After numerous attempts to qualify for the International Utility Locate Rodeo, John Goforth finally made it with the help of a Ditch Witch 950R, the same electronic locator he uses on the job as a water operator for Caroline County Utilities in Virginia.

The International Utility Locate Rodeo is an annual event that brings together the top utility locators from around the country for a series of competitions that test each contestant's ability to locate utilities quickly and accurately. The 2007 competition in which Goforth competed was held August 4 on the campus of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, and was hosted by the Utilities Protection Center of Georgia and the National Utility Locate Contracts Association. Considered by many to be the Olympics of the locate industry, the Locate Rodeo had 86 locate technicians from 21 states competing in four divisions gas, water, power, and telecommunications plus a hair-raising bonus round called "Locate From Hell."

To qualify for the Atlanta games, Goforth had to first win his state competition, which is conducted each May by the Virginia chapter of the American Water Works Association. He had tried several times before, each time placing in the top three. Goforth finally brought home the gold in the "Buried Treasure" event. Goforth explains the rules of the event this way: "There was a buried tracer wire exposed on one end. Each string had a different color hub. You had to locate the buried wire and mark it with flags. Then you had to coordinate each color string with each measurement. And you only had five minutes to do this.

"We were judged by both overall accuracy and the amount of time it takes. It's not just a speed event."

At the international competition in Atlanta, Goforth finished a respectable sixth out of 16 contestants in the water division, wielding his trusty Ditch Witch 950R. The rules were a bit different than the Virginia "Buried Treasure" event. Competitors had twelve minutes to review a utility map of the locate area, unpack and connect the locator, mark and record measurements on a chart, totally pack the locator back in the case, and return all marking chips to the judge.

The "Locate From Hell" competition was a different animal altogether. Contestants were not allowed to use their own equipment and had only three minutes to locate, measure and mark numerous targets. "They gave us a grid map of all of these buildings. You didn't know what you were locating: gas, water, electric, or what," says Goforth. "I probably would have done better with my [Ditch Witch 950R]."

Goforth says he has been a big fan of Ditch Witch equipment for about 12 years, first being exposed to the company's legendary trenching machines. When he became a water operator, he tried other electronic locators but eventually settled on the 950R. "[The 950R] is something I'm real comfortable with," he says. "It's user-friendly, the battery seems to stay charged for a long time, and it's durable. Plus, you get so many different options on it, as far as your frequencies. It's just a great machine that's never let me down."

With three modes and more than 20 frequencies, the 950R/T (receiver/transmitter) system is designed to help the operator quickly locate buried telephone, CATV, power, gas and water lines with a tracer wire. The 950R detects signals generated by 31 kHz (CATV) and 50/60 Hz power, as well as re-radiated radio frequencies. The lightweight 950R is balanced for easy handling, and it features an enhanced backlit LCD that offers optimal visibility in low-light conditions.

Goforth hopes to return to this summer's International Utility Locate Rodeo. But first he'll have to defend his state title in Newport News, Virginia, this May. Win or lose, he'll have the Ditch Witch 950R in hand.

The Ditch Witch organization specializes in the design and manufacture of high-quality underground construction equipment. The company is a one-stop source for trenchers, vibratory plows, pneumatic piercing tools, backhoes, electronic guidance and locating tools, horizontal directional drilling systems, drill pipe, downhole tools, vacuum excavation systems, excavator-tool carriers, mini skid steers, and Zahn family of trenchers.

All of these products are recognized around the world for their advanced design, rugged construction, long-term durability, ease of use, and reliability. This product line represents the most complete range of equipment for installing utilities underground.

The Ditch Witch name is one you can trust for your equipment and financial needs. Ditch Witch Financial Services (DWFS) is a full-service provider, offering a wide variety of finance and lease options to meet your individual requirements.

For more information, please call 1-800-654-6481 or visit ditchwitch.com.