Twenty Nicholls students will compete in an international quarter scale tractor competition on May 26 through June 1 in East Moline, Ill.Students from six different manufacturing technology classes and the Nicholls Engineering Technology Society are participating in the competition sponsored by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers.

At the end of the Spring 2004 semester, the students considered other competitions, such as building a racecar or a boat, before choosing to compete in the tractor competition. “We decided on the tractor competition because we are a relatively small group,” Richard Ourso, manufacturing engineering technology senior from Raceland, said. “The First year is always rough.”

The competition is a yearlong project and students have been working on the tractor since the fall.

Each team is provided a 16 horsepower Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine and a set of Bridgestone/Firestone tires. The teams are responsible for the construction and overall design of its tractor. Each team will be judged on its written design report, team oral presentation, design judging, maneuverability and performance.

“We must conduct the project like an actual business,” Ourso said. There is a chief executive officer and vice presidents of the three departments, which are design, manufacturing and business.

“They design components to go into the tractor, such as the transmission, axle, brakes and steering mechanism,” George Watt, director of applied sciences and project adviser, said. “The team is also able to purchase equipment to place in the tractor.”

Ourso said the team is responsible for financing the project. “We buy the materials to build the tractor, which may include renting machines and buying tools,” Ourso said. Participants must also pay for transportation to the event.

The team members have looked to the Thibodaux community to help them finance their project. “We raised money by asking for donations and selling raffles,” Ourso said. “We have had a very positive outreach from the community.”

“This project teaches students how to design mechanical components and mechanical processes, such as welding and machining,” Watt said. “Students also gain knowledge of business principles, such as scheduling, teamwork and leadership. Basically, the project gives students the opportunity to apply what is learned in class to the real world.”

Watt said the students take the initiative in completing the project. “Students take the whole load,” Watt said. “I don’t force them to do anything. It is their project, and they work really hard on it.