1980s
Solar assembler works on a Mars Turbine, capable of producing 10,600 horsepower.
Machines being loaded on a boat at a site near the dam.
Our development team poses with the first 416.
Off-highway truck and dozer photographed at the site
G.A. Schaefer is named Chairman of the Board.
The D11 is Caterpillar's largest track-type tractor.
In 1981, the first production 3500 engine rolled off the assembly line in Lafayette, Indiana. The next two decades saw the Caterpillar team responding to new opportunities to support customers. We also made some exciting additions to the Caterpillar family – including Solar Turbines, FG Wilson and Varity Perkins, which is now known as Perkins Engines Company Limited.
Remarkably, these decades saw the introduction of the 3500 engine, the first backhoe loader (the 416), the D11 Track-Type Tractor, the world’s largest mechanical drive mining truck (the 797), and the first-ever line of compact construction equipment. What elements drove some of these major product introductions? Here are some highlights:
Changing work requirements. Changing work requirements in the construction sector and increased urban expansion created strong customer demand for small, versatile, high-performing machines. We responded to the need with our first models of compact wheel loaders, mini excavators and a purpose-built complementary range of attachments.
Maintaining quality and improving technology. While the development of the 416 Backhoe Loader was swift and cost efficient, the emphasis remained squarely on quality and improved technology. Computer-aided design and finite element analysis played an important role in the creation of the backhoe loader.
Needing vital power across multiple industries. With now over 190,000 engines providing over 250 million horsepower, the Cat® 3500 series engine has brought power to people all around the world. Supplying vital power to the marine industry, she is also the muscle behind the toughest, most unforgiving applications in rail, mining, marine, and oil and gas.
From the smallest to largest job, our customers helped their communities thrive with infrastructure projects around the world. For example, hundreds of Caterpillar machines were part of major dam construction projects such as the Yacyreta Dam in Paraguay and Argentina, the Three Gorges Dam in China and Turkey’s Ataturk Dam during these decades.
| 1981 | Caterpillar acquires Solar Turbines. |
| 1983 | Paraguay and Argentina Caterpillar machines help construct the Yacyreta Dam. |
| 1985 | Caterpillar introduces its first backhoe loader - the 416. |
| 1985 | More than 450 Caterpillar machines start the construction of the Ataturk Dam in Turkey. |
| 1985 | G.A. Schaefer is named Chairman of the Board. |
| 1986 | Caterpillar introduces the D11 Track-Type Tractor. |
Meet the People
Meet Jim Bockhaus - the Inventor
At the end of 1985, if drove past a construction or repair project in any city on any day, there was a good chance you would see a Cat® 416 Backhoe Loader on the job. This new product offered by Caterpillar was rolling off the assembly line and into the hands of eager groups of customers.
"We now have available the most versatile, value-oriented machine Caterpillar has ever built," said project manager Jim Bockhaus. "The backhoe loader will play an important role at Caterpillar as more effort is placed on meeting the needs of the emerging contractors and owner-operators."
With Jim’s guidance, the development of the 416 was swift and cost efficient, while the emphasis remained squarely on quality and improved technology. Computer-aided design and finite element analysis played an important role in the creation of the backhoe loader. It was these innovations that differentiated the process from Caterpillar’s competitors.
The original concept team members were Bockhaus, Wes Leveck, Dean Rohweder, Jim Marx and Bob Humpidger.
The engineers were challenged to develop and manufacture a quality product in a short period of time, launching a new machine in 3 ½ years. “The abbreviated time to reach introduction required a high degree of cooperation among a variety of disciplines," Bockhaus said. "A sense of urgency prevailed, and people really were committed to accomplishing their part of the plan on time. Everyone associated with the program is very excited about its future."
Reflecting on the project 25 years later Jim said, "Many Cat employees never get the opportunity to help create a brand-new product and business. It was a lot of hard work, but it was a rewarding project ...”
