Penn State Pullers club provides unmatched practical experience for students

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa — Drew Trostle, of Mercersburg, is a third-generation Penn Stater looking forward to a career in the agricultural equipment industry. The fourth-year student is pursuing a major in biological engineering and a minor in off-road equipment, both in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

However, Trostle said he credits the Penn State Pullers with providing real-world knowledge beyond the classroom.

“At first glance, the club looked like a fun way to get hands-on practice and be involved in creating something unique, but it’s turned out to be much more than that,” Trostle said. “It’s one thing to attend a lecture on design principles or compute calculations for homework, but to have a place where you can apply those principles helps solidify them. Seeing the value in what we’re learning is essential.”

The Penn State Pullers is a student-run organization that designs and manufactures quarter-scale tractors for the International Quarter-Scale Tractor Competition, hosted annually by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

“Students gain real-world experience working in a true team environment to plan, design, fabricate, test and raise funds for a one-quarter tractor, and to compete in an international competition,” said Suat Imak, professor and head of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. “The club has been an excellent asset to the department, college and Penn State. It enhances our visibility while providing unique experiences to students.”

Irmak reestablished the One-Quarter Scale Tractor Design and Puller Team in 2021 and has been advising and providing financial support to the team. Other advisers are Jude Liu, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering, and Jason Bechdel, engineering research technologist and lab coordinator. Irmak explained that the Pullers club was established to provide students with opportunities to integrate theoretical knowledge from the classroom with practical applications, thereby enhancing their learning.

Club members ideate, model, fabricate, source and assemble parts to build tractors featuring innovative mechanical designs and technological features. The club prides itself on providing members with the opportunities and resources to expand their understanding of design principles, tool functions, and hardware and software components commonly used in off-road equipment.

The Pullers also focus on technical writing, oral presentations and economic analysis related to the features and feasibility of the tractors they design. The club includes two teams: the upperclassmen A-team and the underclassmen X-team. Trostle joined the X-team during his freshman year.

“My experiences during the first year really got me hooked,” Trostle said. “I assumed the role of X-team captain as a sophomore, leading a group of five students.”

Each year, members of the A-team develop and manufacture a tractor from the ground up for the IQS Tractor Competition. For the competition, students are provided with a rule book, a standardized engine and two rear tires to integrate into a functional tractor.

As part of their score, A-team members complete written design reports, oral design and marketing pitch presentations, and cost analysis reports. They also undergo evaluations of the tractor’s maneuverability, durability and pulling performance during the annual competition. About 25 teams from across the United States and Canada compete.

Designed to offer a low-stakes introduction to the competition, the X-team is tasked with taking a tractor built by the A-team during the previous year and making value-added improvements to its design and capabilities. Learning is prioritized in this sector as new members gain an understanding of the design and manufacturing process.

As the X-team captain, Trostle said he gained management skills while increasing his knowledge of machine design and modeling tools. He and other team members led the team to a third-place finish in 2023, earning the club its highest overall recognition since 2012. That tractor was named “The X-hibitor” and is on display in the Agricultural Engineering Building.

During his junior year, Trostle became the A-team captain, an experience he described as incredibly rewarding. The team was tasked with integrating a new engine architecture into their tractor.

“We implemented a hydromechanical drivetrain with a ground-up frame redesign,” he said. “This experience taught not just me, but all our members, some valuable lessons from the realm of mobile hydraulics systems. That exposure is crucial for the future.”

This year, Trostle is the Puller’s president. He helps manage the two teams and club resources. His duties include establishing or continuing university and sponsor relations, organizing deadlines and schedules, ensuring those deadlines are met, and helping provide educational resources and training to new and returning members.

“All the experiences I’ve gained as a part of the Pullers will pay off down the road,” he said.

In addition to his role with the Pullers, Trostle is the special events coordinator for the student branch of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. The organization offers opportunities for students to connect with alumni and potential employers. In his role, Trostle manages resources for events the organization either holds or participates in.

Trostle also serves as a research assistant for Liu and has been working with a graduate student on research related to round baler efficiency, a project sponsored by CNH, a global leader in agricultural and construction equipment.

In addition to student fundraising, Irmak noted that the Penn State Pullers receive support from the Jim and Carolyn Hammerle Experiential Learning in Agricultural Engineering Fund, which supports agricultural and biological engineering learning and networking opportunities for students.

For more information about the Penn State Pullers, find them on Instagram and Facebook under the handle @pennstatepullers, or visit the club’s website.