When your well-cared for machine begins to show wear and tear, it can be easy to jump to the conclusion that you need to trade it in for a newer one. However, that isn’t your only option. By rebuilding the entire machine, or select components, you can maximize your original investment by giving your productive and trusted machine a second life.
High-quality equipment like Caterpillar is built to be rebuilt and manufacturers develop certification processes for dealers to follow when rebuilding machines or components. Certified rebuilt machines are held to a strict set of standards and typically have a higher resale value. Rebuild technicians undergo extensive training and have decades of equipment service experience. Commonly rebuilt machines include dozers, wheel loaders, compactors, excavators, motor graders, and articulated trucks.
In addition to keeping the machine you are comfortable operating, a rebuild restores its performance and productivity levels for a fraction of the cost of buying new. Rebuilds can enhance your machine with features that were introduced after it was manufactured including technology updates, safety options, and performance upgrades. To protect your rebuild investment, you will receive a like-new warranty on all replaced parts.
Generally, dealers offer three types of rebuild options – complete machine rebuilds, powertrain rebuilds, and component rebuilds. Below is an overview of the different rebuild options.
Complete machine rebuilds return the entire machine to good-as-new condition by replacing approximately 7,000 parts with new, remanufactured, or repaired parts. Unlike a typical overhaul, components such as linkage pins, shaft bearings, and electronic control modules are reconditioned during complete rebuilds. Due to the extensive amount of work performed, complete machine rebuilds receive a new serial number along with an updated cab and fresh paint.
Powertrain rebuilds return a machine’s powertrain components to like-new condition including the radiator, engine, transmission, torque converter, final drive, and axle. Approximately 3,000 parts are replaced with new, remanufactured, or repaired parts. During a powertrain rebuild, you can also recondition other areas of the machine such as the operator station, hydraulics, or undercarriage if needed.
Highlighted areas are the components that are rebuilt during powertrain rebuilds on off-highway trucks, wheel loaders, and excavators.
Component rebuilds give new life to individual machine components such as engines, transmissions, torque converters, axle assemblies, differentials, or final drives.
If you are considering a rebuild, start the conversation with your dealer sooner rather than later. Your dealer will work with you to determine which option is best for your application needs, schedule, and budget. The team has decades of experience delivering solutions to customers just like you and they can answer any questions you may have. There are also rebuild-specific financing options available that are comparable to the options you have when purchasing a new machine.
