Getting Cat Equipment
Getting Cat Equipment

Buying & Renting Cat® Equipment:
What You Need to Know

Ready to shop for your next (or first) Cat® machine, engine or genset? You’re in the right place. From selecting the right product, to financing, to planning for maintenance and repairs, we’ve got you covered.

DID YOU KNOW? 

Cat dealers offer free site assessments.  Your dealer rep can visit your site to understand your situation and recommend the right machine, engine or genset.

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Choosing the Right Equipment for Your Business

What are your equipment needs?

Equipment shopping can be daunting. But you can start by considering:  

If You're Shopping for Machines:

  • Machine size needs — power, the amount of material you need to move/dig/lift and size compatibility with other machines in your fleet 
  • Machine features — like drive train, fuel type, available attachments, tire / track type and on-board technologies 
  • Your own variables — like jobsite environment, soil type, different applications, local regulations, power needs, operator skills and how long you plan to use the machine
  • Transportation — like local road weight limitations, permit requirements, etc 

If You're Shopping for Power Generation Equipment:

  • Genset – size, frequency and voltage of the electrical loads you need to power 
  • Generator application – duty cycle, application, duration 
  • Availability of fuel type on your site – diesel, gas, biofuels, etc 
  • Installation requirements –cooling needs, noise, space limitations, weather protection and portability 
  • Regulatory requirements – emissions, noise and safety 
  • Ancillary product needs – switchgear, transfer switch, energy storage, microgrid, etc. 
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Explore Equipment Options

Buy, Lease, Rent, Rebuild or Repair?
 

Choices for Every Business and Budget

New equipment may be the right choice for your business. But not always. 

Depending on your specific needs, you may be better off with a short-term rental, an equipment lease, or a used Cat machine. 

Some Factors That Help Determine the Right Options:
  • Your budget
  • Cash flow
  • Application
  • Job schedule
  • Availability of work
  • Need duration
  • Current fleet situation 
  • And more

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Find the Right Financial Solutions Provider

Financing Considerations

When purchasing equipment, there’s more to consider than just the interest rate. Other considerations include:

  • The ebbs and flows of your business – look for flexible payment terms that reflect your business cycle.   
  • Equipment ownership costs – they can impact how much you can afford and how you acquire equipment. 
  • Equipment service and extended protection plans – you can simplify budgeting by financing these in a bundle along with your loan payment.
  • Disaster support – find out how your lender will support you in the event of a major event or disaster that disrupts your business.
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Plan for Maintenance. Avoid Downtime. 

Preventative Maintenance is Crucial

Preventative maintenance is crucial to equipment uptime and reducing your risk of unexpected failures and costly repairs.  Whether you choose to DIY or have your Cat dealer perform maintenance service, you’ll want to build a detailed maintenance plan for routine inspections, fluid and filter changes and wear part replacements. 

Your owners manual includes recommended planned maintenance schedules and checklists.

Planning ahead will help you:

  1. Ensure the service timing aligns with your business schedule 
  2. Schedule service with your dealer in advance
  3. Have parts and tools on hand when you need them if you choose to DIY
  4. Plan for maintenance costs in your monthly budget
  5. Ensure you have the right equipment protection plans and service agreements to control unexpected costs

Maximize Performance and Efficiency 

Take Your Operation to the Next Level

The right equipment is only one piece of running a profitable operation. Operator skills, downtime prevention, fuel usage and operational processes are just a few of the factors that make a difference. If you’re looking for a way to stay on top of your fleet, optimize equipment performance and save time, then technology and /or our training services may be just what you need.  


Frequently Asked Questions

Read our FAQs to learn more about getting Cat equipment and working with our dealers.

When you’re investing in equipment, we understand there’s a lot to consider before making a decision. Equipment price is determined by many factors including configuration, age, and features, just to name a few. It's also important to evaluate the total cost of ownership and what’s needed to keep your equipment running at peak performance, which can impact how you acquire equipment. 

Look for the "Build and Price" feature for select models on Cat.com to get instant pricing based on your preferred machine configuration. If you don't see pricing on the machine you're considering, your local Cat dealer is always a great resource to get more information about Cat equipment pricing.

You can request a financing quote on cat.com. After you submit the form, your local Cat dealer will follow up with more information.

You can also contact your Cat dealer to discuss financing options. 

Cat dealers are locally operated businesses. We partner with them closely to provide a consistent customer experience around the world.  Learn more about our dealer network.

Many types of Cat equipment are available in multiple models to suit different application needs and price points. These variations are indicated with a “GC” or “XE” after the model number. XE equipment has market-leading technologies and machine features. They’re designed for the most demanding applications.  GC equipment has simple features and technology and is best suited for light to moderate applications. If you don’t see a modifier after the model number, it’s our standard model, which is designed for medium to heavy applications.

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