Source: Lou Ann Claassen, 785-532-2910, lkc@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Mary Rankin, 785-532-6715, mrankin@k-state.edu
Thursday, June 7, 2007
K-STATE POWERCAT TRACTOR TEAM TAKES FIRST PLACE AT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
MANHATTAN -- For the second consecutive year and the sixth time in the 10-year history of the event, the Kansas State University Powercat Tractors Design Team finished first at the annual American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition, May 31-June 3, in Peoria, Ill.
Competing against 28 teams from the United States and Canada, the K-State team also received the "Sound Quality Award" for having the quietest tractor and minimizing noise pollution. The team earned first-place points for the written design report and took second place in the four pulls of the "tractor pull" portion of the competition.
The K-State Powercat Tractors Team, made up of undergraduates in biological and agricultural engineering, agricultural technology management and mechanical and nuclear engineering, is the only team to place in the top three, including six firsts, continuously since 1999. The competition began in 1998.
"This is another outstanding accomplishment," said Gary Clark, head of the department of biological and agricultural engineering at K-State. "I could not be more proud of our talented students and dedicated advisers who worked so hard to win the first-place trophy once again."
All teams were required to use unmodified, 16-horsepower Briggs and Stratton engines and Bridgestone/Firestone tires. The rest of the design was up to each individual team. The K-State tractor used four engines with a four-wheel drive system.
Finishing behind K-State were Purdue University, second place; Laval Universite, third place; University of Kentucky, fourth place; and University of Illinois, fifth place.
K-State team advisers are Mark Schrock, professor of biological and agricultural engineering; Pat Murphy, professor of agriculture and natural resources; Randy Price, assistant professor of biological and agricultural engineering; and Darrell Oard and Lou Ann Claassen, biological and agricultural engineering staff assistants.
Team members and their hometowns include:
Jesse Koch, May 2007 bachelor's graduate in agricultural technology management, Centralia; Matthew Grollmes, junior in biological and agricultural engineering, Circleville; Kevin Swenson, senior in agricultural technology management, Concordia; Phillip Lange, May 2007 bachelor's graduate in agricultural technology management, Conway Springs; Jeff Wessel, May 2007 bachelor's graduate in agricultural technology management, Dresden; Jared Selland, sophomore in mechanical engineering, Everest; Cory Friedli, junior in biological and agricultural engineering, Hope; Bradley Stewart, senior in biological and agricultural engineering, Hoxie; Jonathan Schmidt, junior in agricultural technology management, Minneapolis; Brandon Winter, May 2007 bachelor's graduate in agricultural technology management, Mount Hope; Zane Unrau, May 2007 bachelor's graduate in agricultural technology management, Newton; Kyle McKinzie, senior in biological and agricultural engineering, Oswego; Matt Shepheard, junior in agricultural technology management, Pomona; Isaac Spare, senior in agricultural technology management, St. John; Benjamin Ross, sophomore in biological and agricultural engineering, Topeka; Bret Jacob, senior in biological and agricultural engineering, Valley Center; and Benjamin Norris, junior in agricultural technology management, Wellington.
From out of state: Jonathan Propheter, May 2007 bachelor's graduate in agricultural technology management, St. Joseph, Mo.
National sponsors for the competition were AGCO, Briggs & Stratton, Case IH, Caterpillar, John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, SolidWorks, Campbell Scientific, Inc., eServ, Claas of Omaha, Firestone, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Central City Scale Corporation, Kelly Sauder Rupiper Equipment LLC, and Miller.