Why Choose A Single Source For Power And Propulsion?

When you're running a tug or towboat operation, time on the water is the only time that matters. A vessel down waiting on parts or a visit from a service expert could result in contracts and money lost. Even construction delays on new boats caused by a lack of coordination between suppliers can cut into your uptime and profits.

How do you avoid these problems and keep your vessels working on the water? Sourcing power and propulsion from one source based right here in North America may be the solution. That's why a growing number of tug and tow operators are turning to Caterpillar for both engines and thrusters.

An introduction to Cat Propulsion

Weren't aware Caterpillar offered propulsion products? We've been in the business since 2013, when we acquired Berg, a Swedish company that began manufacturing propellers prior to World War I. That gives us more than a century of experience building engines and propellers for the marine market. Today, we offer a full lineup of controllable pitch propellers, azimuth thrusters and control systems.

Tug and tow operations in particular rely on our MTA (Marine Thruster Azimuth) product, available in both L- and Z-drive configurations and covering virtually the entire Cat® engine range from C32s on up. The newest generation, MTA 03, includes the MTA 524, 627 and 628. (A quick primer on Cat MTA model numbers: The first number equals the series, and the second and third numbers equal the diameter of the wheel. So an MTA 628 is a 6 series thruster with a 2.8 meter diameter wheel.)

4 reasons to choose a Cat® engine/thruster package

1. Ease of engineering. When you're building a new vessel, sourcing products from different manufacturers can cause delays and headaches. Someone must engineer the solution, making sure every product fits exactly as it should. That responsibility usually falls on the shipyard's architect, which can slow down the build process. When you source power and propulsion from Caterpillar, our engineers take on that responsibility - saving you time, money and trouble.

2. 48-hour parts sourcing guarantee. We know you don't have time to waste waiting on repair or replacement parts. That's why we guarantee that all standard parts - everything but the propeller, nozzle or any designed-to-order item - will ship out of our warehouse within 48 hours of the time you place your order.

3. Service experts trained and ready to go. When you have service questions or need a technician on board to solve an issue, you can call on multiple Cat Propulsion engineers based in North America for assistance. Also, your local Cat marine dealer is on hand with technicians trained to service both Cat engines and thrusters - exactly what you need to get your vessel back up and running fast.

4. Heavy-duty performance and peace of mind. The quality and durability you've come to rely on from Cat marine engines? You can expect the same from Cat thrusters. High bollard pull, maneuverability and reliability come standard, as do low maintenance requirements. Plus, you'll benefit from a compact standard design that eases installation and on-engine clutches that simplify cooling requirements and prevent unnecessary shaft and bearing wear.

One supplier, a lot less headaches

Find out how switching to a single source of supply and service for your tug or tow vessels can save you time, money and headaches. Get more details on Cat Propulsion and our MTA lineup, then talk to your local Cat marine dealer about putting a total Cat solution to work for your operation.