Sebastian Behr from Germany has taken the 2014 Caterpillar Operator Challenge title after completing a series of timed challenges that measure productivity, efficiency and safety. Sebastian Behr is a second time winner as he first took the title in 2008 when the competition was last held. After competing in a series of national competitions, the 27 highly skilled finalists representing 11 nations (Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and the United
Sebastian Behr from Germany has taken the 2014 Caterpillar Operator Challenge title after completing a series of timed challenges that measure productivity, efficiency and safety. Sebastian Behr is a second time winner as he first took the title in 2008 when the competition was last held.
After competing in a series of national competitions, the 27 highly skilled finalists representing 11 nations (Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom), participated in the event which was held from 22-24 September at the Caterpillar Visitor and Training Centre in Leicester, and the nearby Breedon Aggregates quarry, United Kingdom.
The competitors took part in eight tough challenges that tested their skills in safety, accuracy, versatility. The three-day competition included a wide range of Cat construction equipment, from the 302.7D mini-excavator to the 725C articulated truck.
With a 312E excavator, competitors cut a trench using Cat Grade Control to achieve the correct depth within the allowed tolerance of 2 cm. Then, the contestants operated a 950K wheeled loader to carry gravel along a marked course before emptying their load into the centre of a Cat Certified Used articulated truck. Another challenge involved lifting golf balls from their tees using a specially built attachment located on the front of the bucket of a 302.7D mini-excavator, and then placing the balls in a series a holes, except for the last ball which was delicately repositioned on a tee.
At the gala evening and award ceremony, the overall winner was presented with a new Cat 300.9D mini-excavator.
Speaking after his victory, Sebastian Behr said “The competition was even closer and tougher than the last one. I did not expect to win again. It is an amazing feeling.”
Sebastian Behr lives in Cologne and operates a Cat 329 for the demolition company Winz.
The runner-up is Michel Abderhalden from Switzerland while Cristian Tanera from Italy claimed third place.
