Why Are WSU Students working On A 60-Year-Old Bulldozer?

Typically when discussing farm equipment and technology, the industry focusses on the latest updates and the newest products. But not Washington State University’s Agriculture Technology and Production Management Program, better known as AgTM. Students in the program are currently overhauling a one-ton, custom-made miniature bulldozer built by WSU students in the 1960s. The machine was donated by an Illinois family this fall after a long career of working farms in the Midwest.

The trip from the Land of Lincoln to Pullman has been a long an interesting one, but why are students at WSU focusing on technology older than their parents? Tadd Wheeler with AgTM said allowing the students to see how this piece of equipment has handled the test of time, helps with their long-term goals.

“A big part of what we work with our students now is to become managers, not so much mechanics or machinists, but managers of an operation, and by seeing something like this, they can say ‘hey, regular maintenance does matter’, or ‘properly matching the equipment to its task really does matter’.”

Wheeler added the connection to farming history is great for students, whether they are coming from a family farm, or a more urban setting.

“But they are coming in to learn everything from the fundamentals or science and technology up to business and management skills to come together with this holistic picture of how can I go out and either manage my family farm so that it’s successful into the future, or how can I go into industry and help a larger farm owner or help a collaborative of farm owners be successful into the future.”

Wheeler said anyone who may have remembered working on this bulldozer at WSU in the 1960s is asked to reach out and share their history. To learn more, visit WSU's AgTM Website.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com