Cat Global Operator Challenge sees UK Built Backhoe challenge competitors

and Tommy Murphy of Ireland, gathered at the Caterpillar Demonstration and Learning Centre for a chance to win one of three places at the Global Operator Challenge live final in Las Vegas at ConExpo in March 2023.

For some operators, it was their first time at a European final, but for Tommy Murphy, this represented a return to the competition he so nearly won at ConExpo in 2020, eventually coming second to Jaus ‘The Boss’ Neigum of Canada.

Caterpillar kicked off the event with a specially choreographed machine display, including a show stopping firework display. The next day it was down to business, where the four very different trials were revealed to the operators.

The first was titled ‘Make the Grade’ – this involved the use of the latest 326 next generation excavator, which comes with the onboard Cat 2D Grade control software. This is an assist feature that gives the operator real-time guidance using sensors on the machine, and a connected tablet mounted in the cab.

It also allows them to put information into the tablet so they can offset levels using the joystick, touch screen, or jog dial controls.

The Cat 326 machine was launched as part of the Caterpillar Next Generation roll-out in October 2019. The machine has an all new cab design and can be remotely started using a Bluetooth key fob or the unique Operator ID function. It has an 8 inch high resolution touchscreen and is powered by the Cat 7.1 engine that is up to 15 % more fuel efficient.

It also boasts a SMART-mode operation that automatically matches engine speed and hydraulic power to digging conditions, offering an additional 5 percent fuel saving.

For this challenge the operator was required to use the 2D Grade control system to complete a 6 metre long grading task which was programmed into the machine. The need for accuracy was key in this challenge, as the whole length had to be within +/- 1cm.

To add a bit more of a challenge, the operator first had to navigate around a steel drum using the stick steer to get to the main challenge itself. They then had to bench with the left bucket corner on a designated spot on the ground before starting the challenge.

Once complete, they then had to travel back to the starting point and replace the bucket on the dedicated start position. All of which were timed. A team of Cat specialists then measured the graded section in five different places adding penalty points if the grade was over or under the 1cm tolerance. It took a delicate hand on the joystick to achieve grade, and I noted a number of indentations in the fine sand used for the challenge, meaning penalty time points were added on.

The next ‘Time to Move’ challenge went from tracks to wheels with the Cat MH3022 material handler. This machine, launched in August 2021, is built for the waste handling, scrap, and recycling sector. For the challenge, it featured a Caterpillar grab attachment. Powered by a Cat C4.4 engine, the operators needed to take full advantage of its 10280mm reach for this challenge. One of the key features of the machine was also needed in the challenge as it comes with an all new raised cab, ideal for looking into a container hiding some colourful tyres.

And it was these tyres that the operators had to handle from the container onto a specially designed tree like steel structure whose branches the tyres were placed on.

For the operator, this was all about using the machine to move two different coloured tyres hidden from ground level onto the structure. If a tyre had to be repositioned, a designated area was provided, and if a tyre fell and travelled out of reach, the operator could use a grapple ‘safe zone’ to stop the clock, but unfortunately, not the time penalty.

From booms to big buckets saw the third ‘ Perfect Payload’ challenge for operator skills in the form of another technology supported challenge. This time it was all about the payload with the Cat 982 XE wheel loader, loading a Cat 772G off highway truck with an exact amount of aggregate.

Launched in May 2021, the Cat 982 is the larger of two medium sized XE wheel loaders models, with the sister machine being the Cat 980. It was also the first time Caterpillar designed a model size in this class with a continuous variable transmission. This step change allows the machine to deliver up to 35% more fuel efficiency. But more importantly, for the challenge was how the 982 XE onboard payload technology matched with that of the 772G.

With a specific payload required, the operator had to be very careful in loading the second of two bucket loads of material. With each operator going for a full bucket first, the main part of the challenge was all about keeping material inside the bucket whilst navigating tight turns and slopes so as not to incur a penalty.

But the challenge really weighed on the operator for the second bucket load as this was only required to be partially full. So here it was all about delicate controls of the bucket tip off to achieve the required payload. Tip off too much or too little and penalty time awaited. Sadly for one operator, this proved very challenging, with the bucket having to be refilled. And for another operator balancing speed whilst trying to keep material in the bucket proved to be very difficult.

But the one challenge that looked easy but proved to be the downfall of even the best operators was the Backhoe loader ‘CHAIN-ging’ challenge. This involved the use of the dual functions of the UK build Cat 432 backhoe loader powered by the Cat C3.6 engine and operated from seat mounted electro-hydraulic controls in the new larger cab.

And it was a challenge devised by experienced operator trainer and demonstrator Simon Hill. He took me around the challenge and explained how it was put together and some of the pitfalls for the operators.  

Simon: “When we devised the challenge, we wanted it to reflect the diverse capabilities of the backhoe and also challenge the skills of the operators, some of which had never operated a Cat backhoe before.

“The first section was all about speed and control, with two tennis balls placed on cones to be knocked over by the front loader bucket teeth in order. We then wanted the operators to do a quick changeover to the backhoe for more precision work. This also required the operators to gauge where to setup the backhoe in order to be able to reach the next part of the challenge. Get this wrong, and it becomes more difficult.

“We devised the next section to challenge both accuracy and control with a pink hook mounted onto the backhoe bucket. This is required to hook a ring connected to a chain which lifts a weight.

Once hooked, the weight has to be moved to connect into a specially fabricated container. This requires delicate control to slot the weight into the container, lift it and move it to a dedicated touch plate. Once this has touched the plate, the container then needs to be moved back to its original spot, the weight lifted out and replaced to its original position.

If this is completed without any of the items touching the sand around the plate, then the operator will move on penalty free. Once this task was completed, it’s a race to reverse the machine back into its designated tight parking spot.”

The challenges really were very diverse and complicated this year, but three competitors managed to get around them faster than the other 19 to win a place at the Global Operator Challenge Final at ConExpo in March. And they were, in first place, Pontus Eriksson, a general construction operator from Sweden with 12 years of experience.

 In second place, with Sebastian Behr, a Road and General Construction operator from Germany with 25 years experience. And in third place was Lukasz Mokrzynski, a Water and Sewage Services specialist with 15 years experience.

It was great to see the competition back for another year, and I look forward to seeing the winner crowned at ConExpo in March 2023.