Caterpillar to Crush Competition, Poll Says

NEW YORK -- Bulldozers, backhoes, loaders, tractors, threshers, cranes, plows, graders, excavators, cherry pickers and blasthole drills. They make the vehicles that, when miniaturized, little kids go crazy over.

Lately, investors have as well. The miniaturized versions they're excited about, however, are shares.

When Caterpillar(CAT Quote) reported a strong third quarter this past week, and when mining-equipment maker Bucyrus did the same, investors took note. Caterpillar especially painted a rosy picture of 2010, while Bucyrus(BUCY Quote) boosted optimism around the heavy-equipment sector by reporting a better-than-expected order flow.

Our poll, then, asked the question of this diverse sector, which makes rolling machinery for the construction, mining and agriculture: Which company will benefit the soonest from any global economic recovery next year?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the big daddy of the group, Caterpillar, took the prize (but only by a slight margin), capturing just below 31% of the vote.

The second-place finisher was a bit more surprising: Manitowoc(MTW Quote), the smallest company in our poll, took almost 21% of your clicks. Perhaps our poll-takers liked the company's diversity. Crane-builder Manitowoc also makes food service equipment used in restaurants and commercial kitchens, like refrigeration systems.

The company will report earnings on Oct. 29, after the market close.

Deere(DE Quote), the iconic farm-equipment manufacturer, which is looking for a rebound in global agricultural activity next year, came in a close third, with nearly 19% of the vote. Deere is slated to release quarterly results on Nov. 25.

The Milwaukee mining twins -- Bucyrus and Joy GlobalCompany (JOYG Quote) -- took in 17% and 11% of the vote (in round numbers), respectively. Joy Global won't announce earnings until December.