Program receives tractor through grant

Wanting to be able to teach students on the newest equipment available, Pratt Community College asked for a new tractor in the Ag Power Technology department with this year’s grant money.
Every year the school receives the State Vocational Capital Outlay Grant, which is funded through the Kansas Board of Regents.
 
“We wanted to provide the department with a tractor that has modern electronics, hydraulics and control systems,” said Jim Stratford, Vice President of Instruction.
 
With the grant money, the department went through a bidding process and was able to buy a new Case International with a loader.
 
“It’ll be a nice addition to the program,” said Rod Stewart, head of the APT program. “Having this with our older tractors will give the guys a larger variety of items to work on.”
 
In the program, Stewart said he teaches students by having them trouble shoot, fix issues on the tractors and do basic maintenance to keep the machines running smoothly.