6/4/98

Contacts:
Mort Boyd, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, (515) 294-1434
Brian Meyer, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-0706

ISU STUDENT TEAM WINS NATIONAL TRACTOR PULL CONTEST

AMES -- A tractor designed and built by Iowa State University students placed first in a tractor pull that was part of a national student design competition.

Overall, the ISU team placed second out of 17 universities in the event, which included written reports and oral presentations as well as the tractor pull. The event, in its first year, was held May 31-June 1 at Quad City Downs in East Moline, Ill. The American Society of Agricultural Engineers sponsored the competition.

The students' task was to design, build and test a quarter-scale tractor -- about the size of many lawn-and-garden tractors. Except for an engine and tires donated by corporate sponsors, each student team started from scratch. The ISU students began work on their project last fall.

At the event, each team's tractor pulled four times, twice in two weight classes. ISU's tractor placed first in three of its pulls.

The four seniors on the ISU student team were Josh Gnewuch of Albert City; Brad Herman of Urbandale; Shawn Kenny of Schaller; and Matt Oliver of Long Grove. Herman is an agricultural systems technology student and the rest are agricultural engineering students. Their adviser is Mort Boyd, assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering.

News Releases Agriculture in Action Ag Online Communications Skills Home