MJC ¼ Scale Tractor Team finishes 4th at international contest
The Modesto Junior College ¼ Scale Tractor Team competed in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers ¼-Scale Tractor Competition in Peoria, Illinois, held June 2-5, and returned home with a fourth place finish. The competition consisted of 27 collegiate teams from the United States, Canada, and Israel with MJC being the only two-year college to compete.
The top five teams in this year’s contest were: 1st – University of Nebraska, 2nd – Kansas State University, 3rd – University of Kentucky, 4th – Modesto Junior College, 5th – Université Laval (Canada).
Each team is given an engine and a set of tires and must completely design and build the tractor from the ground up. In addition to building a tractor, teams are required to submit a written report containing a complete description of the tractor’s design elements and components prior to travelling to Illinois for the contest.
The competition is broken into three main categories: design judging, oral presentation and tractor performance. During the design judging, industry experts score the tractor based on its serviceability, manufacturing, safety, ergonomics, and test and development. The oral report is the team’s opportunity to give a sales presentation to a panel of industry experts, highlighting the tractor they have spent countless hours assembling. Finally, machines are put to the test in three performance events – three tractor pulls, a maneuverability course and a durability course.
Competing in the ¼ Scale Tractor Contest allows students to gain a variety of hands-on skills by designing, fabricating, and constructing the tractor. The contestants enhance their critical thinking, teamwork, communication and leadership skills throughout the duration of the project and competition. Team members also have the opportunity to attend a dinner and sponsor mixer where they interact with the contest’s industry sponsors to gain valuable contacts as well as networking experience.
MJC ¼ Scale Tractor Team Members include Jason Anderson, Thomas Ledesma, Rebecca Metz, Morgan Scettrini, Cordell Smith, Jarek Swan, Michael Titus, Santino Togninali, Taylor Wilson and faculty advisor Steve Amador, professor of agriculture mechanics.
The MJC ¼-Scale Tractor Team extends appreciation to Modesto Steel Company Inc., Modesto
Welding Products, and Crown Powder Coating LLC for their continued support.