The transaction is anticipated to close on August 1.

It is the latest of several such deals as Caterpillar moves to bed down its Bucyrus buy.

One of the oft-asked questions in the wake of the deal was what role would Caterpillar’s dealer network play?

After all, these dealers are well equipped to handle the surface and underground hard rock mining equipment Caterpillar turns out. But longwalls and other underground coal mining kit? That would be a whole different level of investment in terms of staff skills and equipment.

Big Yellow is in similar talks with other Cat dealers that have mining activity in their territories.

While those discussions are taking place, Caterpillar continues to operate the former Bucyrus distribution businesses until the transactions have occurred in a given territory.

Caterpillar resource industries group president Steve Wunning said Cat dealers played a pivotal role in helping it build and maintain its systems of distribution and product support.

Hewitt president and chief executive officer Jim Hewitt said the company was “already making significant investments in facilities and in training to further strengthen that support capability”

“Further, as the transaction takes place, we will be investing heavily in parts and component inventories to help ensure our customers attain optimal availability for their Cat and Bucyrus equipment,” he said.