Antique owners’ club marks Cat centenary
Cat enthusiasts celebrate 100 years with display of old and new Caterpillar machines at TractorFest UK
ENTHUSIASTS of antique Cat machinery took to TractorFest UK with an inspiring display of heritage and new model machines in celebration of Caterpillar’s centenary year.
With support from Finning UK & Ireland, the Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club (ACMOC) took a display of 66 Cat machines to TractorFest, the UK’s largest vintage tractor and machinery show, which is held annually at Newby Hall, Yorkshire.
Founded in 1991, ACMOC has thousands of members from around the world with an avid interest in the history of Caterpillar machinery, and many members of its UK chapter brought their heritage Cat machines along to the weekend’s exhibition.
Alongside the heritage machines from ACMOC, Finning supplied a Cat D6 bulldozer, a Cat 966 wheel loader, and mini-excavator, as well as providing support equipment for the event.
Scott Girvan, service team leader at Finning UK - Boldon and a member of ACMOC, said: ‘Like all members of ACMOC, I have a huge passion for Cat machines – old and new. As this year marks the centenary of Caterpillar, the team at Finning were keen to help ACMOC create an exhibition stand that was a fitting tribute to the past 100 years.
‘Alongside a range of heritage machines, including my own Cat D2 dozer, Cat D4 dozer, and Cat Twenty-Two tractor, the team from the Leeds branch at Finning provided several modern machines that represent the very best of Cat machinery, both past and present.
‘As a surprise addition to the stand, Caterpillar’s Desford facility provided two stunning centennial grey machines, which were revealed with much anticipation, as these machines are limited edition, made to mark this important landmark year.
‘In particular, visitors to the stand enjoyed the opportunity to see up close how the machines have evolved over the past 100 years, and there were many lively discussions about the part Caterpillar have played in people’s businesses and lives throughout their history.’
ACMOC international director John Gaunt added: ‘Caterpillar, from their inception 100 years ago, have played a major role in shaping and developing the world as we know it. It is truly remarkable that so many examples of early machines have survived, and it is a great testament to Caterpillar engineering.
‘We were most grateful to Finning for supporting Caterpillar enthusiasts at Newby Hall, and for adding a sense of celebration with the centennial machines – a special occasion for our organization, Finning, and all who visited TractorFest this year.’
