The first half of 2014 brought a wave of new construction equipment that captured the attention of contractors across North America. For Construction Pros tracked reader interest through its most-viewed product listings, and the results revealed clear patterns. Trucks and excavators dominated the rankings, with Caterpillar emerging as the most popular manufacturer. This article examines the top 10 most-viewed products from January through June 2014 and what these preferences tell us about industry demand. Design Pros Share Their Top Outdoor Living Products provides additional perspective on how adjacent product categories were shaping contractor preferences during the same period.
Vocational Trucks and Heavy-Duty Haulage
Trucks occupied three of the top 10 slots, signaling strong demand for on-road and off-road haulage. Contractors were investing in rolling stock designed for construction site duty cycles.
Caterpillar CT681 Vocational Truck
The Caterpillar CT681 vocational truck claimed the number one spot. This Class 8 truck was built for severe-service applications including dump truck, mixer, and refuse operations. It featured a lightweight aluminum cab and a set-forward front axle that improved weight distribution and maneuverability. Powered by Caterpillar’s CT11 or CT13 engines delivering 370 to 475 horsepower, the CT681 eliminated the guesswork of matching components from different suppliers by offering a factory-integrated solution with unified warranty and service. Key specifications included a GVWR of up to 66,000 pounds, improved turning radius, and a spacious cab designed for operator comfort on long days behind the wheel.
- Gross vehicle weight rating of up to 66,000 pounds for heavy hauling capacity
- Set-forward front axle design for improved turning radius on tight job sites
- Lightweight aluminum cab reducing overall vehicle weight for higher payload
- Integrated Cat engines designed specifically for vocational duty cycles
- Operator-friendly cab layout with enhanced visibility and ergonomic controls
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4
At number five, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 generated strong reader interest. Already popular as a cargo van for crew transport, the 4×4 variant opened possibilities for sites with challenging terrain. Its selectable four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing made it suitable for muddy or uneven ground. With payload exceeding 5,000 pounds and configurations ranging from cargo vans to crew carriers, the Sprinter 4×4 appealed to contractors needing a single vehicle for both highway driving and off-road access.
Ford 2016 F650 and F750
Ford’s unveiling of the 2016 F650 and F750 ranked sixth. These medium-duty trucks targeted contractors who needed more capacity than a pickup could provide without requiring a full Class 8 vocational truck. The F650 offered a GVWR starting at 19,500 pounds, while the F750 reached 37,000 pounds. Both could be configured with either a Ford 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel or a Cummins ISB 6.7L diesel. The 2016 model year brought refreshed styling and improved towing capabilities for medium-haul material transport.
| Product | Rank | Manufacturer | Category | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT681 Vocational Truck | 1 | Caterpillar | Heavy Truck | Set-forward front axle, aluminum cab |
| T450 & S450 Loaders | 2 | Bobcat | Compact Equipment | Vertical lift path, high breakout force |
| 335F L CR Excavator | 3 | Caterpillar | Excavator | Compact radius, reduced tail swing |
| 336F Excavator | 4 | Caterpillar | Excavator | High horsepower, Tier 4 Final |
| Sprinter 4×4 | 5 | Mercedes-Benz | Van/Truck | Selectable 4WD with low range |
| 2016 F650/750 | 6 | Ford | Medium Truck | Dual engine options, refreshed design |
| 67C-1/86C-1/85Z-1 | 7 | JCB | Compact Excavator | Zero tail swing, Tier 4 engines |
| 390F & 374F Excavators | 8 | Caterpillar | Large Excavator | Hydraulic efficiency upgrades |
| Cat B15Q Smartphone | 9 | Caterpillar | Mobile Tech | Waterproof, drop-proof, Android |
| EU7000is Generator | 10 | Honda | Power Equipment | Inverter technology, quiet operation |
Excavators: The Dominant Category of 2014
Excavators accounted for four of the top 10 products, with Caterpillar alone taking three slots. Interest ranged from compact radius machines for urban work to large-class models for heavy earthmoving, signaling that contractors across the size spectrum were actively evaluating new machines.
Caterpillar 335F L CR Excavator
The 335F L CR ranked third overall. This 35-metric-ton machine featured reduced tail swing for confined work zones such as road widening and urban utility work. Powered by a Cat C7.1 engine delivering 275 net horsepower and meeting Tier 4 Interim standards, it offered a dedicated swing pump for smooth operation and optional Cat Connect technologies for fleet management. Its compact radius design meant the counterweight stayed within track width during rotation, allowing safe operation alongside traffic barriers and structures.
Caterpillar 336F Excavator
Ranking fourth, the Caterpillar 336F was a 36-metric-ton standard-radius excavator with a Cat C9.3 engine producing 319 net horsepower. It was among the first models in its class to meet Tier 4 Final emission standards using selective catalytic reduction. The 336F introduced on-demand hydraulic flow that reduced parasitic losses and improved fuel efficiency by up to 8 percent over the previous E-Series models, making it suitable for everything from deep foundation work to site grading.
JCB Compact Excavators: 67C-1, 86C-1, and 85Z-1
JCB placed three models at the seventh spot. The 67C-1 was a 6.7-metric-ton machine, while the 86C-1 and 85Z-1 were 8-metric-ton class machines distinguished by tail swing configuration. The 85Z-1 featured zero tail swing design for operation flush against obstacles. All three used JCB’s Ecomax diesel engines meeting Tier 4 Final without diesel particulate filters, simplifying maintenance for contractors who preferred to avoid DPF regeneration cycles. This lineup reflected the industry shift toward smaller, more maneuverable machines for urban projects.
Caterpillar 390F and 374F Excavators
At eighth position, the Caterpillar 390F and 374F demonstrated that heavy-class machines remained a priority. The 390F weighed 90 metric tons with 444 horsepower output, while the 374F at 74 tons was designed for heavy construction and mining support. Both featured Cat’s Advanced Productivity Hydraulics system, which increased flow during heavy work and reduced it during lighter operations to conserve fuel. They also offered Grade with 2D and 3D systems as factory options, reflecting early integration of machine control technology.
Compact Equipment and Power Solutions
Compact equipment and portable power products claimed two spots, reflecting the importance of versatile, transportable machines for constrained spaces. Top Construction Products Every Builder Should Know Recip offers additional context on tools and equipment for daily operations.
Bobcat T450 and S450 Compact Loaders
Bobcat’s T450 compact track loader and S450 skid-steer loader ranked second. These 50-horsepower machines filled the gap between smaller homeowner-grade loaders and the larger 600- and 700-series machines. The T450 used a tracked undercarriage for soft ground, while the S450 offered wheeled speed on hard surfaces. Both featured a vertical lift path providing greater reach at full dump height, making them useful for loading trucks and placing materials onto elevated platforms. With a rated operating capacity of approximately 1,500 pounds, these loaders handled grading, backfilling, material handling, and demolition cleanup across a wide range of job sites.
Honda EU7000is Generator
The Honda EU7000is generator rounded out the top 10. Producing 7,000 watts peak and 5,500 watts continuous, it could run multiple power tools, lighting, and small equipment. Its inverter technology delivered clean power for sensitive electronics, a growing requirement as job sites became more tech-equipped. The Eco-Throttle system adjusted engine speed to match load, reducing fuel consumption and noise to just 58 decibels during typical operation. The 5.1-gallon fuel tank provided up to 8.3 hours of continuous run time at rated load, enough for a full shift without refueling.
Technology Meets the Construction Jobsite
The ninth-ranked product was a sign of changing times. The Cat B15Q rugged smartphone represented the growing intersection of mobile technology and construction operations. Top Construction Equipment Launches of 2014 What the explores how these launches collectively signaled shifts in industry demand.
Cat B15Q Rugged Smartphone
The Cat B15Q was the world’s first rugged smartphone to run Android KitKat. Built by Caterpillar with Bullitt Group, it was waterproof to IP67 standards (submersion up to one meter for 30 minutes), drop-proof from 1.8 meters onto concrete, and dust-proof. The 4-inch display worked with gloved hands and even when wet. These features addressed a real need for durable devices for on-site communication, photo documentation, and blueprint viewing. While its 5-megapixel camera and dual-core processor seem modest today, the B15Q represented a significant step in making mobile technology genuinely useful on active construction sites.
Lessons from the 2014 Rankings
Several patterns from the 2014 top 10 remain relevant. Caterpillar’s five appearances demonstrated the power of brand reputation and integrated service networks. The mix of large and compact equipment showed contractors investing across the spectrum. The presence of trucks at multiple weight classes highlighted the logistical demands of modern construction. As Equipment Innovation Trends From the 2017 Contractors Top shows, these trends continued to evolve in subsequent years.
- Invest in versatile machines that earn their keep across multiple project phases. Compact excavators and loaders dominated because contractors wanted equipment that could handle varied work.
- Consider total cost of ownership. The CT681’s integrated design simplified maintenance and warranty coverage, a factor that influenced its popularity.
- Do not ignore technology investments. The Cat B15Q proved contractors actively sought digital tools for site productivity.
- Match equipment size to project scope. The range of excavator sizes on the list showed there is no single best machine, only the right machine for the work.
- Brand reliability matters. Manufacturers with strong dealer networks and proven support infrastructure earned contractor trust.
The equipment market of early 2014 was defined by an industry emerging from recession and investing in modernization. Trucks, excavators, loaders, generators, and smartphones all had roles to play in building a more productive jobsite. The most successful product categories were those solving real, practical problems faced by construction professionals every day.