We all have favorites when it comes to machinery. Whether the topic is our trucks, our household appliances, or our excavating equipment – talking about, promoting or proving loyalty to a brand is part and parcel of the human experience.

Is one brand better than another for any particular excavation or job site?

I’ll let you be the judge.

Over the coming weeks I’ll add some information and facts about some of the most popular excavation equipment brands. Today, I have CAT equipment on my mind…

Caterpillar Incorporated (recognized by all for their distinctive yellow and black logo) this corporation produces a wide range of heavy equipment for all types of jobs, including the well trusted Caterpillar bulldozer. CAT has one of the strongest brands in excavation and other heavy equipment.

CAT is a worldwide recognized brand for being the largest manufacturer of construction and excavating equipment as well as diesel and natural gas engines to power heavy machines. Also known for industrial gas turbines.

Caterpillar Incorporated is a USA based corporation with a head office in Peoria, Illinois. Caterpillar Inc. dates back to the late 19th century, when Benjamin Holt and Daniel Best were working on ways to use steam tractors for farm work. Up until 1925 the Holts worked on creating track tractors and gasoline powered engines.

Once Best and Holt merged the industry took off. At the end of World War 2 the company grew at an enormous rate and launched the first venture outside of the USA in 1950. This was the beginning of CAT as we now know it – a massive, lucrative corporation. This was only the beginning for CAT as today over 50% of CAT’s sales are to customers overseas.

CAT products are sold in nearly 200 countries today. The company has a worldwide network with 63 dealers in the United States and over 150 in other countries. Their equipment and components are manufactured in 42 plants in the United States as well as 58 plants in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, and others.

CAT equipment is used on farms large and small, as well as construction sites, excavation jobs, road work, forestry, material handling and more. Their product line ranges from track-tractors to hydraulic excavators, backhoes to motor graders, off-road trucks to wheel loaders, regular tractors to diesel and gas engines, and finally, gas turbines.