Four Place In Equipment, Mechanic, and Truck Road-E-O

Two Advance to International Road-E-O

On May 11, 2016, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Georgia Chapter held its annual Equipment, Mechanic, and Truck Road-E-O at the Southern Pines Ag and Expo Center in Dublin, Georgia. This chapter event was held to qualify competitors for the SWANA International Road-E-O to be held at the same location on September 3rd. The equipment, mechanic, and truck Road-E-Os are just one way that SWANA tries to give back to and recognizes the outstanding personnel in the solid waste management industry.

Four employees of the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority participated and placed in the May event which qualified competitors from both the private and public sectors. Competitions were held for automated side- loader, front load, rear load, roll-off, and tractor trailer under the truck categories; dozer, articulated dump truck (ADT), rubber-tired loader, and track hoe in the equipment categories; and mechanics. Competitors skills were tested as they maneuvered through challenging courses.

In the Truck Competition category McKenny Pittman placed 2nd in the Front Loader event. In the Equipment Competition category Eddie Ashe placed 3rd in the Dozer event. Josh Kruse placed 3rd in the Off Road Truck event and in the Rubber Tire Loader event. Marlon Cole placed 1st in the Track Hoe event, and was the top overall finisher in the equipment category earning him the title of “Top Gun”. Pittman and Cole will move on to compete in the International Road-E-O next month. Learn more about this event here: http://www.gaswana.org/road-e-o.html

Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority employee, Marlon Cole, placed 1st in the Track Hoe event during the Road-E-O competition in Dublin, Georgia this May. His top scores in the Equipment competition category earned him the title of “Top Gun” and a spot at the International Road-E-O event next month.

McKenny Pittman, who represented the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority at the Road-E-O in May, placed 2nd in the Front Loader event which is part of the Truck competition. Pittman will move on to compete in the International Road-E-O event in September.

Josh Kruse, a Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority employee, participated in the Equipment category of the Road-E-O in May which was held in Dublin, Georgia. Josh Kruse placed 3rd in the Off Road Truck event, and in the Rubber Tire Loader event.

Joel Scott, SWANA Georgia Chapter Treasurer, recognizes Eddie Ashe at the Road-E-O competition in Dublin, Georgia this May. Ashe, an employee of the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority, placed 3rd in the Dozer event which is part of the Equipment competition.

Local Drivers Score at International Road-E-O

Eddie Ashe maneuvers the dozer through the equipment obstacle course at the 2011 International SWANA Road-E-O.

A Road-E-O judge measures the distance between the Front Loader and the rail to determine the accuracy of driver Chad Shook during the competition.

Road-E-O judges prepare to measure the parking accuracy of driver Jeremy Flood during the international competition in Dublin, GA.

Marlon Cole guides a barrel through part of the obstacle course for the Rubber Tired Loader as Road-E-O judges look on.

DALTON, GA – Four members of the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority staff participated in, and one took top honors, at the Solid Waste Association of North America’s International Road-E-O for landfill equipment and truck operators.  On September 3rd, solid waste professionals from all across North America arrived at the Southern Pine Ag & Expo Center in Dublin, GA to prove their skills in special obstacle courses, and test their knowledge with written tests.  Each participant had to prequalify at the state level Road-E-O before being invited to the international level.  Competition at the 2011 SWANA International Road-E-O was described as “intense” by the Road-E-O judges as 107 of the solid waste industry’s best drivers, mechanics, and operators competed for the best scores in the nation.

The competition was divided into two major categories highlighting specific types of equipment. The Equipment and Mechanic Competition showcases skills with the Dozer, ADT Articulated Dump Truck, Rubber Tired Loader, Compactor, and general Mechanics.  While the Truck Competition tested the Rear Loader, Front Loader, Side Loader, Roll-Off, and Tractor Trailer.  The top three finishers in each category took home trophies and bragging rights as the best-of-the-best in the business.  “Top Gun” awards were made to the top finishers in the truck and equipment competitions.

Local participants included Marlon Cole - Rubber Tired Loader, Eddie Ashe - Dozer, Chad Shook – Front Loader, and Jeremy Flood – Roll-Off.  Each first participated in the Georgia SWANA Road-E-O in May placing in the top two of their respective categories, while Ashe also placed first overall in the Equipment Competition.  At the International SWANA they participated in the same categories pitting their skills against drivers from as far away as the state of Oregon.  Front Loader driver, Chad Shook, had an excellent course time but did not place in the top three.  Roll-Off driver, Jeremy Flood, placed sixth overall with an impressive course time as well.  Road-E-O Dozer operator, Eddie Ashe, placed third overall receiving a trophy.  The competition in the dozer category was so close that the course time had to be used as a tiebreaker.  Rubber Tired Loader operator, Marlon Cole, also received a trophy after placing first overall with a perfect obstacle course score.  High scores on the obstacle course and written test earned him the title of “Top Gun” in the Equipment and Mechanic Competition.

Georgia and the 2011 SWANA International Road-E-O were rewarded with performances from the best-of-the-best drivers, mechanics and operators in the solid waste industry.  The Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority is proud to have some of the best in the country on board.