Skip to main content

Caterpillar's Third Global Operator Challenge

Heavy equipment operators from more than 40 countries will compete to claim the worldwide title in the largest challenge to date, says Tony Fassino, group president of Caterpillar Construction Industries.
By David Arminas December 17, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
Easy does it, now! Gently, gently.....

Caterpillar has launched its third Global Operator Challenge, where thousands of operators test their agility and versatility on a range of construction equipment and technology.

“For nearly 100 years, our customers have been pushing the limits with our machines,” said Tony Fassino, group president of Caterpillar Construction Industries. “This challenge helps showcase and celebrate the exceptional skills of the expert men and women in this important profession as they forge their legacies of being the best operators in the world.”

More than 140 Cat dealer competitions were held during the 2022-2023 challenge, which attracted more than 10,000 operators from 32 countries. The 2025-2026 challenge aims to include more events, countries and operators than previous programmes.

Operators are invited to compete in local challenges facilitated by Cat dealers around the globe during the first round, being held from January to September next year. The competitions will feature at least three different challenges on at least three separate pieces of equipment. Scoring is based on the operator’s skills, safety, efficiency and competence in using integrated technology such as payload, grade control and operator ease-of-use features to enhance the machine’s performance.

Winners from local dealer events will advance to regional semifinal competitions during the fall of 2025. Nine finalists will emerge from the regional semifinals and participate in the final competition in March 2026 at Caterpillar’s outdoor Festival Grounds exhibit during CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas. The winner receives either a US$10,000 cash prize or an equal value trip for two where Caterpillar has a location worldwide.

For more information and official rules about the Global Operator Challenge, including how to participate, visit www.cat.com/operatorchallenge.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Cat’s 988K delivers increased loading capability
    January 6, 2017
    Caterpillar’s seventh generation 988 wheeled loader – the 988K – is powered by a Tier 4 Final/Stage IV Cat C18 ACERT diesel engine, featuring selective catalytic reduction and delivering 362kW. The engine is said to deliver a 20% fuel efficiency benefit compared to the 988H, thanks in part to an ECO mode with on-demand throttle, auto idle and engine idle kickdown/auto resume system. The 50tonne machine moves away from its predecessor’s monoboom loader arm design in favour of a Z-bar linkage.
  • Cat’s 988K delivers increased loading capability
    April 17, 2013
    Caterpillar’s seventh generation 988 wheeled loader – the 988K – is powered by a Tier 4 Final/Stage IV Cat C18 ACERT diesel engine, featuring selective catalytic reduction and delivering 362kW. The engine is said to deliver a 20% fuel efficiency benefit compared to the 988H, thanks in part to an ECO mode with on-demand throttle, auto idle and engine idle kickdown/auto resume system. The 50tonne machine moves away from its predecessor’s monoboom loader arm design in favour of a Z-bar linkage.
  • Russia to become the world’s largest infrastructure market?
    February 20, 2012
    Russia should be one of the largest and most dynamic infrastructure markets in the world over the next 15 years, and now "the time is right to begin a major push." Patrick Smith reports
  • Materials shortage & supply chain issues frustrate strong 2022 German construction equipment demand
    February 18, 2022
    Materials shortage and supply chain issues are tempering strong German construction equipment demand in early 2022, according to the VDMA.