2002

Team members: Jamie Poskochil, Bill Rathje, Tom Person, Rod Stuckenholtz, Andy Wellensiek, Dr. Bashford, Tim Bray (in front), Scott Wellensiek, Scott Albrecht, Ginger Wingate, Kelly Kinnison.
Not pictured: Adam Huttenmaier, Rich Siefken and Scott Eisenmenger.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Leonard Bashford.
Finish: 8th Place.
The Tractor: The switch to four-wheel drive was a big innovation in 2002. A tubular truss-type frame was selected and built. It proved to be stronger and lighter than previous frames. Mounting brackets were welded directly to the frame. A tighter turning radius for maneuverability was incorporated.

 

2001

Team Members: Brian Thomas,Scott Wellensiek, Kelly Kinnison, Eric Shruck, Scott Eisenmenger, Andy Wellensiek, Eric Jacobs, Kurt Dowding, Ginger Wingate, and Rodney Rohrer.
Not pictured: Todd Schmieding and Matt Bohmont.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Leonard Bashford.
Finish: 10th place.
The Tractor: Design elements included a rigid-channel frame, inline quick disconnect to the engine, dry friction disc clutch, independent front wheel suspension, and a new body style. Engine shut-off switches were included and all moving parts were shielded to vastly improve the safety of the tractor.

 

A new tractor, and last year's tractor reconfigured by newer team members. The old tractor is called the X tractor, and is also placed in competition. The second team uses the X tractor as a place to start training and learning about quarter-scale tractors while making their own modifications to an existing machine.
Team Members: Billy Cutsor, Randy Arens, Jeremy L'Heureux, Dan Meyer, Brian Smidt.
Not pictured: John Lase
X Team Members: Rodney Rohrer, Scott Wellensiek, Eric Shruck, Andy Wellensiek.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Leonard Bashford
Finish: 13th Place
The Tractor: Goals were to improve tractor adjustability, reduce overall weight, improve team organization, achieve more pre-competition performance testing, and improve both manufacturability and serviceability. Both a racecar rear axle and Cub Cadet transaxle were used, as well as a larger braking system to hold the tractor on a 30 degree incline. Parts also came from an old riding lawn mower and a Subaru Justy. The lugs on the rear tires were modified to dig into the soil as well as compress the soil for better gripping. Center-mounted aluminum rims were used instead of the offset rims in 1999.

 

1999 - Our first year of competition
This was a year of getting our feet wet, to find out what it took to design, build and compete with other universities around the country. "Learning experience" doesn't begin to describe what we went through!

Team Members: Andrew Wellensiek, Jeremy L'Heureux, Kyle Petsch, Keith Krueger, Scott Eisenmenger, Brian Thomas, Brian Smidt, Kelly Anthony (seated).
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Leonard Bashford.
Finish: 19th.
The Tractor: Rear-wheel drive, dual exhaust, Cub Cadet transmission, sheet metal body fabricated by students, begged and borrowed parts from all over Eastern Nebraska. This tractor is still operational and serves as a basis for pulling with the other tractors.