illinois
Defense of Design Award ($200): University of Nebraska
Team Presentation — 1st Place: University of Illinois
Team Presentation — 2nd Place: University of Nebraska
Team Presentation — 3rd Place: North Carolina State University
Written Design Report — 1st Place: University of Illinois
Written Design Report — 2nd Place: University of Nebraska
Written Design Report — 3rd Place (tie): Kansas State University and University of Saskatchewan
Most Improved Award: Université Laval
Performance Event Results
Tractor Performance Overall — 1st Place: University of Missouri
Tractor Performance Overall — 2nd Place: University of Illinois
Tractor Performance Overall — 3rd Place: Purdue University
Maneuverability Award: California Polytechnic State University
Durability Award: University of Missouri
1st Hook Pull Winner: University of Missouri
2nd Hook Pull Winner: North Carolina State University
3rd Hook Pull Winner: University of Kentucky
X-Team Competition Results
The X-Team competition allows underclassmen to gain hands-on experience with the competition process by modifying their school's previous-year tractor. Eight teams competed in 2026.
X-Team Overall 1st Place: Iowa State University
X-Team Overall 2nd Place: South Dakota State University
X-Team Overall 3rd Place: University of Kentucky
X-Team Written Design Report: Iowa State University
X-Team Oral Presentation: Pennsylvania State University
X-Team Pull: University of Kentucky
Participating Teams
Twenty-three teams participated in the 2026 A-Team competition: California Polytechnic University, Institut de Technologie Agroalimentaire du Québec, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, McGill University, North Carolina State University, North Dakota State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, South Dakota State University, Texas A&M University, University of Georgia, University of Guelph, University of Illinois, University of Kentucky, Université Laval, University of Manitoba, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, University of Saskatchewan, University of Tennessee–Martin, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
Competition Sponsors
The 2026 competition was made possible by the generous support of sponsors at every level:
Titanium Sponsors ($20,000+): Claas Foundation, CNH, Kawasaki Engines, Kubota
Platinum Sponsors ($10,000–$20,000): Danfoss, Deere and Company, SolidWorks, Titan International, ASABE
Silver Sponsors ($3,500–$6,500): AGCO Corporation, Fleet Guard, GSI, JMI, LINAK, MacDon, SpaceX, Thompson, Vermeer Corporation
Bronze Sponsors ($1,500–$3,500): Ag-Bag by RCI, DeweSoft, Igus, Kondex, Matex Products, Medeiros Machine & Manufacturing, Miller Electric, Precision Planting, Scale Tec
Site Sponsors (up to $1,500): A.C. McCartney Farm Equipment, Blunier Implement, Caterpillar, Electrex Inc., HarvestMaster, Heritage Tractor, Star Equipment, Walz Scale
ASABE is an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems. For more information, visit asabe.org.