Body building

Caterpillar takes it upon itself to design a body for payload, performance, and durability.

There's something to be said for self-sufficiency, and Caterpillar has plenty to say about it. The company is one of the few manufacturers in any industry that builds all the major components for its products, including engines, transmissions, hydraulics, cabs, and rear axles.

The company also has a group dedicated to truck bodies, because “bodies are a very key part of the value equation for mining trucks,” said Keith Underwood, Supervisor Truck Body Group, Caterpillar Global Mining. The group is responsible for the design, engineering, and manufacturing of bodies. “We believe these [tasks] are a real strength in our ability to design and optimize a machine, and respond to what the customers have to say.”