Just In: Massive News As NC State Nabs Another “Major” National Accolade, But You Probably Haven’t Heard Of It

If you stroll past Patterson Hall, you can’t miss it: the “Intimidator.” This striking red and black tractor proudly stands just inside the entrance of the four-story brick building. Garey Fox, the dean of N.C. State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, made sure the “Intimidator” was relocated near his office. But this is no ordinary tractor inspired by Dale Earnhardt; it’s a champion on an international level.

Thanks to the “Intimidator,” the Pack Pullers — an engineering group at N.C. State — claimed the title of overall champions at the 2024 International Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Competition held in Peoria, Illinois. This annual event, taking place in late May and early June, provides students with practical engineering experience by challenging them to design, build, and test small-scale tractors. The Pack Pullers are one of the few Southeast teams competing against over 20 others, mostly from the Midwest. They have participated for about 20 years, having never placed higher than third until now.

This year, however, there was a different vibe in the air. “For six months, we’ve been hearing, ‘Why not us?’” joked Grant Ellington, the Pack Pullers team adviser, referring to the dual success of the Wolfpack’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. The competition itself is a rigorous evaluation of each team’s tractor design. Participants face early mornings and late nights in Peoria, where they must defend their design choices and showcase their tractor’s efficiency, durability, and overall performance.

It all kicks off at the check-in barn, where judges carefully inspect the tractors for compliance with a 25-page rule book, making the process quite stringent—some might say “somewhat ridiculous,” according to Ellington. There are specific ground clearance requirements, and low-carbon steel parts must differ in thickness from aluminum components. Additionally, the clutch cannot have any air gaps whatsoever. “A judge will examine every crevice with a thin piece of metal, and if it fits, you’ll fail,” explained Max Hooks, a graduate student adviser for the team. Perhaps the biggest challenge is that the tractor must weigh no more than 900 pounds. “The tractor’s got to go on a diet,” Ellington remarked.

Teams have a 24-hour period to make final adjustments, but the Pack Pullers usually don’t feel rushed. They take pride in their preparation, often just needing to make minor changes like adjusting shields or adding extra metal before they’re ready. “It’s always easier to do it here in Raleigh than it is in Illinois,” Ellington noted. The team constructs their tractor entirely in-house in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, with assistance from the BAE Research Shop. Preparing for the ASABE Quarter-Scale Tractor Competition is a major effort for the Pack Pullers, who commit 15-20 hours each week to the project, whether they’re in the classroom analyzing designs or fabricating parts in the shop. In the month leading up to the competition, their hours can jump to about 10 per day.

“Thomas Bartholomew and I have both spent over 24 hours straight working on it,” Hooks shared. “It requires constant effort—working two or three times a week and putting in extra hours; it doesn’t just happen on its own.” “What motivates me,” Hooks added, “is my competitive nature.” After placing third with their previous tractor, “Ole Red,” the team was eager to improve. This year, under Ellington’s leadership, the Pack Pullers concentrated on enhancing their soft skills, which make up 55% of the overall score. These skills are evaluated through team presentations and interviews with industry experts, where participants must handle surprise questions related to everything from gear ratios to financial strategies.

“One specific question we hadn’t really considered was, ‘Are you concerned about cannibalizing your market?’” Bartholomew mentioned, pondering if their new model might compete with their existing ones. At the closing banquet, the Pack Pullers, dressed in team polos and khakis, waited nervously for their scores. After experiencing a belt snap during the durability event, Bartholomew thought they would finish outside the top five. Meanwhile, club adviser Tommy Stephenson sat with his head in his hands. “Then we got called first,” Bartholomew recalled.

“Everyone just erupted in excitement.” Their emphasis on soft skills proved beneficial, as the Pack Pullers also won first place for best team presentation. There was no special lighting at the Memorial Belltower or a crowd of students to greet them upon their return—just Dean Fox, who met them after their 14-hour drive back to Raleigh. Still, the Pack Pullers feel connected to the excitement at N.C. State. “There’s a lot of anticipation and enthusiasm here,” Bartholomew noted. “We’re definitely looking forward to bringing home more awards.”