The president of an excavation and welding firm in Maine will signify america within the finals of Caterpillar’s International Operators Problem.

Brian Hayden, president of Hayden Excavating and Welding Inc. of Wells, earned the bottom level complete of 1,313, which is a mix of time and penalties, on the semifinals September 23 in Clayton, North Carolina. He represented vendor Milton Cat for North America’s Jap Area. (To observe highlights of his efficiency, try the video on the finish of this text.)

Hayden was modest in his victory and hoped it could assist elevate the profile of the operator occupation.

“What makes me proud is simply, you understand, nothing to do with me,” Hayden mentioned. “It’s bringing recognition to the operators that commit their time and lives to what they do after which showcasing them with their expertise.”

He now advances to the finals to be held at ConExpo 2026 in Las Vegas, the place he’ll compete with eight different contestants for the title of world’s greatest tools operator.

Brock Leclerc with Quattro Constructors of British Columbia, Canada, can even be amongst these finalists in Vegas. He ended the semifinals in Clayton with 1,540 factors. He represented vendor Finning Canada for North America’s Western Area. 

Regional competitions are set for this month in Europe, South America and Asia Pacific to decide on the opposite finalists. The finals winner receives both a $10,000 money prize or an equal worth journey for 2 to a Caterpillar location of his selection. 

In all, 32 operators, divided into east and west areas, competed within the North American occasion, finishing 4 challenges with Cat compact observe loaders, excavators, dozers and wheel loaders. They’d superior to the occasion following native challenges held across the continent at Caterpillar dealerships.

The 4 challenges are as follows:

Over-the-High Problem – function a compact observe loader by a multi-phase course that features navigating rugged terrain and obstacles with a bar carriage, high-speed loading, and lifting and inserting objects on a staged platform.

Metropolis Streets – function an excavator in a collection of precision duties, together with inserting a manhole lid right into a forged body, inserting a 30-inch pipe right into a vertical culvert and filling an articulated dump truck with 15 to twenty tons of fabric.

Load ‘N Loader Problem – function a wheel loader to load and haul materials alongside a marked path earlier than dumping it into an articulated dump truck after which swapping the bucket for forks to move a pipe throughout a chosen route and place it precisely on a flatbed trailer.

Centennial Push Problem – function a dozer by a collection of precision maneuvers, together with dozing a tire down a slim path right into a purpose zone, sliding a pipe alongside a rope utilizing solely the dozer’s blade, a grading phase, a bell-ringing process that examined blade accuracy, and a ripper placement.

Different Operator Awards

The next awards had been additionally introduced on the North American semifinals:

(The checklist gives their names, corporations they work for and the Cat vendor they represented.)

Jap Area

  • Second place – Alex Blanchet, Maxi Paysage, representing Toromont
  • Third place – Robert Donnellan, C.A.C. Industries, representing H.O. Penn
  • Over-the-High Problem winner – Brian Hayden, Hayden Excavating and Welding Inc., representing Milton
  • Metropolis Streets Problem winner – Frank Gross, Ripa & Associates, representing Ring Energy
  • Load ‘N Loader Problem winner – Robert Donnellan, C.A.C. Industries, representing H.O. Penn
  • Centennial Push Problem winner – Josh Blanton, Roadbuilders Inc., representing Gregory Poole

Western Area

  • Second place – Cwentin Clifton, Elite Development + Growth, representing Western States
  • Third place – Keith Steed, Native Solar Development, representing Wagner
  • Over-the-High Problem winner – Justin Barclay, B&W Providers, representing Tractor & Tools
  • Metropolis Streets Problem winner – Jeremey Bordelon, Durr Heavy Development, representing Louisiana Cat
  • Load ‘N Loader Problem winner – Troy Lea, Lea’s Demolition, representing Holt of California
  • Centennial Push Problem winner – Jeremy Bordelon, Durr Heavy Development, representing Louisiana Cat