April 1, 2020 - The mining truck produced by Caterpillar Inc. in Decatur has been named the “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois” at the conclusion of an eight-week contest online coordinated by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.

The 797F vehicle was announced as the winner of the Makers Madness bracket-style contest on Wednesday. It was one of more than 260 Illinois products nominated in the contest. More than 300,000 votes were cast during the competition.

“The Caterpillar 797F Mining Truck is a great example of American manufacturing, innovation and ingenuity and is well-deserving of the title of Coolest Thing Made in Illinois. Designed for mining and heavy-duty construction, this iconic truck is rugged and dependable,” said Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, in a prepared release. “While this contest began before we started to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Makers Madness has been a great way to showcase the wonderful products made in Illinois and the great career opportunities manufacturing offers. Every day, our manufacturers are making life-saving products, equipping first responders and ensuring our food supply remains safe and strong.”

The vehicle, the world’s largest mechanical truck, is more than 23 feet tall, has six 13-foot tires and a top speed of 40mph. It can haul 400 tons on a single trip.

“It is an honor having the Caterpillar 797F mining truck chosen as the Coolest Thing Made in Illinois. This acknowledgment is a direct reflection of the men and women who show up every day to make the best products in the world for the customers we serve,” said Tina Czerwinski, Caterpillar’s Decatur facility manager, in a prepared statement. “I am very proud of our team.”

The company and the remaining 15 finalists, will be recognized at an event later this year.