Caterpillar has introduced the Cat 253 compact track loader, a machine positioned between the Cat 249D3 and the Cat 255 and aimed at grading and material handling. According to the company, the 253 offers a 2,006-pound (910-kilogram) rated operating capacity and an operating weight of 9,343 pounds (4,238 kilograms), a combination intended to make transport between job sites easier.
The loader builds on the Cat 259D3 foundation and adds a next-generation, one-piece undercarriage with rigid, frame-mounted axles. Four fully independent axles mount directly to the frame, a layout Cat says supports traction and stability when lifting and grading heavy loads. New 15-inch (380-millimeter) general-duty C-Pattern tracks are designed to increase ground engagement and deliver grip in mud and other soft underfoot conditions. The redesigned one-piece track roller frame, similar to the one used on the 255, is intended to add stability and operator confidence.
Two cab configurations and hydraulics
Customers can choose between a canopy and a sealed, pressurized cab. Hydraulic output differs by configuration:
- Standard flow: 20 gpm at 3,336 psi (76 lpm at 23,000 kPa) on canopy models.
- High flow: 30 gpm at 3,336 psi (112 lpm at 23,000 kPa) on cab models.
Both configurations include a standard high-back, heated air-ride seat with adjustable joystick pods. Operators can switch joystick command patterns between ISO and H to match their preference. An electronically controlled Cat 3.3B engine delivers horsepower and torque while meeting U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/Stage V emissions standards, and a two-speed transmission provides higher travel speeds.
Service access and controls
A tilt-up, one-piece cab design provides quick access to under-cab components, while ground-level access to daily service and routine maintenance points is intended to improve productivity. Inside, a full-colour, 5-inch (127-millimeter) LCD screen with soft-touch buttons delivers operating control. Purpose-built kits allow aftermarket customization to expand design flexibility.
Technology features
Cat says its technology is intended to advance efficiency and safety on the job site, with the 253's connected worksite capability aimed at streamlining equipment maintenance. Standard features include 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 that automates repetitive tasks to increase operating efficiency; and creep speed technology that helps prevent overspeeding for a smooth, precise finish in applications such as cold planing or fine grading.
Positioning in the line-up
Zach Waite, commercial director, Caterpillar Industry Solutions, said that each model in the 8,000- to 10,000-pound compact track loader class features a unique undercarriage design engineered to optimize performance across a wide range of applications, and that adding the 253 to the line gives customers another solution for meeting their toughest challenges. Combining the one-piece next-generation undercarriage with independent rigid, frame-mounted axles, he said, 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 models, and that the C-Pattern track design gives customers a productive all-around machine able to perform 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.