Cat® Certified Rebuild: A Surprising History

When hard economic conditions hit during the 1980s, many Caterpillar customers who needed to upgrade their Cat® machines simply didn’t have the financial resources to buy new equipment. That’s when the Cat Certified Rebuild (CCR) program was born (more on that later), providing customers with rebuilt machines that perform and look brand new. But well before the 1980s – and well before Caterpillar was even a company – the founders were already ahead of the game. 

REBUILD IS PART OF OUR DNA. 

The Holt Manufacturing Company, one of our two predecessor companies, rebuilt and resold machines as early as 1910 – the year the name “Caterpillar” was trademarked! Believe it or not, one of these machines is still owned by the original customer today, and it is recognized as the oldest surviving Caterpillar tractor manufactured in Peoria, Illinois.  

In 1933 Caterpillar sold diesel engine conversion kits that allowed existing customers to “modernize” their gasoline powered Sixty tractors. The conversion took a Caterpillar certified dealer mechanic 16-20 hours to complete and cost $1,500. Not a bad price for doubling the life of the machine. 

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FAST FORWARD 50 YEARS.

In 1985, Caterpillar launched its Certified Rebuild Program starting with the Cat D8K dozer. Caterpillar's reasons for initiating the D8K certified rebuild program included the machine's sound frame, high dealer experience level, and parts availability. The rebuilt D8K cut owning costs and allowed for a higher net profit during the second life.  

Select Cat® dealers demonstrated these machines to customers proving these machines had a second life built into them. 

The Caterpillar Certified Rebuild D8K was guaranteed to provide like-new performance for much less than a D8K would cost new when it was last available. Each Caterpillar Certified Rebuild D8K was given a new identification number verifying the thoroughness of the process and confirming that the machine conformed to Cat standards. 

GETTING BETTER WITH AGE. 

Today, the program offers rebuild services for complete machines, machine power trains, machine components, hydraulic system and commercial engine rebuilds – done through Cat dealers. A complete machine rebuild (CCR) incorporates the very latest Caterpillar technology and critical engineering updates and the ability to add new technologies or upgrades into customer equipment at a significant cost savings. After thorough evaluation, including more than 350 tests and inspections, and the automatic replacement of approximately 7,000 parts – customers get a like-new piece of equipment and warranty. 

Going forward, the Cat Certified Rebuild program will continue to evolve as customer’s needs evolve – as was envisioned many decades ago. Helping our customers succeed and earning their loyalty over the life of the relationship. 

Watch this time-lapse video of a Cat-certified rebuild of a D6R powertrain. 

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