Caterpillar

Caterpillar vs JCB

The default British plant make and the one hire customers ask for by name. Fleets buy JCB because operators already know the controls, parts turn up quickly and residual values hold, which matters more to a hire business than any single spec on the sheet.

Caterpillar vs Komatsu

A full-line manufacturer strongest in the mid and heavy excavator classes. Turns up in UK hire mainly through larger fleets and civils contractors rather than local tool-and-plant shops.

Caterpillar vs Hitachi

An excavator specialist with a long reputation for hydraulic smoothness. Operators who spend all day in the seat tend to have strong opinions about Zaxis machines, and fleets that serve civils work stock them for that reason.

Caterpillar vs Kubota

The mini excavator most hire fleets standardise on. Reliability and the zero-tail-swing U series are the reasons - on a domestic driveway or a garden job, the ability to slew without catching a wall is worth more than extra breakout force.