Any CAT Truck owners here?

What your basically saying is that as long as they are fixed and kept up they are the same. If engines are the same then i wonder why people opt to buy different engines when purchasing new trucks. Hmmm must be here say when certain engines break. I dont agree, many truck parts are interchangeable, chassis components, cab parts. Engines are not created equal. If you've driven these different engines you cant tell me that a 500 Detroit 60 series pulls the same as a 500 CAT. And Some Engines are better than others. on your trucks point i agree.

 

I just don't understand the infatuation with the pulled back axle. I understand increased turn radius, but a forward axle for companies that do a lot of driving and want the smooth ride of 280" wheelbase would kinda make sense. It's like a government mandates one size fits all option; worthless.

 

Let's dispel some of the mis-information here. The Cat truck is based off the Paystar 5600i, which I have owned. Very solid dependable trucks. But Cat makes changes to the interiors, mirrors, and some other little stuff.
The Cat truck is built alongside the Paystar in the Garland Texas plant. Not Mexico. All Paystar production is in Garland.
There is a new version of the 5600 Paystar about to be released that will have many of the changes Cat made to the truck. Good or bad, I don't know? Just know they will have new interiors, hood and multi-plexed wiring.
The engines are....yes the problematic Maxxforce 13's. No Cummins parts on these engines, BUT THE NEW N13 now has Cummins SCR on them. They are painted yellow and have Cat decals on them in the Cat trucks. International has now dropped the Maxxforce name and the engine is now the N13 with SCR.

And if you want another rumour, a Cat rep has told me to watch for an engine announcement in 2016. And I have already seen prototype Cat equipment in the field with SCR/urea engines in them.....if that tells you anything.

 

I have heard the same about a 15L motor that they have in equipment now they are testing in a few trucks now and will be released this fall.

 

Yes, I've seen a new log skidder that is working right now (will be the biggest on the market) and it has an SCR motor in it.
I got some other info from the Cat people at the last big show I went to. I walked over and started teasing them about how their Cater-national engines and they weren't impressed, LOL. So then they started telling me about some stuff they are working on.

Lets face it......it may not be the same as the Cat motors of old......but it can't be any worse than the junk we are dealing with now. Besides, after all the bad press they got over some ACERT motors and now these new ones.....I'm sure they will have these new ones thoroughly tested before they release them.

 

They've been running SCR Acert engines in heavy equipment for awhile now.

 

I personally don’t think they look bad. But like others said it’s not really it’s own truck. But almost everything today has parts or links from other companys.
Even if you go to one of those custom car TV show guys, they’re going to order engines and suspension from someone else.