Global Operator Challenge

The Results Are In!

Best Time Overall

Congratulations Kent Schewe for winning 1st place for Best Time Overall!

The following participants completed all 3 challenges and placed as followed based on their combined times for the Dozer, Compact Track Loader (CTL), and Excavator:

Best Time on Dozer

Congratulations Gerald Infinger for winning 1st place for Best Time on the Dozer!

The following participants completed the Dozer challenge and placed as followed based on their times for the Dozer:

Best Time on Compact Track Loader (CTL)

Congratulations Kent Schewe for winning 1st place for Best Time on the Compact Track Loader (CTL)!

The following participants completed the Compact Track Loader (CTL) challenge and placed as followed based on their times for the Compact Track Loader (CTL):

Best Time on Excavator

Congratulations Nicholas Walker for winning 1st place for Best Time on the Excavator!

The following participants completed the Excavator challenge and placed as followed based on their times for the Excavator:

Test Your Skills. Become a Legend.

We’re on a quest to find the best equipment operator in South Carolina. Think you have what it takes? Sign up for Blanchard’s Local Operator Challenge event to show your expertise in operating Cat Equipment. Our challenge is open to anyone in SC (age 18 and older) with experience operating heavy machinery. The overall winner from our event will advance to the Caterpillar Regional Operator Challenge for the U.S. Title. The U.S. champion will then move on to the Global Operator Challenge at the 2026 ConExpo event in Las Vegas competing against top operators from around the world.

When: Thursday, May 15th OR Friday, May 16th, choose your time slot below

Where: The Blanchard Farm in West Columbia at 1235 Old State Road, West Columbia, 29172

What: Three required courses utilizing a medium excavator, a small or medium dozer, and a compact track loader

All attendees must register* – please specify if you are attending as a competitor or as a spectator. All registered attendees are eligible for swag, giveaways, and door prizes.

Free Lunch Provided from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Do you have what it takes to show you belong on the world stage? Sign up now to compete in the 2025 Global Operator Challenge! Our morning sessions for 5/15 and 5/16 are full. We still have openings for the afternoon sessions!

Registration Required:

*Operator must submit an entry application with Blanchard Machinery. Operator must be 18 years of age or older and legally able to travel to competition locations. Operator will be selected and nominated by Blanchard Machinery for participation in the Eastern Regional Finals, pursuant to the local Challenge to evaluate operator skills.