Caterpillar

Caterpillar, often abbreviated as CAT, is another well-known manufacturer of heavy equipment for the construction, mining, and agricultural segments. The founder of what would become Caterpillar was Benjamin Holt, and the company’s earliest name was Holt Manufacturing Company. Holt built his first combine harvester in 1886, followed by a steam-powered tractor in 1899. By 1904, Holt had pioneered the steam-powered track-drive tractor, setting the stage for the innovations and powerful equipment that Caterpillar would be known for. In fact, the track-drive would become indispensable during World War I. In 1925, Holt Manufacturing would merge with C.L. Best Gas Tractor Company to form what we now know as Caterpillar.

Through the years, Caterpillar has purchased many other well-known brands including Bucyrus, ASV (which they later sold to Terex), Lovat, Blount’s forestry division, and Traxson (later known as Traxcavator).

Caterpillar manufactures skid steer loaders, multi-terrain loaders, excavators, forklifts, backhoes, compactors, wheel loaders, crawler loaders, crawler tractors, loader backhoes, and much, much more. Caterpillar equipment, and the brands that belong to them, can be found primarily in mining, construction, road maintenance, forestry, and military applications.