Lester M. Sears was the gentleman who believed it could be good idea to adapt the farm tractor for use by industry over 80 years ago. He made the "Model L," and although it can seem quite obsolete at the moment, it was packed with new ideas. The machine transformed and revolutionized the materials handling industry.
Lester's first truck provided innovations that have become basic today in the forklift industry. Several of these important features consist of: wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, hydraulic tilting and lifting and equal reverse and high-speed forward gears.
During the year 1965 the corporation was acquired by Caterpillar and Lester began "Towmotor" and afterward started CAT Lift Trucks. With the same commitment to practical solutions, commitment to new ideas and extraordinary reliability, CAT enjoys thinking that they are direct descendants of Lester's. The Model L was really strong and effective that the model worked hard for more than 30 years before finally retiring.
It was then in 1992, when Caterpillar joined Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in a joint venture. They brought together technological strengths and financial and marketing strengths in the production of material handling machinery. The corporation has had their head office in Almere, the Netherlands since that time.
Presently, CAT Forklifts are among the best-built within the business. These equipment are available in diesel, LPG, electric counter balanced models and gasoline engines. The business also makes a complete line of warehouse machinery. The local CAT dealers are among the very best within the business and offer over 80 years of pertinent experience.
The particularly engineered RTCH rough terrain vehicle could operate in up to 5 feet of sea water. This unit is capable of functioning on soft soil places such as unprepared beaches. The RTCH could handle the 8 foot wide and 20 to 40 foot long containers.