Cat Stimulus Package

For the last 100 years, the U.S. economy has shown a remarkable ability to absorb shocks of all kinds, to recover and to continue to grow. Flexible and efficient markets for labor and capital, an entrepreneurial tradition and a general willingness to tolerate and even embrace technological and economic change all contribute to this resiliency.

Smart corporate initiatives can also provide a potent force for stalling U.S. economic sectors such as construction. For owners of Cat equipment whose once-thriving businesses are now challenged by today’s economic and regulatory climate, Caterpillar Inc. and Cat dealers are ready with a “stimulus package” designed to help owners work through equipment-related concerns. Whether those concerns are do-it-yourself maintenance, affordable fleet expansion, financing, operator training or contract maintenance/repair options, the overall goal of the stimulus package is to help preserve the integrity of the machine-owner’s business.

Caterpillar has recently added on-demand videos available through the Cat Web site and offering maintenance tips for do-it-yourself cost-savings. Live online information also is available now through the Parts-and-Service discussion forum. In addition to those new services, Caterpillar and Cat dealers have packaged proven product support and financial services to help customers in most aspects of machine acquisition, operation and maintenance.

“We have re-aligned resources in order to develop tools and information for our customers and making them available to customers quickly via cat.com/ready,” explains Jerry Green, service operations manager. “For example, we’ve developed a Caterpillar Parts and Service Discussion Forum in which customers can post questions, comments and discuss with others. Recently, there was a great exchange about high copper in engine oil. A customer was able to get the information he needed and implement a relatively inexpensive fix… that’s real value in these tough times.”

A stimulus package, however, can be only as good as the resources that support it. To that end, Cat machine owners can count on the extensive combined resources of Caterpillar and Cat dealers — financial strength, technical expertise and competent people who are ready to address any aspect of an equipment user’s business.

Good Advice…

…at www.cat.com/maintenance-and-support

Given that more machine owners are taking on routine maintenance of their machines to conserve cash, Caterpillar is stimulating good maintenance practices with on-demand videos that provide practical, detailed advice on various procedures — whether proper replacement of air filters, identifying hose-abrasion points, battery maintenance or preventing hydraulic-system contamination.

Advice is only as good as the advisor, so Caterpillar chose Jeff Payne as the preventive-maintenance instructor for machine videos. Payne had 11 years as a service technician before joining Caterpillar, and then worked for 12 years as a senior technician at the Caterpillar Tech Center and Proving Grounds prior to taking on the role of preventive maintenance instructor. Machine owners who watch Payne’s explanation of filter installation, for example, will learn that every filter has its own specific lubrication/tightening procedure, which is detailed on the canister. A seemingly small point, but inattention to those details could jeopardize an engine.

Online Information — Live

What better way to stimulate the exchange of practical machine-management information than to allow people with similar concerns to talk face-to-face? This is the idea behind new online forums that Caterpillar created to bring equipment users and Cat experts to a digital conference table.

Through the Parts-and-Service discussion forum, customers can post questions to other machine owners, who just might have the answer to a particularly troublesome problem. But if the question is not promptly answered, then the forum monitor can connect with more than 100 subject-matter experts (or SMEs) at Caterpillar to get the needed information. In addition, live video presentations on subjects of machine-owner interest will be presented on a regular basis and will allow viewers to ask questions and make comments.

When Buying New Isn’t an Option

Caterpillar and Cat dealers recognize that deferred purchase of new machines is understandable when the economy is unsettled. But the need for work-ready machines is a pressing concern for anyone who earns a living with equipment.

To address that concern, Cat dealers provide an excellent starting point — Technical Analysis (TA) inspections that assess the health of a machine and identify potential problems. These affordable inspections give machine owners an objective look at machine condition and allow them to intelligently balance machine capability against impending work.

“TA inspections focus on identifying problem indicators early before they become major. There are two levels of inspections. A TA 1 inspection will identify potential issues such as leaks, hose chafing and structural cracks,” says Green. “The TA 2 inspection takes it a step further by testing all systems functionality as well as adjusting systems back to maximum productivity. In the end, an excellent inspection program improves performance, mitigates the risks of unplanned repairs and enhances the bottom line.”

If the machine needs attention to perform reliably, then the Cat dealer is ready with options that range from modest repair to complete rebuild of major components and systems. Customers make the decisions that best suit their finances and work situations, with the assurance that the chosen option will be carried out by the dealer with craftsmanship and quality parts.

Economically restoring existing machines to reliable condition is one “other-than-new” option, but that option can be complemented with used equipment and rental equipment. Cat dealers are weathering the current economic climate and are well positioned to offer a wide range of Cat Certified Used Equipment. These machines, all less than five years old with low hours, have passed a detailed inspection and are sold with a minimum six-month power-train warranty.

Equipment Training Solutions

Nearly all machine owners consider employee safety and cost reduction (through improved operating efficiency) among their chief objectives — in bad times or good. Caterpillar Equipment Training Solutions offers a practical means to help achieve these goals by equipping machine operators to perform their jobs competently and confidently. Today, the method for teaching operating skills can be tailored to the individual operator’s situation — whether class-room instruction, on-site training, e-learning or simulators.