Caterpillar has added the Cat 253 compact track loader to its 8,000- to 10,000-pound class, describing it as a versatile machine for grading and material handling. The new model carries a 2,006-pound (910-kilogram) rated operating capacity and an operating weight of 9,343 pounds (4,238 kilograms), a combination the company says supports easier transport between job sites.
The 253 builds on the Cat 259D3 foundation and integrates a next-generation one-piece undercarriage with rigid, frame-mounted axles intended to support traction and stability when handling heavy loads. Its four fully independent axles mount directly to the frame to enhance grading capability, while new 15-inch (380-millimetre) general-duty C-Pattern tracks are designed to increase ground engagement and deliver grip in mud and other soft underfoot conditions. The one-piece track roller frame has been redesigned along the lines of the Cat 255.
Operator station and hydraulics
Two operator configurations are offered. Canopy models come with standard-flow hydraulics rated at 20 gpm at 3,336 psi (76 lpm at 23,000 kPa), while cab models are equipped with high-flow hydraulics rated at 30 gpm at 3,336 psi (112 lpm at 23,000 kPa). Buyers can choose between canopy and sealed, pressurized cab designs.
Standard equipment includes a high-back, heated air-ride seat with adjustable joystick pods, and operators can switch joystick command patterns between ISO and H configurations. A full-colour 5-inch (127-millimetre) LCD screen with soft-touch buttons provides operating control, and a two-speed transmission allows higher travel speeds. A tilt-up, one-piece cab design gives quick access to under-cab components, while daily service and routine maintenance points are reachable from ground level.
The 253 is powered by an electronically controlled Cat 3.3B engine that the company says delivers high horsepower and torque while meeting U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/Stage V emissions standards. Purpose-built kits allow aftermarket customization to expand design flexibility.
Technology and positioning
Standard dual self-levelling automatically keeps attachments and material level when raising and lowering, which Caterpillar says supports stability and material retention. A return-to-dig/work tool positioner automates repetitive tasks to raise operating efficiency, and creep speed technology helps prevent overspeeding for a smooth, precise finish in applications such as cold planing or fine grading. The company adds that connected-worksite technology is intended to 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 features a unique undercarriage design engineered to optimize performance across a wide range of applications. Combining the one-piece next-generation undercarriage with independent rigid, frame-mounted axles gives customers a system intended to deliver a stable platform when lifting and grading, he said.
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 work on gravel, dirt, hard surfaces, turf, snow and unfinished terrain. The 255 and 253 track types are interchangeable, he said, giving customers more options.