Cat has expanded its compact track loader line with the 253, a machine positioned between the 249D3 and 255 models and aimed at grading and material handling. The new unit carries a rated operating capacity of 2,006 pounds (910 kilograms) and an operating weight of 9,343 pounds (4,238 kilograms), figures the company says support easier transport between job sites.
The 253 is built on the Cat 259D3 foundation but adds a next-generation one-piece undercarriage. Four fully independent axles mount directly to the frame, a design intended to support traction and stability when lifting heavy loads while enhancing grading capability. The redesigned one-piece track roller frame, similar to the unit used on the 255, is meant to add stability and operator confidence.
Tracks and underfoot conditions
New 15-inch (380-millimeter) general-duty C-Pattern tracks are designed to increase ground engagement and deliver strong grip in mud and other soft conditions. According to Cat, the C-Pattern track design gives customers a machine that can perform on gravel, dirt, hard surfaces, turf, snow and unfinished terrain, and the 255 and 253 track types are interchangeable.
Configurations, hydraulics and cab
Canopy and sealed, pressurized cab designs are available. Standard-flow hydraulics on canopy models run at 20 gallons per minute at 3,336 psi (76 liters per minute at 23,000 kPa), while cab models come standard with high-flow hydraulics at 30 gpm at 3,336 psi (112 lpm at 23,000 kPa).
Operator comfort items include a standard high-back, heated air-ride seat with adjustable joystick pods, and joystick command patterns that can be switched between ISO and H settings. A full-colour 5-inch (127-millimeter) LCD screen with soft-touch buttons provides operating control. The electronically controlled Cat 3.3B engine meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/Stage V emissions standards, and a two-speed transmission supports higher travel speeds.
- Tilt-up, one-piece cab design for quick access to under-cab components
- Ground-level access to daily service and routine maintenance points
- Purpose-built aftermarket kits to expand design flexibility
Technology features
Cat technology on the 253 includes standard dual self-levelling, which keeps attachments and material level when raising and lowering for better stability and material retention. A return-to-dig/work tool positioner automates repetitive tasks, and creep speed technology helps prevent overspeeding for smooth, precise finishes in applications such as cold planing or fine grading. The company says connected worksites are used to help streamline equipment maintenance.
Zach Waite, commercial director for Caterpillar Industry Solutions, said each model in the 8,000- to 10,000-pound compact track loader class carries a distinct undercarriage design tuned for a wide range of applications. He added that pairing the one-piece next-generation undercarriage with independent, rigid, frame-mounted axles gives customers a system intended to provide a stable platform during lifting and grading, and that the 253 fills the gap between the 249D3 and 255.