Compact Construction Equipment

Most contractors naturally associate the Caterpillar brand name with heavy-duty construction equipment.

From big track-type tractors to wheel loaders and excavators, Cat has set an industry standard in construction equipment for nearly 80 years.

However, in 1998, the first steps were

Starting with the compact wheel loader and mini hydraulic excavator, and followed (in 1999) by the skid-steer loader, Cat leveraged the purchasing power and engineering expertise that had come from decades of producing heavy construction equipment.

The result was a CCE line-up that features large equipment components such as radial piston motors, XT hoses and hydraulic cooling fans.

In 2001, Cat added the multi-terrain loader (MTL), which has grown in popularity due in large part to a tracked undercarriage that minimizes ground pressure and is designed for use in adverse working conditions. With the addition of the MTL, the Cat CCE line-up has grown to 26 machine models and more than 60 attachments, all built and backed by Caterpillar.

When Cat initially entered the compact construction equipment, it was with the awareness that there was potential for this line of machines, but also knowing this was an area abundant with competition.

However, Caterpillar quickly became the second leading producer of CCE equipment worldwide.

For Ziegler Cat, the Caterpillar dealer in Minnesota and Iowa, the compact construction market has become a lead initiative.

With a sales staff of 26 employees and a dedicated 40,000-square-foot CCE (and rental) facility in Shakopee, Minn., Ziegler has become the leader in CCE sales of Caterpillar equipment, selling more units than any other Cat dealer in the world.

In 2004, Merlin Satrom was named Ziegler's CCE sales manager.

"We feel fortunate to be in the position we're in with the Upper Midwest, as it has been proven to be a hotbed of CCE activity," said Satrom.

"We know that we have an incredible product, and with our customer support capabilities and facilities, we have a great opportunity to be a huge player in this market."

The Shakopee CCE facility was recently assessed by Caterpillar as a 5-Star location. This is distinction given to dealers who meet strict cleanliness guidelines, limiting potential contamination for customer equipment repairs.

"Our location provides us with a chance to show contractors our capabilities when it comes to customer support," added Satrom.

"When we're able to give customers a tour of our building and show them the capacity we have, our service capabilities, our extensive parts and attachment inventories, and everything else we have to offer, they are impressed."

One of the main features Satrom and his staff like to emphasize on a customer visit is the CCE display room, where new Cat skid-steer loader and multi-terrain loader models are on display with the access doors open, giving contractors an unimpaired view of the inner workings of the machines.

Along with the display models, a parts component cutaway display is on hand which demonstrates, in detail, differences in components between a Cat CCE machine and the competition's equipment.

"Customers can see first-hand how Cat leverages their heavy equipment manufacturing and engineering expertise to create the ultimate in compact construction equipment," Satrom said.

"Ziegler's Shakopee location also serves as a full-service rental store," said Satrom. "Ziegler Rental, which is headquartered in Maple Grove, Minn., offers a large selection of low-hour machines as well as in-and-out service, fast delivery, dependable service, and competitive prices."

Rental of Cat's CCE line-up has steadily risen to become one of Ziegler's most quickly growing divisions, according to Satrom.

"The Shakopee location is one of 15 full-service Ziegler Cat locations throughout Minnesota and Iowa, all offering extensive parts inventories, experienced parts personnel, customer support personnel, field service vehicles and technicians, and specialized service shops with guaranteed workmanship," Satrom said.