I own a CAT 289D3 skid steer along with three other Caterpillar machines. Less than a month after the warranty expired, I had to replace the alternator. A few weeks later, the 289 began sputtering and eventually shut down completely.
After contacting Kelly tractor and their roadside service team, the machine was diagnosed with a collapsed fuel tank. Initially, I was informed that the issue was being classified as owner/operator negligence, leaving me facing a repair bill of approximately $7,500. As a small business owner, that was a significant and unexpected financial hit.
Fortunately, my sales representative, Patrick, who has always been outstanding to work with, referred me to Dave Marin. I cannot say enough about Dave's professionalism, diligence, and commitment throughout this process. He maintained excellent communication, explored every possible solution, and advocated on my behalf every step of the way.
Caterpillar ultimately recognized that the collapsed fuel tank was the result of an engineering-related issue rather than operator negligence. Thanks to Dave's persistence and dedication, my machine was repaired, and the $7,500 charge was waived.
I would also like to thank Steve for his efforts behind the scenes in helping move this process forward.
Experiences like this remind me that great equipment is important, but great people and customer support make all the difference. Thank you, Patrick, Dave, Steve, Kelly Tractor and Caterpillar for standing behind your customers. read more