Thomson Sponsors University Tractor Design Competition

WOOD DALE, IL – Thomson Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of linear motion control solutions, is among the industry sponsors of the 25th annual American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) ¼ Scale Tractor Student Design Competition (IQS).

This year, 24 universities from the U.S. and Canada fielded design teams. As a silver sponsor, Thomson contributed to the operation of the five-day event, which was held at the Expo Gardens Fairgrounds in Peoria, Illinois.

Through involvement in the competition, students gain practical experience in the design of drive train systems, tractor performance, manufacturing processes, analysis of tractive forces, weight transfer and strength of materials. In addition, they also develop skills in communication, leadership, teamwork, fundraising, and testing and development.

Each team starts out with a 31-hp Briggs & Stratton engine and a set of Titan tires. The rest is up to them. A panel of industry experts judges the design for innovation, manufacturability, serviceability, safety, sound level, ergonomics and a design report submitted in advance of the competition.

Over the five days of the competition, they must sell their design in a formal presentation to industry experts acting as a corporate management team. Ultimately, they must prove designs in three performance events: three tractor pulls, a maneuverability course, and a durability course.

“We look forward to this event every year,” said Jeremy Gong, Area Sales Director at Thomson. “It’s not only important for the students and the mobile off-highway industry, but also a lot of fun. Being able to see the innovative designs these young engineers have been working on further indicates that this industry has an even brighter future.”

For more information on Thomson high-quality linear motion solutions, visit: https://www.thomsonlinear.com/en/products

For more information on the ASABE competition, visit: https://asabe.org/IQS

About Thomson Industries, Inc.

With 75 years of achievement in motion control innovation and quality, Thomson is the industry’s premier producer of Linear Actuators, Linear Ball Bushing® Bearings and Profile Rail Bearings, 60 Case® Shafting, Ground and Rolled Ball Screws, Linear Systems, and related accessories. Thomson invented the Linear Ball Bushing Bearing in 1945 and has set the standard ever since with an unsurpassed set of linear motion control solutions serving global aerospace and defense, medical and health, factory automation, food processing, and mobile off-highway markets. Thomson, a brand of U.S.-based Altra Industrial Motion, has facilities in North America, Europe and Asia with more than 2000 distributor locations around the world.

For more information Thomson Industries, Inc., 1500 Mittel Boulevard, Wood Dale, IL 60191-1073; 1-540-633-3549; 1- 540-633-0294 (fax); Thomson@thomsonlinear.com; www.thomsonlinear.com

The participants at the 25th annual American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) ¼ Scale Tractor Student Design Competition (IQS).

Thomson electric linear actuators are robust and reliable ? even in demanding environments.