Mission:
Cowboy Motorsports is a division of Oklahoma State University's Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering department. Each year the team, composed of undergraduate students, sets out to design and build a 1/4-scale pulling tractor for an international collegiate competition sponsored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The competition consists of a performance pull as well as design judging, a written report, and an oral presentation. The goal of the competition is for the team members to be able to utilize some of the tools gained in various classes and see those concepts develop in a real world application. In addition, the students also learn invaluable teamwork and communication skills as well as developing real world contacts, which could later prove valuable in their careers.
The Team:
Cowboy Motorsports is comprised mostly of students enrolled in the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department at Oklahoma State University, but is not exclusive of students from other departments. The team's goal is to design and build a quarter-scale size tractor with which to compete every summer in the international competition. Students are involved in the team purely as an extracurricular activity, aside from the rigorous demands of daily classwork.
One division of the team is known as the X-Team. This division is composed of first-year members on the team and a Sophomore member that serves as X-Team Director. The X-Team's duty is to make 20% modifications to the previous year's Senior Team tractor. A written report and oral presentation on those changes is also required. X-Team members also have the opportunity to work on the Senior Team tractor in order to gain experience from older members on the team.
Fall semesters are full of exhibition pulls located in different areas around the state. The Oklahoma Garden Tractor Pulling Association has been very generous in allowing the team to pull with them the past several years. Not only does this give the team a chance to exhibit the tractor, but it also provides driving experience to potential drivers for the upcoming year. Throughout the year, the tractor is also displayed at various events around the state, inlcuding the FFA Convention and the Engineering Fair at the Omniplex in Oklahoma City.
The Tractor:
Weight: The completed tractor (not including operator or ballast, but including all fluids) must weigh no more than 900 lbs.
Weight Classes (including driver weight): 1050 lbs. and 1300 lbs.
Dimensions: Can be up to 72 inches wide and 96 inches long (from the front to the center of the rear axle).
Engine: 16 horse power Vanguard engine (Model 303447), donated by Briggs & Stratton. Cannot be modified in any way.
Fuel: Eighty-seven (87) octane fuel.
Tires: Firestone 26 x 12.00 - 12 Flotation 23 (donated by Firestone).
Sponsorship Information:
The team is funded primarily by corporations, small businesses, individuals, and families. Every fall, and extending into the spring, team members work hard to obtain donations in order to cover the costs of building the new tractor, modifying the previous year's tractor, and paying for the trip to the competition.
Sponsorship amounts are categorized based on a rewards system. Donating to Cowboy Motorsports not only helps the success of the team, but also provides an opportunity for business publicity. Below is a list of reward categories based on donation amount.
1/4 Puller ($0-$99): Your name on the team t-shirt and website.
1/2 Puller ($100-$249): Your name on the team t-shirt, website, and displayed with "1/2 Pullers" recognition.
3/4 Puller ($250-$499): Your name on the team t-shirt, website, and displayed with "3/4 Pullers" recognition.
Full Puller ($500-$749): Your name on the team t-shirt, website, and your logo displayed with "Full Pullers" recognition.
Full Puller ($750-$999): Your name on the team t-shirt, website, and displayed with "Full Pullers" recognition.
Full Puller ($1000 or more): Your name on the team t-shirt and website, and your logo on the tractor with "Full Pullers" recognition.
All sponsors are provided one t-shirt at no cost. Additional t-shirts can be ordered by contacting the team.
The Competition:
For the competition, each team is provided a 16 horsepower engine, donated by Briggs & Stratton, and a set of tires, donated by Firestone. Teams are then responsible for designing their own frame, drive train, steering components, and controls. Judging is based on overall power and performance of their pulling tractor, a written design report, an oral presentation, and overall design characteristics, including manufacturability, serviceability, and safety.
For detailed information involving the competition, please visit the ASABE 1/4 Scale Tractor Competition website
Information for this page has been adapted from the ASABE 1/4 Scale Tractor National Student Design Competition website.
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