Today 32 of the City of Chattanooga Department of Public Works Equipment Operators took part in a bit of friendly, but fierce, competition.
"Our Equipment Operators make running these machines look easy, however, they are powerful and deceptively difficult to maneuver," officials said. "It takes a highly skilled individual to operate heavy machinery in such an efficient and effective manner. Competitions, like this equipment roadeo, provide an opportunity to showcase and celebrate our employees who deliver valuable services to our community."
The winners of each competition secure a spot in the upcoming TCAPWA/SWANA Conference Equipment Roadeo in Chattanooga this year, Nov. 5-7.
Overall Winners: 1st Place = Kevin White, 2nd Place = Daniel Graber, and 3rd Place = Tony Hudgens.
The Backhoe Competition
This event is to test the operator skills in the use of the backhoe. The objective is to lift a 12-inch length of 1-inch diameter steel pipe out of a bucket of sand by hooking to a 4” ring welded to the end of the pipe, then swing the boom about 120 degrees and insert the 1” pipe into a 2-inch PVC pipe positioned vertically.
1st Place Winner = Kevin White
2nd Place Winner = Brian Conry
3rd Place Winner = Daniel Graber
The Skidsteer Competition
The objective of this event is to load material (wood, mulch) from a stockpile, drive through a specified course and empty the material behind a 4-foot high wall or into a low-sided small dump area.
1st Place Winner = Kevin White
2nd Place Winner = Tony Hudgens
3rd Place Winner = Allen Wedman
The Knuckleboom Competition
The objective of this event is to pick up a solid brick paver from a flat surface; swing over the trailer; place brick on a 12 – inch square target (painted on the pavement or preferably painted on a 4’ x 4’ piece of plywood) and return the bucket to the trailer bed. The brick must be picked up in the bucket blade and not scooped up in the bucket. If the brick is broken, a replacement brick will be set in place. The brick must be placed on the target intact and completely within the 12” square area. Time will continue until the brick is on target and the bucket returned to the start position.
1st Place Winner = Wesley Barnes
2nd Place Winner = Chris Dossett
3rd Place Winner = Kevin White
The Garbage Loader Competition
The objective of this event is to test driving and 90-gallon cart loading skills with a one-armed loader. The driver must back through a course to a back line then move forward picking up and emptying three 90 gallon carts into the truck and pulling forward to the starting point.
1st Place Winner = Paul Friddell
2nd Place Winner = David O'Rear
3rd Place Winner = Shane Scott
The Gradall Competition
This event will test the operator using a Gradall type piece of equipment. Twelve tennis balls will be randomly placed in the bucket, which must be emptied into a 4 – inch PVC 3 - foot tall pipe placed on a stand.
1st Place Winner = Derek Kilgore
2nd Place Winner = Daniel Graber
3rd Place Winner = Allen Wedman
The Wheel Loader Competition
The objective of this event is to load material (sand, mulch or crushed stone) from a stockpile, drive the loader through a specified course and empty the material into a dump truck then back the loader back through the course and return it to its original spot.
1st Place Winner = Kevin White
2nd Place Winner = Tony Hudgens
3rd Place Winner = Daniel Graber