Cat to take over mini excavator production

Caterpillar has announced it will assume the production of its mini excavators in 2018 after a six-year-long alliance with Wacker Neuson nears its end.

Caterpillar will leverage existing facilities and design teams to deliver new excavators weighing less than three tons.

Cat's Building Construction Products Division will design and manufacture the new machines, building on the attributes of the larger Cat mini excavators.

Five of the current models (301.4C, 301.7D, 301.7D CR, 302.2D and 302.4D) manufactured by Wacker Neuson will phase out in mid-2018, and the 302.7D CR at the end of 2019. The 300.9D will also phase out at the end of 2019 or later if mutually agreed upon by both parties.

"Wacker Neuson has been an excellent alliance partner, providing Caterpillar with high quality mini excavators in this smaller size class for the past several years," says Cat general manager for mini excavators, Korey Coon.

"The market for these products has grown, and we believe that internally designing, manufacturing and distributing these excavators will provide an even higher value to our customers, dealers and shareholders."

Spare parts availability, technical support and warranty for current models will continue as usual. Other products sold and serviced by Wacker Neuson at Cat dealers and rental stores will not be affected.