Jewell Attachments Turn Caterpillar Machines into Specialized Demolition Tools

[MikePhua]

Jewell Manufacturing’s Role in Heavy Equipment Customization
Jewell Manufacturing, based in Washington State, has built a reputation for designing and fabricating high-performance attachments for excavators, especially those used in demolition, forestry, and scrap handling. While not affiliated directly with Caterpillar, Jewell specializes in customizing Cat machines—particularly large excavators like the 330, 345, and 365 series—by outfitting them with purpose-built booms, sticks, and guarding packages.
Founded in the 1980s, Jewell started as a small fabrication shop and grew into a niche powerhouse by focusing on structural integrity, operator safety, and application-specific engineering. Their attachments are often seen on machines working in steel mills, urban demolition zones, and log yards across North America.
Terminology note:

• High-reach boom: An extended boom configuration that allows excavators to reach multi-story structures during demolition.
  
• Material handler conversion: Modifying a standard excavator to handle scrap, logs, or bulk material with specialized hydraulics and guarding.
  

What Makes Jewell Attachments Unique
Jewell’s engineering philosophy centers on reinforcement and adaptability. Their booms and sticks are constructed from high-tensile steel, often with internal gussets and external plating to withstand torsional stress. Unlike OEM parts, Jewell components are designed for extreme duty cycles and oversized tools.
Key features include:

• Oversized pins and bushings for longevity
  
• Custom hydraulic plumbing for auxiliary tools
  
• Cab guarding with polycarbonate panels and steel mesh
  
• Counterweight modifications for balance with long-reach setups
  
• Stick-mounted shears, grapples, and magnets
  

One operator in Chicago recalled using a Jewell-modified Cat 345C to dismantle a six-story concrete structure. The machine’s reach exceeded 80 feet, and the reinforced boom showed no signs of flexing even under heavy hammering.
Compatibility and Installation Considerations
Jewell attachments are typically installed by certified dealers or heavy equipment shops. While designed to fit Caterpillar platforms, they require careful matching of hydraulic flow, counterweight specs, and structural load paths.
Recommendations for installation:

• Verify machine model and serial number compatibility
  
• Upgrade hydraulic pumps if tool flow exceeds OEM specs
  
• Reinforce undercarriage if operating in uneven terrain
  
• Use factory torque specs for pin and boom connections
  
• Recalibrate machine control systems for new geometry
  

Terminology note:

• Auxiliary hydraulics: Additional hydraulic circuits used to power attachments like shears or grapples.
  
• Load path: The route through which force travels in a structure, critical for boom and stick design.
  

Applications in Demolition and Scrap Handling
Jewell-equipped machines are commonly used in:

• Urban building demolition
  
• Steel mill slag handling
  
• Auto salvage yard operations
  
• Forestry log loading
  
• Port bulk material transfer
  

In Detroit, a contractor used a Jewell-modified Cat 365B with a 4,000-pound shear to process bridge girders. The machine operated 12 hours a day for six months without structural failure, thanks to Jewell’s boom reinforcement and cooling upgrades.
Maintenance and Longevity
Jewell attachments are built for durability, but regular maintenance is essential:

• Inspect welds and gussets every 500 hours
  
• Grease pins and bushings daily
  
• Monitor hydraulic hose wear near articulation points
  
• Replace wear plates and cutting edges as needed
  
• Use high-flow filters for auxiliary circuits
  

A fleet manager in Oregon reported that his Jewell-equipped Cat 330D lasted over 9,000 hours in a scrap yard with minimal downtime, outperforming standard OEM configurations.
Market Position and Industry Impact
Jewell Manufacturing doesn’t compete with Caterpillar—it complements it. By offering specialized solutions, Jewell enables contractors to push the limits of standard machines. Their work has influenced other fabricators and even OEMs to offer factory high-reach and material handler packages.
While exact sales figures are proprietary, industry estimates suggest Jewell has outfitted thousands of machines across the U.S. and Canada. Their reputation is strongest in demolition and forestry, where customization is often the difference between profit and failure.
Conclusion
Jewell attachments transform Caterpillar excavators into precision tools for demanding environments. With reinforced structures, tailored hydraulics, and application-specific engineering, these upgrades extend machine capability far beyond factory specs. For contractors tackling complex demolition or heavy material handling, Jewell offers not just steel—but strategy.