WELLS, ME — The best machine operators across North America recently gathered to prove their mastery of both equipment and technology. Held on Caterpillar grounds at the Edward J. Rapp Customer & Training Center, the Global Operator Challenge (GOC) divided the 32 best operators from the United States and Canada into east and west regions for the semifinal competitions.
Brian Hayden with Hayden Excavating and Welding Inc. from Maine, representing dealer Milton Cat, was crowned North America’s Eastern Region semifinal champion. Hayden finished the four GOC events with the lowest point total of 1,313, which is a combination of time and penalties.
“What makes me proud is just, you know, nothing to do with me,” Hayden said. “It’s bringing recognition to the operators that devote their time and lives to what they do and then showcasing them with their skills.”
Hayden now advances to the final round to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, during CONEXPO-CON/AGG on March 4, 2026, inside Caterpillar’s 70,000-square-foot outdoor exhibit in the Festival Lot.
During the semifinal competitions, all competitors completed the same four events using Cat equipment and technology.
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| Beauregard Equipment |
| Monroe Tractor |
“Our team pulled out all the stops to make sure this was a true test of skill,” said Jason Hurdis, Global Industry Solutions Manager for Caterpillar. “We created a level playing field where every operator had the same shot at victory, proving that it all came down to talent, grit, and performance.”
The Over-the-Top Challenge saw competitors put their versatility and precision to the test by operating a Cat compact track loader through a multi-phase course. Starting with a bar carriage, operators navigated rugged terrain, including C-Channels and moguls, before swapping to a bucket for a high-speed loading sequence. After dumping two loads into a commercial truck, they switched to a material handling arm to lift and place objects on a staged platform. The challenge ended with a final sprint to the finish.
An urban-inspired challenge, City Streets showcased the operators' finesse and power as they tackled a series of precision tasks using a Cat excavator. Competitors began by placing a manhole lid into a cast frame, then maneuvered to the berm’s edge to retrieve and insert a 30-inch pipe into a vertical culvert. The challenge intensified with a heavy-load sequence, requiring operators to fill an articulated truck with 15 to 20 tons of material. After honking the truck off, participants returned to the start and parked the bucket in its designated spot, completing the course.
Featuring a Cat wheel loader, the Load ‘N Loader Challenge highlighted the agility and adaptability of the operators as they navigated a dual-phase course. Starting at the bunker pile, participants loaded and hauled material along a marked path before dumping it into a Cat articulated truck. The challenge then shifted to precision handling, where operators had to swap their bucket for forks and transport a pipe across a designated route and place it accurately on a flatbed trailer. After reversing the process and restoring the pipe to its original location, competitors reconnected the bucket and raced to the finish.
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| United Construction & Forestry |
| WI Clark |
To celebrate a century of earthmoving, the Centennial Push Challenge had operators put a Cat dozer through a series of precision maneuvers. Competitors began by dozing a tire down a narrow path into a goal zone, then sliding a pipe along a rope using only the dozer’s blade. The course continued with a grading segment that demanded smooth, even dirt distribution, followed by a bell-ringing task that tested blade accuracy. Operators then reversed off a slope and returned to the starting box, finishing with a ripper placement that sealed the run.
The regional GOC semifinals are a culmination of months of competitions held worldwide by Cat dealers.
“This year we saw a record-breaking number of dealer competitions,” Hurdis said. “It’s a true testament to the passion and pride of the operators in this industry.”
