HAUL TALK: THE CAT® TRUCK ENGINE PODCAST

In our latest episode of Haul Talk, Kurt and Zach sit down with Caterpillar retirees Gary Blood and Bob Keene. The two spent their decades-long careers with Cat Truck Engines —a team that operated with independence and a rugged, customer-first mentality. Listen in as Bob and Gary share their passion for trucking and reminisce about the good old days with Cat Truck Engines. https://www.cat.com/en_US/articles/truck-engine-resource-center/haul-talk-podcast.html

For father and son Nick and Nicholas Black, the diesel mechanic profession is a family affair. Nick went to school to become a diesel mechanic, while Nicholas learned everything from his dad and grandpa. Today, Nick focuses on restoration and custom truck builds at his shop, Whitemire Trucking, and Nicholas loves getting hands-on with repair jobs at his business, R&T Truck Service. In this episode of Haul Talk, you’ll hear about their family legacy and involvement in American Big Rig Racing—a truck racing series powered by Cat engines. https://americanbigrigracing.com/

Ever since she was a child, Jennifer Keffeler has loved the trucking industry. She’s turned that passion into a 29-year career at Caterpillar, where she spent nearly a decade as a sales manager for On Highway Truck Engines. In this episode of Haul Talk, Jennifer sits down with Kurt and Zach to talk about significant shifts in the industry, the importance of truck driving to our American way of life (shout out to the million milers out there!) and why trucking is a great career for young people to consider. https://www.cat.com/en_US/articles/truck-engine-resource-center/haul-talk-podcast.html

For Chris Pyles, business owner and repair pro, trucking is a family affair. His grandfather started Pyles Trucking Company in Goodfield, IL in the 1960s and his father opened K&G Repair in the early 80s. Chris spent time working for both businesses, cultivating expertise in driving and maintenance. In this episode, Chris shares the story of how he came to own his grandfather’s company while helping his father run the repair shop—and why Cat C13 engines are a favorite in his fleet (several of them are million milers!) https://www.cat.com/en_US/articles/truck-engine-resource-center/haul-talk-podcast.html https://www.facebook.com/p/Pyles-Trucking-100076405020282/?_rdr

When Garrett Smith was 17, he decided he didn’t want to sell donuts for the rest of his life. His love for lifted trucks and diesel inspired him to pursue a career in truck service, and now he’s a Service Manager at MHC, one of Caterpillar’s largest Truck Engine Parts and Service (TEPS) dealerships. He sits down with the guys to talk Cat® engines, customer support, and developing the next generation of expert service techs. https://www.cat.com/en_US/articles/truck-engine-resource-center/haul-talk-podcast.html mhc.com

Kurt and Zach chat with Billy Frank, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Division. which plays a big role in keeping Cat on-highway trucks rolling. Billy’s been at Caterpillar for 24 years, including time as an on-highway truck engine service rep. He knows what’s on the line for truckers and takes pride in helping their wheels keep turning. Billy shares his love for the industry and its people and discusses how Cat® Reman can help with engine longevity. https://www.cat.com/en_US/articles/truck-engine-resource-center/haul-talk-podcast.html

Do you remember the Cat® 1693 truck engine? Bob Keene does. When he started at Caterpillar in 1967, he joined the team working to replace that model with the 3406. In fact, Bob helped launch many of the Cat truck engines still on the road today. In this episode, he takes Kurt and Zach on a trip down memory lane — sharing insights into the many transitions in trucking (and truck engines) he witnessed over 40+ years at Caterpillar. Cat Truck Engine Resource Center https://www.cat.com/en_US/articles/truck-engine-resource-center/haul-talk-podcast.html

How do Cat® dealers, Truck Engine Parts and Service (TEPS) dealers, and independent repair shops work together to support Cat truck engine owners? Chris Cipperley, TEPS program manager for Milton Cat, has the answer. (Spoiler alert: It has a lot to do with trust. Plus, “a sense of urgency that is palpable.”) He tells the guys how those relationships — and the repair options available to keep Cat truck engines running — evolve over time. https://www.miltoncat.com/ https://www.cat.com/en_US/articles/truck-engine-resource-center/haul-talk-podcast.html

Ryan DeBroux’s been a volunteer firefighter since he graduated from high school over 25 years ago. But when he’s not fighting fires — or running his hauling and repair businesses — you’ll find him behind the wheel of the Caterpillar-sponsored Playin’ with Fire semi-pulling truck. Hear how Ryan got his start in competition, the thrills and challenges of semi-pulling and the modifications he’s made to help his Cat® truck engine handle the heat. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057506474055 https://www.cat.com/en_US/articles/truck-engine-resource-center/haul-talk-podcast.html

Zach and Kurt chat with Chris and Josh from True Grit Transportation about life on the road and the challenges along the way. With over 10 trucks above a million miles, Chris and Josh know what it means to really have “true grit”. They share advice, stories from the road and how they keep their trucks powered through multiple lives with yellow engines. https://www.truegrittransportation.com/home https://www.cat.com/cathaultalk

Mike and Aaron King of King Country Trailer sit down with our hosts to discuss their business, both in trucking and philanthropy. The King family’s been in trucking for over 50 years, and their dedication to the industry is clear in the level of service they bring to their work. They also go above and beyond, offering financial assistance with the DT and Joan King Foundation. Their mantra, “Truckers Helping Truckers,” is a way of life for this family company. https://www.kingcountrytrailer.com/ If you would like to learn more or donate to the DT & Joan King Foundation visit the following website. https://dtandjoankingfoundation.com/