Skills Challenge shows the best of the best

Joe Thomas, a foreman with masonry subcontractor Knowlton & Sons in Kingsley, PA, won the JLG-sponsored Telehandler Skills Challenge at the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas in late January.

Thomas (pictured) operated a Gradall G6-42P, 6,000-pound rear pivot steer machine, and managed a score of 90. Each operator began with 100 points, with points deducted for bumps to cones on the course, misplacement of load materials, brushed scaffolding or missed fork placements. Contestants were given a choice of Gradall, SkyTrak, JLG or Lull forward reach machines.

Did he see himself as the Tiger Woods of telehandler operating? “Yes, I believe I am,” he laughed. His reward for the victory was a 42-inch plasma screen and a 2.5 kW Honda generator.