Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill., says that 69 of its machinery models are on allocation and it expects availability of new equipment to remain “tight” throughout 2006. In its first-quarter results announced on April 24, the firm reports a record $9.4 billion in sales, 13% over the same quarter last year. Net profit rose 45% to a record $840 million. Cat predicts year-end sales to rise 10%, to $40 billion.