Page 10 - JanFeb2022 Vol 39 No 6

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS By Lisa Hood Skinner
Equipment Rodeo

It’s all about bragging rights for a year. steer, backhoe, knuckleboom,
Always a favorite (and highly Gradall, wheel loader and auto
competitive) Annual Conference event, refuse truck, the Equipment
the Equipment Rodeo once again Rodeo was held on a well-
provided an outstanding showcase for our designed Mud Island course
state’s operators to demonstrate their skills carefully maximizing usable
on multiple pieces of machinery. space. Approximately 65 operators
These Public Works professionals make took part in this year’s rodeo.
it look so easy. In fact, the average person Rodeo participants practiced
or bystander probably doesn’t have a clue on the machinery in the morning
about the skill sets needed to maneuver before a barbeque provided
those massive machines. Since each brand by Team Waste. Bill Yearwood
and model of heavy machinery may (retired Public Works Director
have different features and consoles, the for the city of Bartlett) provided excellent each cart to its target area. If an operator
controls are varied and not all in the same music before and during the meal. emptied and returned all three carts
place. Operators were tested on time and perfectly, another competitor could still
Additionally, not every city owns skill. For example, with the auto refuse move ahead with a faster time.
enough equipment for their daily tasks to truck event, competitors proceeded to Small cash prizes, cowboy-style hard
have participants in each event category. the first trash cart, set the parking brake, hats and custom belt buckles (sponsored
Providing enough equipment to host the and picked up the cart, demonstrated by Thompson Machinery Products) were
statewide competition can be a challenge dumping the empty container before awarded to the top three winners in each
for cities hosting the Annual Conference, returning the cart to the target area. After category and to the top three overall
but Collierville and Memphis were up to two more stops, the truck returned to the winners. The city with the most winners
the task with key equipment provided by a starting line position. Points were lost for also received special recognition. The
number of other equipment companies. not emptying the cart, or for hitting cones City of Alcoa proudly accepted the team
Featuring competitions with the skid along the course, or for not returning trophy this year.

1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd
In the OVERALL COMPETITION, first place went to Jim Merriman, Alcoa; second In the SKID STEER COMPETITION, first place went to Jim Merriman, Alcoa;
place went to Cody Baker, Metro Nashville; and third place to James Edwards, second place went to Tim Merriman, Alcoa; and third place to Buster Payne,
Knoxville. Alcoa.

1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd

In the BACKHOE COMPETITION first place went to Jim Merriman, Alcoa; second In the WHEEL LOADER COMPETITION, first place went to Johnny Garner,
place went to Charles Maharrey, Collierville; and third place to Craig Dunavan, Memphis; second place went to Jim Merriman, Alcoa; third place to Issac
Memphis. Ogle, Knoxville.
10 TPW January/February 2022