- Joined
- Feb 21, 2003
- Messages
- 26,972
- Location
- SE Michigan in the middle of nowhere
- Tractor
- Kubota M9000 HDCC3 M9000 HDC
Re:CAT
Hey guys, lets not get too biased on other peoples toys (I mean tractors). you run what you brung so to speak.
I have a 550 Cat, E-model in my '98 Western Star. I like Cat's, but other manufacturers also make good engines. Caterpillar has had their share of problems too. My 550 is a leaker, it leaks from the rear of the head. it's a warranty fix that envolves removing the head and fixing a blanking plate that accesses the rear of the cam. Cats are notorious for perforating the head gasket on No. 6 cylinder on B models and their 3408's are basically a throw-away motor.
I could go into the reasons why Cat did not meet the current air quality standards that the Fed put in place and just paid the fine instead. And don't forget that Caterpillar had to purchase the rights from Navistar for the HUEI injection system to meet the pre particulate emmission standards.
As far as I am concerned, in class 8 diesels, Cat has the best torque rise, but it's not the most efficient engine. That would go to Detroit Diesel. Cats still get poor fuel mileage by todays standards.
As far as tractors go, I run Deeres and Kubota's. Both have their good points and bad points. Our big row crop tractors are Deeres (150 pto and above). For smaller tasks and haying we use Kubota. In 15 years, I have never had a problem, powertrain related with a Kubota. I can't say that about a Deere.
Hey guys, lets not get too biased on other peoples toys (I mean tractors). you run what you brung so to speak.
I have a 550 Cat, E-model in my '98 Western Star. I like Cat's, but other manufacturers also make good engines. Caterpillar has had their share of problems too. My 550 is a leaker, it leaks from the rear of the head. it's a warranty fix that envolves removing the head and fixing a blanking plate that accesses the rear of the cam. Cats are notorious for perforating the head gasket on No. 6 cylinder on B models and their 3408's are basically a throw-away motor.
I could go into the reasons why Cat did not meet the current air quality standards that the Fed put in place and just paid the fine instead. And don't forget that Caterpillar had to purchase the rights from Navistar for the HUEI injection system to meet the pre particulate emmission standards.
As far as I am concerned, in class 8 diesels, Cat has the best torque rise, but it's not the most efficient engine. That would go to Detroit Diesel. Cats still get poor fuel mileage by todays standards.
As far as tractors go, I run Deeres and Kubota's. Both have their good points and bad points. Our big row crop tractors are Deeres (150 pto and above). For smaller tasks and haying we use Kubota. In 15 years, I have never had a problem, powertrain related with a Kubota. I can't say that about a Deere.