SPOA to host plant operator challenge in Perthshire

THE Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) is pressing ahead with plans to host a Scottish operator competition at Errol Airfield, Perthshire on Saturday July 22.

The organisation was due to sponsor the Scottish heat of the UK Plant Operator of The Year 2023 competition on that date, but expressed its disappointment to learn of the cancellation of the event.

The SPOA added that its commitment still stands and, without any funding from the previous organisers, will be hosting the Scottish competition, now known as the Scottish Plant Operator Challenge.

To date, around 40 plant operators have signed up to compete from as far afield as Shetland. There is still time to enter with the closing date set for 20^th July at 5pm.

The SPOA is now calling on members to spread the word and encourage others to enter the challenge.

The association revealed it is grateful to Morris Leslie of Morris Leslie Plant Hire for offering to host the event free of charge at his Errol Airfield site on the same day as his famous

“We continue to be grateful to Morris Leslie Plant Hire, Blackwood Plant Hire, Balgownie, JCB and Kubota for supporting the SPOA to take over the organisation of the event, following its cancellation by the organiser,” the SPOA said. “The SPOA would like to reassure all entrants and everyone involved that the SPOA will do everything in its power to make the event a success.”

Competitors will complete six challenges to test skill, speed, safety, adaptability, approach, flair and general operator basics:

1. Mini Excavator (sponsored by Kubota) will test attention to detail, skill and speed.
2. Mini Excavator (sponsored by Balgownie) will test the operator’s approach and push them to think ahead.
3. Backhoe Loader (sponsored by JCB) will see operators use both ends of a 3CX to navigate a challenging course.
4. 14t Excavator (sponsored by Blackwood Plant Hire) will test operator patience and skill to the limit.
5. 20t Excavator (sponsored by Morris Leslie) will see operators challenged to make the grade!
6. Loading the Truck (sponsored by Tenstar) will challenge operators to load a truck with material safely and evenly distributed in as fast a time as possible.