Working for Cat Equipment

[Azone]

Well fellas let me hear the good the bad and the ugly if you have any experience working with them or for them.
I have a pending job offer and am considering taking it. While it’s not a huge step up pay wise from my current job (current job pays very well) the thought of getting to work on and learn their equipment inside and out is tempting me to take it. I know some people who really enjoyed working for them and some people who it didn’t work out for.
I work in mining these days and to me having Cat dealer experience would be a great opportunity to broaden my skill set and it would definitely look good on a resume.
Any feedback would appreciated.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

I worked for them as a field tech in pa for a few years. Learned a ton. Lots of coal mining and fracking rigs. I left for Cummins once I got experience and got my dream job of doing engine rebuilds, but cat wasn’t terrible to work for. Working in the field is very tough on you’re body just an fyi.

I remember changing turbos on a piece of equipment in the bottom of a drag line pit in December, it was like 15 degrees. Brutal to say the least lol.

Their profit sharing was always a nice part of the retention plan.

 

[go_deep]

My uncle retired from Cat as an R&D Engineer in Minnesota, he worked there his entire life, he loved it.

 

[Azone]

I worked for them as a field tech in pa for a few years. Learned a ton. Lots of coal mining and fracking rigs. I left for Cummins once I got experience and got my dream job of doing engine rebuilds, but cat wasn’t terrible to work for. Working in the field is very tough on you’re body just an fyi.

I remember changing turbos on a piece of equipment in the bottom of a drag line pit in December, it was like 15 degrees. Brutal to say the least lol.

Their profit sharing was always a nice part of the retention plan.

Yeah field work in an open pit mine is not for the faint hearted or mentally weak. I’ve had some days and nights where I’ve seriously wondered if the juice was worth the squeeze.
I’d be going on with them as a field welder if I accepted it. My body definitely has some miles on it due to my line of work. I’ll be 37 in a couple months, not a old timer by any means but I definitely don’t move and shake shit off like I did in my 20’s lol.
I currently work on drill and shovel for a mining company and it’s a great job but I feel I’m plateauing skill and knowledge wise.
My offer mentioned nothing of profit sharing.

 

[GBHunter]

It sounds like you have an opportunity with a Caterpillar Dealership vs Corporate Caterpillar. Every dealership would vary in operations as they have different owners / leadership teams. With this I would say it all depends on the dealership on how it is to work for them. Talk with some of the technicians at the dealership you have the opportunity, they would typically be forthcoming in details about their experience.

I worked for a dealership in the West for 24 years, starting as a field technician to salesrep, then retired as the regional sales manager. My experience with the dealership and many interactions with Caterpillar were extremely positive. I would recommend it to anyone.

That being said, you also get out of it what you put into it and what type of attitude you bring along will make a difference.

Many people that come into the organizations have the flexibility to move into significantly different roles from where they started. There was never a lack of opportunity to change/grow, if you are willing to take on new challenges.

Good luck if you go for it, there is definitely a great deal of pride in working for the brand.

 

[Rich M]

Buddy of mine is a machinist there - works a lot of OT and they have periods where they don't allow vacations. Pay is good, he's happy enough with job.

 

[Weldor]

I know quite a few guys that retired from Cat and Cat dealerships, never heard too many compliant's. They all liked it and most had company rigs and good benefits. They worked a lot of hours when times were good, but who doesn't.

 

[gbflyer]

My buddy is the N. CA equipment manager for a big western US contractor. They love Cat trained mechanics. After they work at Cat for a couple years he picks them off with way more money and a pickup.