Caterpillar has added the Cat 253 compact track loader to its line, positioning the machine for grading and material handling between the Cat 249D3 and the larger 255 model. The 253 carries a 2,006-pound (910-kilogram) rated operating capacity and an operating weight of 9,343 pounds (4,238 kilograms), figures the company says support easier transport between job sites.
The loader builds on the Cat 259D3 platform and introduces a next-generation one-piece undercarriage. Four fully independent axles mount directly to the frame, a configuration intended to support traction and stability when lifting heavy loads and to enhance grading capability. A redesigned one-piece track roller frame, similar to the design used on the 255, is likewise aimed at stability and operator confidence.
Undercarriage and tracks
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 underfoot conditions. Caterpillar says the C-Pattern track design gives customers a productive all-around machine able to work on gravel, dirt, hard surfaces, turf, snow and unfinished terrain. The 255 and 253 track types are interchangeable, the company adds, giving customers more options.
Operator environment and controls
- Canopy and sealed, pressurized cab designs available to suit customer preference
- Standard-flow hydraulics of 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
- High-back, heated air-ride seat with adjustable joystick pods
- Joystick command patterns adjustable between ISO and H patterns
- Full-colour 5-inch (127-millimeter) LCD screen with soft-touch buttons
- Two-speed transmission for 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
Power comes from an electronically controlled Cat 3.3B engine that Caterpillar says delivers high horsepower and torque while meeting U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/Stage V emissions standards. Aftermarket customization is supported through purpose-built kits to expand design flexibility.
Cat technology is included to advance efficiency and safety on the job site. Standard dual self-levelling automatically keeps attachments and material level when raising and lowering for better stability and material retention, while a return-to-dig/work tool positioner automates repetitive tasks. Creep speed technology is intended to help prevent overspeeding for a smooth, precise finish in applications such as cold planing or fine grading. The company also points to connected worksites as a way to streamline equipment maintenance.
"Each model in the 8,000- to 10,000-lb compact track loader class features a unique undercarriage design engineered to optimize performance across a wide range of applications, and the addition of the 253 to the line gives customers another solution for meeting their toughest challenges," said Zach Waite, commercial director, Caterpillar Industry Solutions. He added that combining the one-piece next-generation undercarriage with independent rigid, frame-mounted axles gives customers a system designed to deliver a stable platform when lifting and grading.
Waite also noted that the new 253 fits well between the Cat 249D3 and 255 models, and that the C-Pattern track design, together with the interchangeability of the 255 and 253 track types, offers customers more options.