Don Chestnut, of Don Chestnut Excavating in Carlisle, PA, has been committed to his work since he founded the company in 1989, and this commitment is evident by the long hours he puts into his company every day that have paid off in repeat customers. Chestnut also is committed to Caterpillar, which is evident by his purchases of four Cat track loaders in less than 10 years.

Chestnut’s relationship with Cat started in 1966 when he operated a Cat D6B dozer.

“I’ve been a Cat user all my life … and I’ve had no complaints at all,” said Chestnut, who added that he appreciates a Cat machine’s smooth ride, easy controls, nice balance and easy serviceability.

On his first Caterpillar 953 track loader, he logged 10,000 hours on it by digging basements and completing other residential jobs.

A litter of Cats quickly followed. In 1996, Chestnut bought his second Cat, a 953C, which he operated for more than 4,000 hours. In 1999, he bought his third 953C and put more than 5,000 hours on it before recently trading it in for his fourth 953C from Cleveland Brothers.

But a contractor’s loyalty to a particular manufacturer can be attributed, in part, to his relationship with a dealer and Chestnut said that he can always count on Cleveland Brothers, of Harrisburg, PA.

“It’s people like Roy Reiner [service department supervisor] and Jeff Grimes [credit manager] that make me keep coming back to Cleveland Brothers,” said Chestnut.

There will likely be more Cats in Don Chestnut Excavating’s future. He has three daughters, five granddaughters, and one 13 year-old grandson, Drew Monosmith, who currently washes, greases and fills up the 953C on weekends, and has dreams of taking “Paps” seat on the job site some day.

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