Regular competitions take place all around the world each year, which competitors and visitors alike get incredibly excited about.

The farming and construction world hosts a diverse range of competitions and we’ve taken a look at some of the popular events individuals in the sector take part in.

World Crane Championships

The World Crane Championships are hosted by HIAB Cranes biannually. The first World Crane Championships were held in 2015, launching a new tradition in the industry. The championships give crane operators from all around the world the chance to showcase their skills and measure their abilities against their peers. Tasks include moving water cans along a predefined path in the shortest amount of time possible

This year, the finalists came from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Spain, the United Kingdom and Slovenia.

The winner, Andreas Öhman was presented with a €5,000 travel cheque and a €20,000 voucher towards the cost of a new HIAB loader crane. The next World Crane Championships will take place in Hannover, Germany in 2020.

APF Exhibition

The APF Exhibition is the UK’s largest forestry, woodland, arboricultural, fencing and biofuel exhibition. The bi-annual exhibition attracts over 300 exhibitors and 22,000 visitors, particularly those in the farming industry who are interested in machines and equipment designed for small woodlands.

Activities that spectators can watch on the day include wood carving, pole climbing and vehicle demonstrations. Visitors can also get involved in basket weaving and woodland crafts. The next APF exhibition is expected to be in 2020.

National Excavator Operator Competition

The National Excavator Operator Competition was established 17 years ago and is held at Mansfield Park in Feilding. The competition is a chance to highlight the skills involved in operating heavy machinery.

Championship Tractor Pull

Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky, becomes the home of the Championship Tractor Pull from 13 to 16 February in 2019. The invitation-only event involves some of America’s best tractor drivers and their machines competing in five exciting performances. The drivers compete for the privilege to win the nationally-recognised tractor pull and bring home a share of more than $200,000 in prize money.

Combine Demolition Derby

Another agricultural derby from America, this competition takes place every year in the rural town of Lind, Washington. Combine harvesters are used in the competition where competitors attempt to use the header to pop other vehicle's tyres, rupture their drive belts, or tear off their header. The competitions can end in ties if the only remaining machines become inextricably tangled together. During the 1999 event in Lind, one competitor suffered a broken leg after falling from his combine. This event led to more rules being enforced, including a prohibition on concrete filled headers.

National Ploughing Championships

The National Ploughing Championships take place every year in Ireland. The first inter-county ploughing contest took place in 1931 because of an argument between two friends, Denis Allen of Gorey, County Wexford, and JJ Bergin of Athy, County Kildare. Each argued that their respective counties had the best ploughmen, this resulted in a competition taking place. On Monday 16 February 1931, the first National Ploughing contest took place in Mr. W.K. Hosie’s field at Coursetown in Athy.

The National Championships is now no longer just for ploughing or machinery enthusiasts, the modern event now features a Tented Trade Village, Food Fair, Craft Village, Livestock, Forestry, Education, Lifestyle, Motor Show, Financial Services, Bio Energy and Agri Service.

What about you?

Fancy launching a bid to become the next world champion in your industry? Or maybe you’re simply looking to fund the machinery and equipment needed to grow your business. Either way, we offer a range of specialist construction and agriculture finance solutions to help you develop into a heavyweight. View our asset finance products.

23 November 2018