On Aug. 28, Fabick Cat hosted Caterpillar's first-ever "Mini-Excavator in the Trenches Tour" at its headquarters in Fenton, Mo. Fabick Cat was the first of 20 dealers to host the roadshow, which will conclude later this fall.

The tour showcases an expansive 100 ft trailer — complete with video simulations, live demos and games — so customers can experience firsthand the Next Generation Cat mini-excavators.

The new models include the 301.5, 301.7 CR, 301.8, 302 CR, 307.5, 308 CR, 309 CR and 310. Caterpillar redesigned the machines due to what customers requested most: operator experience, machine performance and serviceability.

New industry-first features include stick-steer travel control; cruise control; new LCD monitors with Bluetooth capability; sealed, pressurized cabs with an air-conditioning option; and full-service access with a tilt up cab/canopy feature on 1- to 2-ton models.

Since 1917, Fabick Cat's dedicated service to its customers and the community has proven invaluable to the area. As the exclusive Caterpillar dealer for portions of Missouri and Illinois, as well as all of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Fabick's 37 locations supply the equipment needed for a wide range of industries.

For more information, visit fabickcat.com. CEG

The new mini-excavator models include the 301.5, 301.7 CR, 301.8, 302 CR, 307.5, 308 CR, 309 CR and 310. (Adam Hancock, Fabick Cat photo)  

Gary Wersal (L) of Gershenson Construction Inc. and Tom Schuman of Fabick Cat discuss the new machines.  

The Cat 301.7CR mini-excavator features very easy access to make repairs.  

A customer competes in the tire stacking competition with the Cat 309 mini-excavator.  

Josh Malone (L) of Fabick Cat goes over all of the new upgrades to the Cat 301.7CR mini-excavator with Dave Bross of Bross Contracting Services.  

Customers had the opportunity to operate the new Cat next generation mini-excavators.  

On Aug. 28, Fabick Cat hosted Caterpillar’s “2019 Mini-Excavator in the Trenches Tour” at its Fenton, Mo., location. (Adam Hancock, Fabick Cat photo)  

John Fabick IV (R), senior vice president of Fabick Cat, welcomes Randy Cox of Spire Energy to the Caterpillar ‘In the Trenches Tour’ featuring the next generation of mini-excavators in Fenton, Mo.  

Luke Struckhoff (L) of Lamke Trenching & Excavating Inc. discusses the next generation of mini-excavators with Fabick Cat’s Chris Wunderlich.  

Jarrett Hillebrand (L) of ACE Hardware and Stewart England of Fabick Cat are on hand to preview Caterpillar’s next generation of excavators.  

Terry Hennessey (L) of Fabick Cat answers some questions about the Cat 249D track skid steer from Doug Thurman of Castle Contracting LLC.  

(L-R): Having a look at the Cat 309CR mini-excavator are Tom Schuh, Nathan Walck, Bryan Helbig and Tripp Spreckelmeyer, all of Ballast Tools Equipment.  

(L-R): In front of the Cat 308CR mini-excavator are Rob Riggs and Lisa Barnhart, both of Riggs LLC, and Matt Jundt of Fabick Cat.  

Jim Masters (C) of Fabick Cat goes over all the new features of this Cat 310 mini-excavator with Luke Struckhoff (L) of Lamke Trenching & Excavating Inc. and James Boyer of Integrity Septic & Sewer.  

In the cab of this Cat 302 mini-excavator is Scott Ravenscraft (L) of Raven Contracting and answering all of his questions is Mark Perkes of Caterpillar.  

Craig Harris (C) of Fabick Cat talks with Justin Colbert (L) and Dean McDonald, of Geeding Construction Inc.  

(Adam Hancock, Fabick Cat photo)  

(Adam Hancock, Fabick Cat photo)  

(Adam Hancock, Fabick Cat photo)  

(Adam Hancock, Fabick Cat photo)  

(Adam Hancock, Fabick Cat photo)  

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