UNL 1/4-Scale Tractor

This week the guys from the UNL 1/4-Scale Tractor Team brought their new 2009 tractor down to Beatrice for us all to see. We have been helping them out with scrap iron, laser-cut parts and powder coat. Two of the guys in the lab were on the team when they were in school. One of them designed our own "Exmark Skunk Works" decal for special projects like this. Its on the frame in the lower right corner of the picture above.

The team competes against other schools. The entire tractor was designed and built by students in the ag engineering program. The whole thing was drawn up in CAD and modeled in 3D. It has three 16 hp Briggs & Stratton engines running into a gearbox that goes into an electrically controlled CVT and then into the 4X4 transfer case. The engines must be left completely stock, and everyone uses the same fuel for competitions.

Winning the actual pulling event is only half of the program. Points are awarded for design, execution, sound levels, style, safety, etc. I think it's a great program.