Miniature Earthmover

In 1995, International Machinery Corporation (IMC), Mt. Juliet, Tennessee completed the research and development phase of its first product-a miniaturized, remotely-controlled earthmover-and embarked on preparations to begin producing the machine late in 1996. The product is a 1/8 scale fully functional replica of the world's largest earthmover, the 220,000-pound Caterpillar® D11N Track-type Tractor. Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Illinois granted IMC trademark product approval and a worldwide license to manufacture and market 1/8 scale replicas of Caterpillar products.

The Cat® D11N weighs only 340 pounds, has miniature hydraulic and transmission systems, and is powered by an IMC-designed seven horsepower, V4 four-stroke cycle engine which, says IMC, is the world's first miniature industrial internal combustion engine. The 45-pound engine, which will power all IMC products, is smaller, quieter and has less vibration than single cylinder engines of comparable power output.

IMC contemplates marketing the miniature earthmover to users of heavy equipment, particularly Cat equipment, such as fleet owners/contractors and operators of equipment for mining, construction and demolition work. The company sees broad potential for sales of the engine to Original Equipment Manufacturers for such applications as boat propulsion, light landscaping machinery, snow grooming vehicles, powered scale model vehicles, go carts and transportation for the handicapped.

A market area of particular interest to IMC is the special equipment category wherein the vehicle's small size, miniaturized water-cooled engine and remote control capability permit its use in confined spaces and in environments considered hazardous to humans. Prospective customers in this category include the military services and other federal agencies, law enforcement organizations, and waste management firms.

The initial products are operated by radio remote control. However, the company envisions large-scale export sales of the 1/8 scale Cat D11N and subsequent products; because of varying restrictions on radio frequency use among foreign countries, IMC is developing infrared remote control capabilities with technical assistance from NASA under multiple Technology Transfer Agreements; Marshall Space Flight Center is the cognizant NASA organization.

IMC plans to build upon the 1/8 scale Cat D11N experience by introducing other innovative systems, both Cat machine replicas and non-Cat products. Cat-licensed replicas planned for early introduction include the 994 Front-Wheel Loader and the 793 Off-Road Mining Truck. Additionally, IMC has preliminary designs for eight non-Cat products for military use in weapon systems, surveillance systems and explosive ordnance disposal.

®Caterpillar and Cat are registered trademarks of Caterpillar Inc.

Yeah the Bastards took allot of peoples money including mine! and went bankrupt. and now they have there own personal little toy paid for!!!! Cat should have seud there asses and made them return the downpayments! Thats the system though, greedy bastards! They can build them in Germany and other countrys but not here.

i did not know that, It would be nice to see it work and intresting to see how much "pushing" it could acutally do. I guess i will be asked to remove the post now.

Erik,I was looking into getting one of them but then I had heard about them taking some money from fellows and not comming through with the product.I stayed in touch with them for a few years and it seemed like it was going nowhere.I even had some pictures of the tractor.Mike Durkin

I did a job on a church in Clarksville TN. back in 1993 and one of the committee members of the church owned a foundry there. We went on a tour of his facility and I noticed literature on the D11N in his drafting room. I questioned him about the model and he said that they were going to produce the castings needed for the D11. But we all know now this never happened:mad:

for those who were looking at buying one what was the asking price?

In early1990's,The price was 3500.00. I had a 100.00 downpayment on Serial #35. (still do actualy). Finally got 1500.00 from me when I was assured that manufacture was positivily a go. The last I heard was from the District Attorney from Tennesee. At that time some money was in a escrow account and could be retrieved. I held on to the hope that they would straighten things out and get it together. I was assured that the people who got on at the ground floor would be guarenteed the original price after the price went way up. (no such luck.) It was always something, Mostly the lack of operation capital and fueding board members. The revised price for the second go round was close to 10,000.00 i think. I do have 2 promotional vidieos of the thing, and two track links as key chains.

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Don't know about that dozer, but could it be like this one ?


It takes a little time before they move it.

Listen to sounds of the engine, and acceleration,
and timing of movement.

It would work better if the guy could run it a little better.

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That sure looks like the one. Probably another prototype.

"chriscokid" wrote:

i did not know that, It would be nice to see it work and intresting to see how much "pushing" it could acutally do. I guess i will be asked to remove the post now.

Erik, so long as the language doesn't get too salty, I think this is a good piece of information for others who would otherwise be inclined to invest their hard earned money. So sorry to those of you who have been hoodwinked.