Caterpillar has added the Cat 253 compact track loader to its line, a machine the company describes as a versatile solution for grading and material handling. It sits between the existing Cat 249D3 and 255 models within the 8,000- to 10,000-pound compact track loader class.
The new loader carries a 2,006-pound (910-kilogram) rated operating capacity and an operating weight of 9,343 pounds (4,238 kilograms), figures the manufacturer says support easier transport between job sites.
Undercarriage and grading capability
Developed from the Cat 259D3 foundation, the 253 uses a next-generation one-piece undercarriage with rigid, frame-mounted axles intended to support traction and stability when the machine handles heavy loads. Four fully independent axles mount directly to the frame, a layout Cat says enhances grading capability.
New 15-inch (380-millimetre) general-duty C-Pattern tracks are designed to increase ground engagement and provide strong grip in mud and other soft underfoot conditions. The redesigned one-piece track roller frame is similar to that of the 255 model, which Cat links to stability and operator confidence.
Cabs, hydraulics and controls
Customers can choose between canopy and sealed, pressurised cab configurations. Canopy models come standard with 20-gallon-per-minute (76-litre-per-minute) hydraulic flow at 3,336 psi (23,000 kPa), while cab models are equipped with high-flow hydraulics rated at 30 gpm (112 lpm) at the same pressure.
Operator comfort features include a high-back, heated air-ride seat and adjustable joystick pods, and operators can switch joystick command patterns between ISO and H layouts. A full-colour 5-inch (127-millimetre) LCD screen with soft-touch buttons provides operating control.
Engine, service access and technology
Power comes from an electronically controlled Cat 3.3B engine, which the company says delivers high horsepower and torque while meeting U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and Stage V emissions standards. A two-speed transmission allows higher travel speeds.
Serviceability is addressed through a tilt-up, one-piece cab design that gives quick access to under-cab components, along with ground-level access to daily service and routine maintenance points. Purpose-built kits allow aftermarket customisation.
Cat's connected-worksite technology is also part of the package. Standard dual self-levelling automatically keeps attachments and material level during raising and lowering, while a return-to-dig and work tool positioner automates repetitive tasks. Creep speed technology is intended to prevent overspeeding for a smooth, precise finish in applications such as cold planing or fine grading.
Positioning in the line
Zach Waite, commercial director for Caterpillar Industry Solutions, said each model in the 8,000- to 10,000-pound compact track loader class has a unique undercarriage design engineered to optimise performance across a wide range of applications, and that adding the 253 gives customers another option for demanding work. He said combining the one-piece next-generation undercarriage with independent rigid, frame-mounted axles gives customers a system that helps deliver a stable platform when lifting and grading.
Waite added that the 253 fits between the Cat 249D3 and 255, and that the C-Pattern track design produces a productive all-around machine able to work on gravel, dirt, hard surfaces, turf, snow and unfinished terrain. He also noted that the 255 and 253 track types are interchangeable, giving customers more options.