Branch Participation

1.  ¼ Scale Tractor Design Competition

One of the primary concerns in industry today is that engineering students of all disciplines are entering the workforce with too little practical knowledge and design experience.  Student design competitions and projects are an invaluable way to prepare students to be more effective engineers when they enter the workforce.  In cooperation with professionals in industry, ASABE organizes an international student design competition based upon the concept of designing, fabricating, and testing a ¼ scale pulling tractor.  There are four main judging categories: a written design report, a team presentation, an individual design judging competition, and a performance competition.  The performance competition is comprised of general inspection/safety check, maneuverability, sound, and brake evaluation, and a series of pulls at two different hitch heights with the weight transfer sled.  Each tractor is provided an opportunity to pull a progressive resistance sled with its uniquely designed ¼ scale tractor.

Students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are 100% responsible for the design and construction of the ¼ scale tractor.  They do all of the fundraising and outside of being asked to provide some materials or equipment, the faculty is not directly involved with fabrication or testing of the tractor.  The students gain practical experience in the design of a tractor in regard to performance, drive-train systems, analysis of tractive forces, strengths of materials, fabrication techniques, and weight transfer.

 

2015 Team Photo

2. Lawn Mower, Snow Blower and Roto-Tiller Clinic

The UW-Madison Pre-professional ASABE chapter holds an annual fundraiser, the Lawn Mower, Snow Blower and Roto Tiller Clinic (LMC). This is the primary source of funding for the chapter. Over the course of three days, club members volunteer their time to service lawnmowers, snow blowers and roto-tillers. The standard service provided to the machines includes blade sharpening, changing the oil, operational checking and repair, and a thorough cleaning and shining.

Prior to the LMC, advertisements are sent to faculty in both CALS and the College of Engineering, as well as posted around campus.  These advertisements include information on time, location, and cost of services. Most of the machines serviced are owned by faculty and staff in the UW-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) as well as from members of the surrounding community.

This year, as with past years, the LMC was held at the Agricultural Engineering Machinery Lab on November 6 – 8, 2016.  The total income was $2,251. Volunteers included many members and staff from the club for several hours. Hot food and snacks was provided by some of the BSE faculty for our volunteers.

Proceeds from the fundraiser are used yearly to cover the operational costs of the group. These costs include funding trips and tours, to sponsor individuals attending Midwest Regional Rally, Wisconsin Section meetings, and ASABE Annual International Meeting. The LMC was once again a great success this year, and we look forward to continuing the tradition!

Students and faculty complete a final quality control check to make sure all of the mowers have been filled to the correct level with oil.
AEM2

Thursday evening our shop is filled with lawnmowers, snow blowers, and rototillers all tagged and ready to be serviced.
AEM3

3. Polygon Engineering Student Council

The Polygon Engineering Student Council coordinates and supports the various engineering student organizations.  The ASABE Polygon Representative acts as a liaison between Polygon and ASABE, and attends all of the Polygon Engineering Student Council Meetings where representatives from all engineering student organizations meet twice a month to discuss activities and policies for students. The representative will then report back at the monthly ASABE meetings on discussed topics or current issues.

Having a representative attend Polygon is important to ASABE for multiple reasons. Polygon grants in meeting and out of meeting funding for various engineering clubs. ASABE has traditionally funded trips and hotel fares or registration fees with this money. Additionally, Polygon works to keep member organizations informed about events hosted by other engineering student organizations.

4. CALS Student Council

The primary responsibility of the ASABE University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Student Council Representative is to attend all CALS Student Council Meetings.  At the meetings, representatives from other Agricultural and Life Sciences organizations meet twice a month to discuss activities and policies within the college.

CALS Student Council is responsible for organizing several activities including the CALS Welcome Back Picnic, CALS Week, Ag Olympics, CALS Day for Kids, and leadership classes.