Dr. Stettler has a broad background in agriculture and engineering.  He has been involved in education, the design of farmstead equipment and ag vehicles. Most of his career has been in the design of drivetrain components.

Background

After receiving his Master's degree, Dr. Stettler spent four years in the U.S. Agency for International Development helping to establish a School of Agriculture in Nigeria.  

Before beginning his Ph.D. program, Dr. Stettler worked for a company that produced parts for milking machines in Galesville, Wisconsin.  After finishing his Ph.D., he worked for Ford Tractor Division on the design of infinitely variable transmissions.  After three years, Dr. Stettler moved on to Deere where he first worked on drive train component quality and later in drive train design.

In drivetrain design, Dr. Stettler worked on a wide range of components, gears, shafts, bearings, clutches, brakes, axles, MFWD, PTO, hydrostatic transmissions, IVT, and cost reduction.  He worked on agricultural vehicles ranging from small tractors to large four wheel drive machines and tracked vehicles.  Dr. Stettler also worked on problems for other Deere locations including combine transmissions and construction vehicles.

Over his career, Dr. Stettler has worked on a number of projects and technical investigations. The following list illustrates some of the projects he has worked on:

   - Design of wet clutches and brakes for tractors ranging from 100 to 250 hp
   - Axle design 50 to 250 hp range
   - Developed basic concepts for IVT (infinitely variable transmission) for 175 to 200 hp      tractors
   - Planetary drives
   - Hydrostatic transmissions
   - Quality assurance for drivetrain components
   - Cost Reduction
   - Patents: on ITV and other drivetrain functions

Additional Information