Caterpillar's Series - Part 4: Boys and Their Toys

This is a direct excerpt from Caterpillar’s Series — Stutsman Gerbaz Earthmoving.

“He’s like a little boy on Christmas morning!”

That was resounding reaction from the crowd of Stutsman-Gerbaz family and friends who gathered in the company parking lot to watch Shay unwrap and unveil his newly renovated 1949 Caterpillar D4.

For Shay, it was love at first sight, “Oh my God, it’s beautiful.”

Shay Stutsman, Vice President of Stutsman-Gerbaz Earthmoving, always wanted an antique Cat machine of his own, and so last year he embarked on a global search that landed him in Midwestern region of the United States. He found an old D4 that was in good enough shape he thought it could be restored.

“I had it shipped to my shop and then sent it down to Wagner (Cat) for restoration.’ Said Stutsman.

After three months of hard work and painstaking detail, the Wagner team delivered the finished product. Not only is the machine’s physical appearance immaculately restored, it runs like day one on the jobsite.

“People get moments in life when they realize all the hard work has been for something,” says Shay grinning from ear-to-ear. “Seeing this restoration completed is one of those moments for me.

“PEOPLE GET MOMENTS IN LIFE WHEN THEY REALIZE ALL THE HARD WORK HAS BEEN FOR SOMETHING. SEEING THIS RESTORATION COMPLETED IS ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS FOR ME.” 

Shay hopes this is the first of many antique Cat machines on display in his garage. He plans to showcase this D4 in parades and other events around the Aspen area.

Watch Shay’s priceless reaction to the site of his new “baby,” and the skill and expertise that went into the restoration this Caterpillar classic.

Shay Stutsman always wanted an antique Cat® machine of his own, so last year he embarked on a global search that landed him in the Midwest. Watch as this 1949 Caterpillar D4 comes back to life.

After a global search, Shay Stutsman finally found an antique Cat machine he could restore – a 1949 Caterpillar D4.

The machine spent 3 months being restored by Wagner Cat.

Here it is getting prepped for a fresh coat of Cat yellow.

Shay was all smiles upon receiving the newly restored machine.

It’s now displayed proudly in his garage, with the hope to add more antique equipment to his collection.

Shay also plans to showcase this D4 in parades and other events around the Aspen area.