HAUL TALK: THE CAT® TRUCK ENGINE PODCAST

Marine veteran and owner-operator Scott Robinson has seen it all during his time driving over three million miles. From a haul through Yellowstone National Park where a bison approached his truck to a load that included props for Jurassic Quest, Scott’s experiences have made him ready for anything. On this episode of Haul Talk, hear how Scott’s emphasis on preventative maintenance, smart business sense, and work/life balance have m...

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 abou...

During a career that spans nearly four decades, Washington-based Bill Zender has driven through the worst conditions. From steep inclines to frozen windshield wipers, Bill has navigated the perils of the road with determination instilled in him by his fleet owner dad. In this episode of Haul Talk, Bill shares stories from the road and reminisces about the good old days—when there was no power steering or cell phones, and his commun...

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 ...

When Adept Ape first started his YouTube Channel, one of his most popular videos was about his job as a diesel engine tech. Ten years and over 250K subscribers later, Adept Ape’s channel has become a popular maintenance and repair resource for drivers and technicians. In this episode of Haul Talk, Adept Ape answers questions about common engine issues (Hint: Don’t neglect your cooling system!) and offers simple tips for extending t...

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 sh...

Kurt and Zach’s guest Roger Lang owns Byron Lang Trucking, a third-generation family business with 50 trucks in its stable. As a guy who grew up around trucks, he’s a fan of Cat® engines and has been getting millions of miles out of his. How? Overhauls of his older ones and even a Cat® Reman engine with new content. If you love talking shop, you’ll love this episode.

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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.

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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 dis...

From ice roads to iced-up air lines, these guys have seen it all. Brothers-in-law Mike Jette and Cole Leaf own an Alaska-based business that provides mobile repairs and maintenance to truckers hauling critical supplies across the most desolate roads imaginable. In this episode, they describe what it’s like hauling in these extreme conditions when being stuck could mean life or death—and you always seem to need a part at the wrong t...

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.

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Just like every business needs a good accountant, every trucker needs a good mechanic. That’s Michael Punter’s philosophy. He sat down with Kurt and Zach to talk about his 40 years of experience, hauling everything from groceries to helicopter simulators to Beyoncé’s concert gear. Through it all, his Cat® truck engine has topped two million miles. What’s the secret to his longevity? “Caterpillar keeps it ro...

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 engin...

As a small business owner, Ryan DeBroux understands the importance of relationships. And he’s built a solid one with Caterpillar as owner of one of our valued independent repair facilities. In this episode, Ryan chats with Kurt and Zach about his early days hauling everything from diesel fuel to liquid manure — and how that evolved into DeBroux Custom Work, a company that repairs and overhauls Cat® truck en...

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 hi...

The Truck Engine Parts and Service (TEPS) Dealer Network makes sure truck engine owners and operators have expert dealer support in their neck of the woods. To drive this point home, the guys sit down with Jeff Picard, TEPS manager for Western State’s Equipment Company in Idaho. Jeff shares some stories from the dealer side and discusses the importance of the relationship between Caterpillar, dealers and cu...

Meet Steve Stark, an original Cat® Reman team member who started at Caterpillar’s first remanufacturing facility in Bettendorf, Iowa back in 1973. He joins Kurt and Zach to talk about the development of the Cat Reman program and how his family played a fundamental role in its legacy. Steve’s memories stretch back to the first engine off the line … right down to the serial number.

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