Cat Generator Review (Best Cat Generator Plus Brand Guide)

The initial formation of Cat was in 1925. However, the name of the company, which was Caterpillar Tractor Company at the time, was trademarked in 1910. This company formed when two other companies merged, including the CL Best Tractor Company and the Holt Manufacturing Company.

After the company formed in 1925, several accomplishments were made that had this company standing out above other similar businesses. Notable examples include developing machines that helped with several major projects, such as the Grand Coulee Dam, Golden Gate Bridge and the construction of the Mississippi Levee.

During World War II, the company provided heavy equipment to assist the United States military. Stateside, they manufactured over 51,000 track-type military tractors.

During the 1950s, this company pursued international expansion. In the Venezuela Andes Mountains, CAT machines were used to aid in the creation of a superhighway that spanned 10.5 miles. Their machines were even used in Antarctica for a US military operation in the late 1950s and by the Indian government for various projects regarding the development of roads.

Starting in the mid-1960s, Cat started acquiring other companies to expand their offerings. For example, they acquired a company that manufactured forklifts and another that created diesel engines. Another product that they are well-known for is Cat generators.

At the time we wrote this Cat generator review, they had a solid reputation for generators. To ensure that you choose the best Cat generator, learning more about the Cat generators available and their technology is the first place to start.

Using Cat Generators

While working on this Cat generator review, it was clear that these generators are ideal for several applications, allowing you to get power in multiple environments and power outage situations. The larger generators are often compatible with transfer switches, making it easy to get power within seconds after a grid power outage occurs.

This brand of generators comes in a wide variety of sizes, from small inverter generators to those powerful enough to run your entire home. Once you add up the wattage you need to run your essential items, you will know exactly how many starting and running watts you need.

The larger generators come with wheels and handles, allowing you to move them into position with ease. This ensures that while they can power your entire home, they are also portable. Due to their portability, these larger generators are also a good choice for powering large worksites that do not have any grid power.

The smaller inverter generators are a good choice for campsites and similar outdoor activities. These have enough power for things like camping lanterns and to keep your mobile electronics charged when you are spending time out in nature.

The Technology of Cat Generators

These generators use OHV engines. Also referred to as overhead valve engines, these have several benefits compared to OHC engines:

• They are smaller, allowing for smaller generator packaging, making them more portable and lighter weight
• The drive system is simpler, allowing for fewer parts, resulting in fewer chances for the engine to experience problems
• The lubrication system is simpler, allowing for an oil pump that is smaller with a lower capacity
• They have hydraulic lifters, reducing how much maintenance you need to do to keep the engine running strong

To ensure the engine does not sustain damage, these generators typically have low oil shutdown. When the oil gets too low, this reduces how much lubrication the engine has. With this shutdown capability, you never have to worry about the engine experiencing damage due to reduced lubrication.

This brand of generators usually runs on gasoline. It is unleaded gasoline that you can get at any gas station, making it accessible and affordable. Because of this, it is easy to keep your generator fueled even when you are in an area where there was a natural disaster.

Common Features of Cat Generators

This generator brand is known for its variety of features that ensure that the generators run conveniently and efficiently. Looking at the features makes it easier to see how this brand of generators can fit into your life.

The control panels on Cat generators is usually all together on one side of the unit. These panels using have LED lights to illuminate the controls so that you can easily see what you are doing even when light conditions are low. Even the choke, stop and start control and fuel shutoff switch will be located on this panel.

Generators manufactured by Cat use lithium ion batteries. Whenever you are running your generator, the batteries will recharge automatically so that you do not have to deal with separate recharging sessions. This ensures that the generator is always ready to provide power when you need it.

Most of their generators come with a dial-style fuel gauge. This allows you to keep track of the fuel level so that you know when to add more. With this feature, you do not have to worry about your generator running out of gas when you need power.

These generators usually start up using either a pull cord or an electric start. Some of them have both options so that you can choose which starting method you most prefer. Both starting options allow you to engage the engine fast so that you can power your electronics.

For many of the portable generators from Cat, there are wheel and handle kits. These kids let you move the generators easily even when they are heavy. The wheels and handles attach easily, letting you make the generator portable within minutes.

Other notable features of the generators manufactured by Cat include:

• Large capacity fuel tanks to reduce how often you need to add gas to keep your generator running
• Never-flat wheels so that you do not have to deal with flat tires
• Low harmonic distortion to safely operate small electronics
• Low vibration frames to further reduce the noise your generator puts out

Cat Inverter Generators

Cat also has different types of inverter generators that work for smaller power needs. These run for an average of six hours when operating at half load. The inverter generators from this brand are quiet, functioning at 52 to 61 decibels.

You start them using a switch located on or near the control panel, depending on the inverter generator model that you choose. This allows you to start the generator within seconds. They have a choke integrated into them so that the engine does not hesitate when you go to start it.

To ensure optimal efficiency, this type of generator from Cat has Engine Smart Control technology. This ensures that it is only using the exact amount of gas that it needs to operate, saving you on fuel.

They have full panel GFCI, making it possible to use them on a worksite while ensuring that you are in full compliance with all laws and guidelines.

By knowing this information, it is easier to choose the best Cat generator for your needs. Take a look at some of the best choices to further narrow down your options for Cat generators.

The Following Are Among the Best Cat Generator Options

When we compiled this Cat generator review, a few Cat generators stood out above the rest. With these Cat generators, you can provide power to a variety of environments. The following are the best Cat generators with the best features and ratings.

Cat RP3600 Gas Powered Portable Generator

The Cat RP3600 Gas Powered Portable Generator features 4,500 starting watts and 3,600 running watts. This provides you with enough power for the essentials when you are experiencing a lapse in your home’s electricity. With this level of power, you can also run some tools on a small worksite that is lacking grid power.

On a full tank of gas, you can expect about 13 hours of runtime when you are running this generator at about 50 percent load. There are five outlets, making it easy to plug in a wide variety of items at the same time.

The control panel features LED lighting, making it easy to see all of the buttons and controls when you are using this generator in the dark. All of the controls are on one side, saving you time when you are operating this generator. Move it around with ease thanks to the wheels and handle.

Cat RP7500E Electric Start Portable Generator

The Cat RP7500E Electric Start Portable Generator has 9,375 starting watts and 7.500 running watts, ensuring plenty of power for small and large items, such as your window AC unit or your refrigerator. You can also run lights, your television and other smaller electric items.

When you are running this generator at half load, you can expect it to go for about 11 hours when the gas tank is full. With six outlets, you can plug in several items, allowing you to power many things at the same time.

The control panel has LED lighting, making it easy to see what you are doing when you are using the generator in low light conditions. It has an electric start so that you can get the engine going within seconds when you need electricity. Take advantage of this generator’s portability since it comes with wheels and a handle.

Cat RP12000E Gas Powered Generator

The Cat RP12000E Gas Powered Generator gas 15,000 starting watts and 12,000 running watts. At this level of power, you can run your entire small to medium-sized home. With a full tank of gas and running at half load, this generator will go for about 11 hours.

You can connect any electronic device to this generator without having to worry about damage. This is due to its low total harmonic distortion which is under five percent. Due to the nine outlets, multiple items can be plugged in simultaneously, ensuring that you are getting plenty of power when you need it.

On one side of the generator is the control panel. All of the outlets and controls are located here, making it easy to operate your generator and learn how to use it. It features a powerful engine with a pressurized oil system and idle mode, ensuring that you always have the power that you need.