Posing for the winners' shot (L-R) are second-place winner Albert Breech of Breech Septic and Excavating; first-place winner Landon Greer of Courtney Enterprises; and third-place winner Kevin Stewart of Darby Creek Excavating.
Ohio CAT held its Cat Global Operator Challenge on July 17 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, site of the annual Farm Science Review.
Designed to highlight Cat Next Generation machines, the Cat Global Operator Challenge is a part of Caterpillar's initiative to introduce equipment operators to the company's latest technologies designed to increase productivity, safety and efficiency on the job site. Ohio CAT chose the Mini-Masters Challenge for contestants to maneuver the Next Gen 302 mini-hex through a simulated golf course and place the golf ball into the hole. Details of the course was to tee-off by hitting a golf ball in a designated area; next navigate the fairway using stick steer through a narrow opening by retracting the undercarriage; and finally when on the green they had to get one of three golf balls off a cone and placed in a bucket. It was based on time and skill (penalties for various things on the course caused for seconds to be deducted from your time).
The competitive field at the Ohio CAT event included area contractors, landscapers, farmers and utility contractors all vying for the top spot. Kevin Steward of Darby Creek Excavating took the third place; Albert Breech of Breech Septic and Excavating came in at second; first place went to Landon Greer of Courtney Enterprises. Greer's win advances him to the North American Regional Finals in Clayton, N.C., to be conducted Oct. 21-25, 2019. Regional champions from that round go on to compete against operators from around the world at the Global Finals at ConExpo 2020.
Contestants and spectators were treated to a barbecue lunch and were able to get an up-close look at Caterpillar machines in a static equipment display and speak with Ohio CAT representatives about the latest technologies from Caterpillar. There were various displays set-up around the dinner hall, from Northern Ohio Peterbilt, to International Fuel Systems, to Propeller/Trimble, to Product Support with their GET specials, to an Ohio CAT table with their specials on it. Everyone from the contestants, to the spectators, to the Ohio CAT staff are looking forward to the contest next year. CEG
Albert Breech of Breech Septic and Excavating maneuvers the mini-excavator though the course.
Ohio CAT Technical Training Supervisor Ben Courson (L) reviews aspects of the Caterpillar 301.8 mini-excavator with Chris Piscitello of CP&S Cement Construction. Piscitello was impressed with the machine’s accessibility for maintenance.
Ohio CAT’s Bill Pittenger (R) presents Kevin Stewart of Darby Creek Excavating with the third-place medal.
Albert Breech of Breech Septic and Excavating receives the second-place award.
Ohio CAT’s Bill Pittenger (R) presents Landon Greer of Courtney Enterprises with his medal and trophy for first place.
Posing for the winners’ shot (L-R) are second-place winner Albert Breech of Breech Septic and Excavating; first-place winner Landon Greer of Courtney Enterprises; and third-place winner Kevin Stewart of Darby Creek Excavating.
Contestants in Ohio CAT’s Global Operator Challenge pose for a group photo.
Bud & Malinda Raber of Fryburg Excavating were joined by their nephew, Gabe Troyer, to review this Caterpillar 745 haul truck on display at the event.
First-place winner Landon Greer of Courtney Enterprises takes the Caterpillar 302CR through the course.
The Farm Science Review Ohio State Student Facility Ground Crew stopped in to take a close look at the Caterpillar equipment.
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