Lester M. Sears was the gentleman who thought it might be good idea to modify the farm tractor for use by industry over 80 years ago. He created the "Model L," and although it may look quite obsolete at the moment, it was packed with new ideas. The machine revolutionized and transformed the materials handling industry.
The first truck which Lester offered innovations on has become the standard today within the forklift business. Some of these key features comprise: rear-wheel steering, wheel drive, hydraulic tilting and lifting and high speed forward and equal reverse gears.
In the year 1965 the business was acquired by Caterpillar and Lester started "Towmotor" and afterward started CAT Forklifts. With the same commitment to practical solutions, commitment to new ideas and extraordinary dependability, CAT enjoys thinking that they are direct descendants of Lester's. The Model L was so strong and effective that the model worked hard for over 30 years before finally retiring.
It was then during 1992, when Caterpillar joined Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in a joint venture. They brought together technological strengths and financial and marketing strengths in the manufacturing of material handling machinery. The corporation has had their head office in Almere, the Netherlands ever since that time.
At present, CAT Forklifts are among the best-built in the industry. These machines are available in LPG, diesel, electric counter balanced units and gasoline engines. The company manufactures a complete series of warehouse machines as well. The local CAT dealers are amongst the best in the business and offer over 80 years of pertinent experience.
The RTCH is a particularly engineered rough terrain vehicle which can operate in up to 5 feet of sea water and utilizes 4-wheel drive. This model is capable of functioning on soft soil locations like for instance unprepared beaches. The RTCH can handle the 8 foot wide and 20 to 40 foot long containers.