KELLY TRACTOR HOSTS CAT GLOBAL OPERATOR CHALLENGE AT MIAMI HQ

The stage was set on a beautiful Miami day for the Kelly Tractor Cat Operator Challenge.

On the excavator challenge, it’s all about accuracy as Kelly Tractor and SITECH reps discuss dig depth with a contestant. Kelly Tractor Hosts Next Series of Cat’s 2022/2023 Global

Kelly Tractor continued its series of 2022 Cat Global Operator Challenges at the company’s Miami headquarters location on May 21.

A continuous flow of contestants came through with their co-workers or families throughout the day to compete against their fellow operators in Miami and south Florida. By all appearances, it was a rather tight competition from a field of very talented operators.

There was something for all ages, including Famous Dave’s “Legendary Pit BBQ” at lunch time. For the equipment enthusiast, there were static displays of the newest machines available from Kelly Tractor Company and Kelly Rents.

Ultimately, contestants were vying for a spot in the regional finals and the potential to advance to the Global Operator Challenge Finals at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2023 in Las Vegas, where Caterpillar will crown one operator as World Champion.  CEG (All photographs in this article are Copyright 2022 Construction Equipment Guide. All Rights Reserved.)

Great support for the event rolled in from Caterpillar representatives, (L-R) including Jason Hurdis; Jessica Nunley; Parker Welch; Cara Reginald; and Bill Taylor. Ernesto Rodriguez of Westwind Contracting, based in Pembroke Park, Fla., looked to have some great machine control in his run at the compact track loader event.

Kelly Tractor’s Jim Keegan (R) provides some operating instruction to Eduardo Lanza, a young Cat equipment enthusiast and the son of a Caterpillar staffer. Members of the Kelly Tractor marketing team put on another successful Operator Challenge. (L-R) are Mabel Beltran, Flavio Del Pino, Margarita Arroyo, Barbie Diaz and Claudia Luzardo.

Ripping it up on the excavator challenge is Carlos Rodriguez (in cab), South Florida Excavating Inc., Miami, Fla., while one of Kelly Tractor’s demonstration instructors, Chad Thompson, keeps time and scoring on the run. Operator Challenge Competition at Miami Headquarters

A video crew was out making “stars” of contestants, including George Monserrat (R) of Geo Grade Construction, Homestead, Fla., who said: “I’m here ‘cause I want to go to Vegas.” Operating a Cat 950M wheel loader, another challenge contestant makes a run at the Load & Go event.