The compact construction range from Caterpillar is set to debut on television’s main stage with the season launch of popular reality show ‘KingGee Jack Of All Trades’ in early January. Westrac are one of the dealers of Caterpillar.
Pitting four contestants head to head in a series of building and landscaping challenges and tasks over eight fast paced episodes at a purpose built house at Silkwood Mt Cotton in Queensland, KingGee Jack Of All Trades will see the winner crowned Australia’s best tradie and the four bedroom house auctioned with proceeds going to charity.
As major sponsor, Caterpillar equipment is cast in a starring role with a range of compact machines to be used by the contestants, as well as providing the major home viewers prize - a showstopping 226B2 skid steer loader or 301.8C mini excavator from the compact construction equipment range.
Launching on Channel 9 nationally with a half hour show on January during the one day international cricket, KingGee Jack Of All Trades will see the four finalists test their skills with a range of home handyman challenges including a series of tasks using the latest Cat compact machines.
A weekly prize of a Cat Safety pack (gloves, glasses, hard hat, and vest) will also be awarded to a viewer in each state who enters by simply accessing the website and registering for the competition.
The programme is a showcase of the Caterpillar compact range and will include a 247B2 multi terrain loader (MTL), 246C skid steer loader (SSL) and 303C CR mini excavator.
The four competing tradies will put each machine through its paces in a series of on-site challenges acknowledging the ease of use of the Cat machines and identifying the fastest and safest operator.
The challenges will see a selection of Cat Work Tools engaged to build fences, dig trenches, carry loads and maneuver through obstacle courses.
Although being piloted by novices, the Cat compact machines will make it easy with a roll call of features ensuring even a first time operator looks like an expert.
Both the 247B2 MTL and 246C SSL loaders feature pilot operated joysticks and cabs with reliable visibility as well as both a hand and foot throttle, which allows tradies to tailor the machine’s performance to the task at hand.
The suspended undercarriage on the 247B2 multi terrain delivers stability and low ground pressure in addition to high levels of traction, which helped during the tough obstacle course.
The Caterpillar anti-stall system, which is fitted to both the 246C and 247B2 loaders, ensures the performance of the machine to be maintained across a variety of ground conditions while also allowing the operator to focus on the task at hand.
The 303C CR is a compact radius mini excavator that will be ideal for the tradies’ trenching and excavating tasks on the building site.
After some simple direction from the Cat Specialist, the tradies star will shine as they quickly become familiar with the pilot operated joystick controls delivering precise movement on all machines.
Shooting is also underway for a new Caterpillar commercial to feature during KingGee Jack of All Trades, and the Caterpillar brand will be on full display in show promotions and in magazine, radio and press ads.
