Big dig energy coming to Feilding as excavator operators vie for national title
New Zealand’s top excavator operators will put their skills to the test in Feilding this week when they roll their 13-tonne machines onto Manfeild for the national excavator operator competition.
This year’s Civil Contractors New Zealand event, tomorrow and Saturday during the Central Districts Field Days, is the 30th anniversary of the heavy metal showdown.
The 2024 edition will feature a host of new challenges, as well as the crowd-pleasing tests of precision, such as dunking a basketball using an excavator’s bucket or pouring a cup of tea using a specially engineered excavator attachment.
“It promises to be the most spectacular competition yet, with some breathtaking new challenges that won’t be revealed to competitors until they rumble out onto the arena on the event’s first day”, said Civil Contractors New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard.
“The quirky tests of skill always bring the crowds but there’s a more serious side to the event as well, with plenty of traditional tasks such as trenching, operating around underground services, and tests of operator’s health and safety knowledge.”
Pollard said a big talking point this year was whether defending champion Troy Calteaux from Otago company Andrew Haulage 2011 Ltd could become the first to win four titles.
Standing in his way are 12 other elite operators who won competitions in their home regions to reach the national finals.
Among them is Manawatū-Whanganui champion John McMillan.
McMillan works for Loaders Civil in Whanganui and hoped to finish on the pedestal in his first tilt at the national title.
“The other competitors will travel from all across the country and they might have a few people in support, but being from the local area most people will be flying that Manawatu-Whanganui flag and supporting me.”
Pollard said the annual competition provided a chance to celebrate New Zealand’s excavator operators and inspire young people to consider careers in civil contracting.