I've always been under the impression that Cat engines were the best thing going as far as longevity, pulling power, etc. But it seems like over the past few years some drivers have reported the quality of the yellow engines is beginning to take a nosedive and the newer ones are spending more time in the shop. Also seeing more Cummins engines in some of the premium rigs (Kenworth W900L, Peterbilt 389). Are the Cats overrated or are more drivers realizing the fuel savings of a Cummins versus a Cat? 8)

 

I heard a rumor that Cat is getting out of building Class 8 engines by 2010 (when the new EPA regs go into effect)

 

There is so much hear say it is un-real.

A buddy of mine is a diesel tech for cat and he said he heard cats was going to be building there own class 8 truck by 2010. He said they were going to buy out a truck maker. But who knows???

 

I know CAT really shot themselves in the foot when they came out with that C-12 engine. It was an under powered POS that was prone to spending a lot of time in the shop. Cat had really hyped it up as a great regional type engine that was suppose to pull better, last longer and get better MPG than similar offering from Cummins and Detroit but it really fell flat in its face. I know several medium sized trucking companies that bought into it and quickly wished they hadn't and went back to Cummins and/or Detroits.

A far as how good the C-15 is I could not tell you. I have had reports though that CAT had the biggest MPG drop out of all the engines when they had to meet the latest EPA requirements.

 

My oldman had a 2001 Pete tri axle dump with a c-12 430hp. motor. It pulled 73,000lbs on everload and it did a fine job. The only problem he had was a turbo blew at only like 140,000miles. Other then that it was a really good motor. Now he has a 2006 Pete with a c-15 475hp. That thing has more then a enough power to get the job done. Has 65,000miles on it and never been back in the shop yet.

 

I heard this also from a buddy who works at Alban Cat.....but who knows?

 

I ran a 2004 model C-15 in a 9900i at my last job before I was called up... the motor itself seemed to work just fine, although the timing did need constant adjustment for a while.. Gregory Poole Cat replaced whatever was defective (I never found out exactly what was causing it), and it didn't have any problems since.
I do know one of our private contractors was having turbo problems with a C-12 (I think it was 420 or 430) which he was running in a quad axle dump (it was an... 02, I think.. Western Star).
But I ran for a bull hauler for a short while, running a truck with a 3406B model Cat, and I think that one was the most reliable of them all.

I've heard the same rumour about Cat developing their own Class 7 - 8 line of trucks, but I'll take it with a grain of salt. I've heard the same thing regarding Ford, and that they were supposed to introduce a line of Class 7 and 8 trucks for the 2008 model year... suffice to say, that rumour has yet to come to fruition.

On a side note, I'd rather run a truck powered by a hamster with an exercise wheel than a damn Cummins. You want to talk about overrated, let's talk about the ISX.

 

I have a friend who drives for Star Transport out of Morton (Peoria), Illinois. For those who don't know they are a major CAT hauler which is also based in Peoria, Illinois and 99% of their loads are for CAT and CAT does own like 50% of Star anyway. Anyway my friend told me that CAT was gonna stop making Class 8 engines in 2010 and that Class 8 engines make up 1% of their operation and he also said CAT maybe making their own Class 8 truck. Also I heard that the Paccar engines are nothing but a CAT. That is what I know so far!

 

I do find it interesting that many of the truck manufacturers are coming out with their own engines. It makes me wonder why they feel there is going to be a demand for them in the future......

 

If I was to drive a manufacture's truck with THEIR engine it would be a Mack. They been making their own engines since day one and I rode in alot of Macks ranging from the R series, Superliner, CH, and Vision. Honestly they were great engines and very good work horses and dependable. I've heard the ASET engines 03-06 Mack model's were not good then again the other manufacture engines after 03 have been junk due to the emissions it seems like.