Both Caterpillar and Bobcat have carved a niche for themselves in manufacturing heavy duty machinery especially targeted towards the landscaping and heavy mining industries. Their machinery is used for a vast range of applications and uses and both brands are known for their longevity, durability and efficiency.

Caterpillar range of products

Caterpillar manufactures a whole range of products ranging from heavy duty hydraulic excavators to even loaders. These products are designed to ensure superior performance and long shelf life. Some of the predominant industries that use such heavy duty Caterpillar equipment include the quarry sector, construction that requires heavy duty activity as well as the mining industry.

Service and parts from Caterpillar

Caterpillar has many distributors who provide ready service of all equipment purchased from them. Irrespective of the place where the original equipment may have been purchased from, these distributors repair and service all parts of such equipment. In addition, these distributors also stock a steady inventory of parts belonging to Caterpillar brand. Several departments, each with specialized parts assigned to them can readily help in replacing damaged parts of existing machinery.

Bobcat brand’s products

Bobcat is another pioneer in creating cutting-edge and highly sophisticated skid steer loading equipment. While the original parts of Bobcat skid steers are always in demand by the landscaping and construction industries, the used parts are also in demand for their cost-effectiveness. There are many premier distributors who stock such used parts from Bobcat. Right from regular farm work to loading trucks these skid steers can perform the job with ease. Besides, for people who cannot afford original unused Bobcat equipment, these used parts are a good bargain. The distributors of such used parts ensure to regularly check for electrical, mechanical as well as hydraulic inefficiencies so that all used parts are well worth their value.

How to select a distributor of used parts

If you wish to purchase used skid steers from Bobcat then you need to approach the right distributor for this. Always select a distributor that has a well-stocked inventory. Compare prices to see that you are getting a good deal. In addition, the sales staff and personnel should be courteous and know about used parts and Bobcat brand. In addition, the distributor should also be ready to help you with parts in case they are not in stock. They should also have tie-ups with other brands so that you have more options to choose from.

Caterpillar Incorporated, also known as CAT is a United States based corporation that is based in Peoria, Illinois. The company commonly known as CAT is known around the world as the largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines.

Well known and famous for their products that feature the Caterpillar track and distinctive yellow paint, CAT produces a wide range of Heavy Caterpillar Equipment for all types of jobs, including the very popular Caterpillar D9 bulldozer.

History
The story of CAT dates back to the late 19th century, when Daniel Best and Benjamin Holt were experimenting with different ways to fulfill the promise that Caterpillar tractors held for farm work. Prior to 1925, the Holt family had pioneered track tractors and gasoline powered engines. After the companies of Best and Holt were merged, the company went through several changes then at the end of World War 2, they began to grow at a very fast pace, launching the first venture outside of the country in 1950, which marked the beginning of CAT development into a big corporation.

CAT equipment ranges from track type tractors to hydraulic excavators, backhoes, motor graders, off road trucks, wheel loaders, tractors, diesel and gas engines, and gas turbines. Caterpillar construction equipment is used in construction, excavation, building roads, mining, energy, forestry, transportation, and material handling companies.

Sales
Over half of CAT’s sales are to customers in overseas areas. CAT products are sold in almost 200 different countries. The company has a worldwide network of over 200 dealers - 63 in the United States and over 150 in other countries. Caterpillar equipment and components are manufactured in 42 plants in the United States and 58 plants in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, England, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, and several other countries.

Labor
CAT almost went down in the early 1980s due to the massive union strikes and a down turn in product demand. At the time, several news reports indicated that products were piling up so high in facilities that temporary workers hired to work the lines could barely get to their stations to perform their jobs.

In the 1990s, CAT suffered yet another long strike in which the company hired what it deemed to be permanent replacements for union workers that were on strike. During both strikes, jack rocks were placed in the home entrances of many of CATs top executives and employees, puncturing the tires of their vehicles and making things worse for the company.

Not long after the strike of the 1990s ended and the economy started to get back up again, CAT adopted the “6 Sigma” quality management program, to help reduce costs and inventory and identify and correct the defects in processes and products

Construction equipment should be durable and reliable to withstand challenges in any part of a project. Challenges could include weather conditions, heavy loads, time of use, and other demands in the construction industry. Heavy machinery equipment are known to be Godzilla’s in the field of construction.

But for a construction company, it is enough for machinery equipment to accomplish a task? The answer would be, “NO”. These heavy machines should accomplish odds and be present for a longer period of time for a company to earn a good return of investment. There are machinery equipment that do not last for long and are considered a waste of investment. This is the reason why buyers should consider purchasing reliable and durable machines.

These machines are not easily found and transported. Most of these machinery equipment are imported from countries known to be producers of heavy equipment. Among these countries are from Asia including China and Taiwan. Heavy equipment imported from these countries are widely used in constructions all over the world. There are also western countries manufacturing machinery equipment that are imported on several countries through out the globe.

Among the major users of heavy machinery equipment are the drilling companies. The drilling industry is in great demand for machines that can withstand the test of nature. Well known company such as Caterpillar equipment is among the great contributors of the success of the industry. They are using wide collections of heavy machinery including backhoes, compactor, crane, dozer, loader, and several other heavy machines.

Machinery equipment are also widely used in mining and farming. These activities require heavy machinery to accomplish tasks. Mining is a fast growing industry and have employed millions of workers around the world. Most employees of mining companies are heavy machinery operators who are very skillful in controlling, driving, and using these monstrous size machines.

Thinking of buying used backhoes? It could be that you’re trying to save some money or that its need may not be that vital to warrant a new equipment. However, buying a used one doesn’t really have to mean that you need to buy the first one that you can lay your eyes on. You still have to consider their quality and even the service that can be offered by the supplier.

If you’re thinking of purchasing used Caterpillar equipment or backhoe, you can take note of the following tips:

1. Check the essential parts of the Caterpillar equipment. Used backhoes should still consist of three parts. These include the tractor, loader, and the bucket, which can be found at the back end of the tractor. If one of them is missing or not functioning properly, ask the supplier if they can provide the part and how much it may possibly cost you. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to inquire if you can get the missing part for free.

2. Conduct an inspection first before you buy used backhoes. Consumers tend to overlook the importance of having a thorough inspection. It doesn’t mean that it’s Caterpillar equipment it’s not prone to wear and tear. In the same way, it doesn’t mean that when the supplier says they’re still in good working condition, the used backhoes are. Just to make sure that you’re still making a good investment on your purchase”it’s still your money anyway”check the equipment yourself. Take note of its hydraulics as well as mechanical and electrical issues. As much as possible, the parts should not be close to deterioration; otherwise, you could save on the purchase but spend a lot on the maintenance costs.

3. Bring an expert with you. This is necessary when you don’t know how to inspect a used backhoe yourself. You may want to bring someone who knows Caterpillar equipment too well. Most definitely, the supplier can provide you with one, but to avoid any biases, you can select your own. In the end, though, the inspector can only provide you with recommendations, and the final decision rests upon you. Make sure that you can take note of everything that he’s going to say.

4. Make sure that you can expect good customer support. If there’s one thing that a used backhoe is prone too, it would be downtime, and with that, you absolutely need excellent customer support. Make sure that the supplier can extend the right kind of assistance to you. It should be able to give you the necessary parts as well as the overhaul just in case the entire Caterpillar equipment breaks down.

This also means that you should also know the company’s policies when it comes to maintenance. How do they manage Caterpillar equipment breakdown? How long does it take for them to repair the used backhoe? How much would you spend for the maintenance? Can they offer discounts for a period of time?

There are two reasons why buying construction equipment that are second hand are cheaper. The first is that construction equipments once purchased and driven off a lot immediately depreciate. Annually, these construction equipments lose about 20% in value making it easy for you to buy a second hand construction equipment almost at half the original price. Another reason is that it is hard buying construction equipment and pay the full payment up front. By acquiring the services of a financial institution such as a bank, a person can pay off the loan through monthly installments. Unfortunately, some people have failed to honor that commitment which leaves the financial institutions no choice but to have the construction equipment repossessed.

For the bank to avoid storing the many construction equipments that have been repossessed and make up for the lost money, these construction equipments are auctioned off immediately which make it easy for some lucky people to buy fairly new construction equipments and prevent being taken advantage of by construction equipment dealers. Before buying construction equipment, it is best to think about the kind of construction equipment you are willing to spend for and the options that come with it. By doing some research and checking out various dealers, you will be able to pick the right construction equipment and get the best deal.

You should also check the history of the used construction equipment. This can be checked by going online and typing in the vehicle identification number or VIN. This can help verify the accidents the construction equipment has been in, if the construction equipment was reported stolen and the previous owner of the vehicle. It can also check if the mileage was rolled back. Most construction equipments have a maintenance record. The buyer must ask the dealer to see it and if it is not available, then you should contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done.

The construction equipment should also be test driven on the road at various conditions and checked by a trusted and reputable mechanic just to be safe that the construction equipment you will buy is road worthy.

Most important of all, you should ask about the warranty. If there are some things not covered by it, it is best to get a service contract to be safe. Take note, there are some slight differences between a new construction equipment and used construction equipment. If you are on the go of buying used construction equipment, it is best to get it from a professional dealer or a reliable source. Such people can guide you when it comes to choosing the right construction equipment to buy. These people have their very own websites for you to surf and look into. You can even asked their assistance when you want to.

So when you decide to purchase used construction equipment some of them are caterpillar equipment, Case equipment, Volvo equipment or your friend, relative or colleague, then hop on and find a professional dealer to help you with. Nothing beats of losing money because of making a wrong decision when purchasing a necessity like a construction equipment.

The Bobcat equipment is another trade name that has become the same as a miniature front loader and backhoe. They often can be transported by means of a 1 ½ ton trailer and a pickup truck from one location to another. They are usually tracked like a Cummins or a Caterpillar dozer or wheeled like a tractor loader but only much smaller. They are most suited to landscaping in very close and tight quarters where earth has to be dug. They can be outfitted with a dozer blade, a scoop loader, a backhoe or a rock and cement drill; this is due to their size which is small but extremely effective.

The Bobcat is a brand or model of the miniaturized all purpose construction, landscape and agriculture tractor. There are many types the Bobcat T200 Farm Tractor is a track vehicle with a scoop loader and the 863 Farm Tractor is a wheeled scoop loader. The 10,000 Bobcat Skid Steer Loader Tractor has a scoop loader that has a unique extension boom. This makes the larger scoop able to dig a wider trench than some of the standard backhoes mounted on standard loader backhoe machines. It is able to extend deeper and dig a wider trench than a normal scoop loader. This has been a major reason for the standard double featured loader and now provides the contractor with a cheaper hardier piece of equipment.
Other equipment make the Bobcat a viable piece of equipment in forestry operations. It has three sizes of a root grapple which is a cage attachment useful in digging up tree roots and hauling cut tree logs. Bobcat offers a root grapple of 48”, 60” and 80” in length. They also offer a 34” tree spade for digging out trees or replanting them.

The Bobcat 371 Skidsteer can be used to help load and stack skid mounted supplies in storehouses. It has a number of attachments; such as a fork lift for skid loading, a loader bucket, a extendible backhoe and a blade for the removal of ice and snow.

The Bobcat 322 Farm Tractor Excavator is another specialized model which can dig a 8 foot deep trench for plumbing or landscape operations. Mounted low to the ground with rubber tracks this machine can negotiate rough terrain and get close into buildings.

Last the Bobcat has a 61” zero turn lawn mower machine which you can use to maintain the new landscape that the other models and attachments helped you create. Bobcat is an all source depot of agricultural, construction, forestry and landscaping tools and vehicles. Where ever the need exists for close work near buildings, gardens and industrial parks you can be sure that there is a specialized Bobcat to handle your needs.

In the 1950s, Caterpillar equipment added many new product lines aimed specifically at the construction side of its business interests.Rubber-tired self-propelled scrapers were introduced, along with track-type loaders in the early 1950s.

By 1959, the company released its first rubber-tired front-end loader, the model 944A Traxcavator. The loader was first unveiled to the companys board of directors as the T101, at a special demonstration at its Phoenix Proving Ground in February 1956.

Though not a large machine, its standard bucket capacity of 2 cubic yards put it right in contention with a host of similar-sized machines from other construction equipment manufacturers.

The unit’s four- wheel-drive drivetrain, rigid frame and rear steering wheels were design features well accepted in the industry.

Caterpillar was looking for the perfect sized wheel loader design to get its latest product line off to a good sales start, and found it in the 944A.

But the model 944A was just the tip of the iceberg as far as Caterpillar was concerned. In 1960, the company introduced two more rigid frame wheel loaders to keep the 944A company.

The model 922A was slightly smaller, carrying a 1 1/4-cubic-yard bucket. The other model, the 966A was larger than the 944A. It was equipped with a 2 3/4-cubic-yard bucket. All three of these loaders were sized for general contracting work. Big quarry and mining wheel loaders they were not.

But Caterpillar was taking a cautious approach to this new market. The limited number of model types fielded in the first few years allowed the company time to gain market share.

The secret behind running a successful construction business heavily lies on using the best construction equipment. Realizing this truth, the world’s best construction companies possess high-class construction equipment. Construction equipment is the best ally that a company can depend on. This equipment facilitates and provides the best assistance when working against a tight deadline. Some common construction equipment needed for any construction business includes bulldozers, wheel loaders, backhoes, pavers, excavators, cranes, and tractors, rollers, forklifts, trucks, generators, pressure washers, welders and air compressors.

Well-known companies such as John Deere equipment, Volvo equipment, Caterpillar equipment, New Holland equipment, Bell equipment, Komatsu equipment, Bobcat equipment, Terex equipment, Kawasaki equipment, Hyundai equipment and International Harvester manufacture construction equipment. They are the most popular and well known construction equipment manufacturers. These companies are known for making high quality construction equipment. Parts for construction equipment are as vital as the equipment themselves. Any breakdowns during work will seriously affect the work schedules.

Stocking vital equipment parts in adequate numbers will help in executing the projects on time. New parts or reconditioned parts are important equipment and should be in stock, as sourcing them at the time of break down would prove difficult and expensive. Many companies offer genuine high quality parts. Often they guarantee for high performance and long life. Keeping enough stock in their warehouse to meet any demand will be beneficial. Normally, most reputed manufactures have remanufacturing programs that takes failed components, fixes them, tests them, and then sells them as used parts.

Most of these parts will be like new ones and adhere to original specifications. This is a cost saving method for buyers without compromising the quality and contributing to environmental protection by reducing waste. Major construction equipment manufacturers have distribution networks that help buyers to get the parts as and when possible without wasting time which is crucial for their business. Online support systems help them in locating and transferring the parts which are in great demand in one place but lying idle in another place without any buyers.

A bulldozer is a large and powerful crawler tractor that is usually equipped with a front blade that is used to move large amounts of soil, rubble and rock. A bulldozer can even be used to push equipment such as tractor scrapers. The term bulldozer is typically used to describe the crawler tractor variety of equipment and not the rubber tired variety.

Crawler dozer blades can be found in a variety of styles including:
• Straight Blade or S-Blade – Shorter blade with no curve or side wings that can be used in fine grading applications
• Universal Blade or U-Blade – A tall and very curved blade with large side wings that allow it to push more material
• S-U Blade – A combination blade that is typically shorter with less curvature and will have smaller side wings. Can be found in a quarry setting.
• Angle Blade or A-Blade – This type of blade pivots left or right to allow material to roll off to either side and is used in general applications.
• Powered Angle Tilt Blade or PAT Blade – Has hydraulics cylinders to power the angle or tilt without the operator having to leave the operator seat. This type of blade can be used in general applications.

Crawler dozers can also have attachments on the back called Rippers that come in two different varieties a Single Shank Ripper (SS Ripper) or the Multi-Shank Ripper (MS Ripper). Rippers are used to tear up rock and hard earth breaking it into smaller rubble for easier removal to allow for easier grading.
• Single Shank Rippers (SS Rippers) – Consists of one shank (long claw-like device) preferred for heavy ripping.
• Multi-Shank Rippers (MS Rippers) – Consist of groups of two or more shanks.

Bulldozers can be found on all types of construction sites, mines, heavy industrial factories and even in military applications. Crawler dozers are made by a number of manufacturers including:
• Caterpillar equipment, Komatsu equipment, John Deere equipment.

Headwater Equipment specializes in the sale of new, used and rebuilt crawler dozers as well as the dozer blades, rippers, winches and parts you need to keep your dozer running smoothly.

Buying equipment for your company can be a costly task, especially when you are in the market for a skid steer loader. That is why more and more companies are looking into buying used equipment. If you are looking to buy a used skid steer loader, then you will want to have a simple guide to follow to make sure that you get the best loader for your money.

It can be difficult to find a good quality loader locally and it may become necessary for you to look into other options on where to make your purchase. You can check out the internet for some good used equipment and often times you can get a deal on shipping if you shop at the right places. Some of the best loaders come from such companies as Case equipment, Caterpillar equipment and Bobcat equipment so you may want to check with them first to se if they have any good quality used skid steer loaders for sale.

There are some questions that you should be sure to ask before you make a purchase such as: what are the size limitations. You want to be sure that you can fit the loader where you need it to go. It is important for you to know what the turning radius is as well as the actual dimensions of the loader. You also want to know if the company offers any type of guarantee on the product and if so what it all entails.

You want to ask as many questions as you can and make sure that the dealer is giving you good answers and not skirting around them. This could be a good clue if the dealer is not being honest about the product.

You should also check to see how available replacement parts are for the skid steer loader. You do not want to buy one that parts are obsolete for as that can cause major problems in the event that you need to get a part for it. Some older models may be cheap to purchase but can cost you greatly in the even that it breaks down and you cannot get parts to fix it.

You will want to know exactly what you will be using it for so that you can choose the correct one for specific needs. You will want to know the size of the bucket you will need as well as if you will be doing any demolition work. That is where hydraulic hammers will come in handy. You may also want to use it as a fork lift in a pinch so you will want to look into pallet forks for the loader.

Buying a used skid steer loader can be tricky but if you follow the simple tips in the guide above, you will be sure to get a good, quality loader that will last you a long time without breaking your wallet.