Working for CAT

[RichBennett]

Anyone in here work for Cat or on them on a regular basis ? I was thinkin of trying to get into their apprenticeship program. I'd like to get some feed back on the equipment (not sure if I'd be heavy equip. , light/med, or power plants) and about working for the company itself. Help me make my decision.

 

[MKoth]

Do you mean Caterpillar Inc. ? Or a dealer?



I worked for the local Cat dealer Ziegler Inc. for a few months.

Did a lot of dozers and challenger ag tractors.

The work wasn't all that bad, but way too much shop politics for my taste.

 

[jmeehan]

I've done a top end on a 3508 and a 3412 on gen sets on a couple ferry's.

I enjoyed the work, I found the engines relatively easy to work on, lots of o-rings on water piping so things come apart and go together easily. Good manuals for reference.

I have no CAT training. I wish I had found their apprenticeship program several years ago when I was looking for a trade.

I'd say go for it.

 

[RichBennett]

Thanx for the info ! I did mean a dealer, Peterson tractor. They offer 2 apprenticeships (sorta) Think Big ! through CAT Inc. and more of a OTJ program where they send you to schools for specific training. So I 've got a few options to look into. Thanks again for the input.

 

[mbaston]

My Dad worked for Peterson for years; retired about 5 years ago. I didn't know they had their own program; they used to hire only Operating Engineers Local 3 people who usually went through the union's program. If you have some questions about Peterson, let me know them and I could forward them to my dad.