A moving monument to MACHINERY

Along bustling Highway 99 in Turlock, CA, stands a two story office building that looks exactly like a giant Caterpillar D5 bulldozer – cab, blade, tracks, smokestacks and all. This striking landmark has served as United Equipment Company’s headquarters since 1976. Conceived by founder Harold Logsdon, the design was intended to stand out amid new commercial developments during Highway 99’s expansion. Today, it still draws attention and serves as a functioning office and showroom for heavy machinery.

Measuring about 66 ft long, 28 ft wide and 21 ft tall, the building replicates the proportions of a Cat D5 – built of steel, aluminum, plywood and even redwood to emulate authentic crawler tracks and a large dozer blade.

That blade cleverly houses water sprinkler equipment, pushing “dirt” composed of carefully placed rocks, which deliver remarkable realism.

Engineering Meets Marketing

United Equipment’s bulldozer structure doubles as a brilliant marketing tool. When completed, its three dimensional scale billboard along Highway 99 generated buzz – and it continues to do so. Owner Mitch Logsdon notes that it still attracts visitors, curious onlookers, and potential clients, helping to raise the brand’s profile. The building has even fooled international equipment executives; reportedly a firm in Saudi Arabia requested shipping specifications, believing it to be a functional machine.

Inside, the structure functions as a modern commercial office. The lobby features displays of global media coverage, reminding visitors that this is a working headquarters – not just a quirky monument.

Heavyweight Operations Behind the Façade

Beyond the remarkable façade lies a serious heavy equipment hub. The company spans a 10 acre facility at 600 WGlenwood Ave, complete with indoor inspection bays, a full-service maintenance shop, and a fleet of field service trucks.

Sales, Rental & Service

As an authorized dealer for major brands – including Caterpillar, Hitachi and Hyundai – United Equipment markets new, certified used, and rental units into the Central Valley. Inventory includes:

■ Crawler excavators such as Cat 326 models for masses of earth-moving operations.

■ Bulldozers, skid steers, and track loaders, maintained onsite and supported by a service division.

■ A selection of attachments – buckets, breakers, compactors – enhancing machine versatility and client productivity .

United Equipment also engages in heavy duty field maintenance, offering scheduled inspections, repairs, and fleet management through both their shop and on-site services via well-equipped service trucks.

Impact on Local Heavy Industry

Turlock and broader Stanislaus County rely on United Equipment to support critical infrastructure and agriculture projects. Local contractors, municipalities, and growers turn to them for equipment that needs to perform reliably under demanding conditions. The in-house maintenance ensures minimal downtime across critical times like harvest seasons or infrastructure upgrades.

The facility’s prominence – both physically and operationally – signals to the region that heavy equipment isn’t just sold here; it’s cared for, modified, and maintained as part of an end to end support system.

Community Landmark with Cultural Clout

Beyond machines, the bulldozer building has become a cultural icon. Families stop by to snap photos, parents wake kids early during long drives to witness it, and it even makes appearances in tourism and local lore. Its presence reinforces the community’s industrial identity and reminds passersby that big machines make big things happen.

“BEYOND MACHINES, THE BULLDOZER BUILDING HAS BECOME A CULTURAL ICON...”

Balancing Form and Function

What makes this facility especially interesting is how art and utility intertwine. The bulldozer form is an attention-grabbing shell, while inside is a 10 acre operation packed with real heavy equipment infrastructure. It’s a testament to creative branding, yes – but also to deep investment in equipment lifecycle – from sales and rental to service and parts.

This structure encapsulates the core of heavy equipment business: robust, reliable hardware, made more potent by strong support and expertise. And it does so with undeniable style.

Conclusion

The United Equipment building in Turlock stands as a dual-purpose landmark: an iconic structure that captivates, and a serious heavy equipment enterprise that delivers.

For Heavy Equipment magazine readers, its value lies in both its marketing ingenuity and the operational muscle it represents. From iconic Cat replicas to the internal fleet and service infrastructure, the facility embodies the full spectrum of earth-moving industry dynamics.

It’s a reminder that in this sector, success hinges not just on the machines – but on the people, the service, and yes, the imagination to build a bulldozer that works as a building. That’s heavy equipment – bold, functional, memorable.