Caterpillar has added the Cat 253 compact track loader to its line-up, 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 is built on the Cat 259D3 foundation and joins the 8,000- to 10,000-pound compact track loader class. Cat places it between the Cat 249D3 and the 255, giving customers what the manufacturer calls a productive all-around machine for gravel, dirt, hard surfaces, turf, snow and unfinished terrain.
Undercarriage and tracks
Central to the 253 is a next-generation one-piece undercarriage with rigid frame-mounted axles, which Cat says is designed to support traction and stability when handling heavy loads. Four fully independent axles mount directly to the frame to enhance grading capability. The machine also adopts a redesigned one-piece track roller frame similar to the 255, which Cat says contributes to stability and operator confidence.
New 15-inch (380-millimetre) general-duty C-Pattern tracks are intended to increase ground engagement and deliver strong grip in mud and other soft underfoot conditions. Cat notes that the track types on the 255 and 253 are interchangeable, giving customers more options.
Hydraulics, cab and comfort
Hydraulic flow depends on the configuration. Canopy models come standard with a standard-flow system rated at 20 gpm at 3,336 psi (76 lpm at 23,000 kPa), while cab models come standard with high-flow hydraulics rated at 30 gpm at 3,336 psi (112 lpm at 23,000 kPa). Customers can choose between a canopy or a sealed and pressurized cab, the latter carrying the high-flow specification.
Operator comfort features include a standard high-back, heated air-ride seat with adjustable joystick pods. Operators can also switch joystick command patterns between ISO and H patterns. A tilt-up, one-piece cab design provides quick access to under-cab components, and daily service and routine maintenance points are reachable at ground level, which Cat says helps improve productivity. A full-colour 5-inch (127-millimetre) LCD screen with soft-touch buttons provides operating control, and higher travel speeds come via a two-speed transmission.
Engine and technology
Power comes from an electronically controlled Cat 3.3B engine, which Cat says delivers high horsepower and torque while meeting U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/Stage V emissions standards.
The 253 also carries a set of technology features aimed at efficiency and safety, which Cat ties to connected worksites and streamlined maintenance. Standard dual self-levelling automatically keeps attachments and material level when raising and lowering, which the company says improves stability and material retention. A return to dig/work tool positioner automates repetitive tasks, while creep speed technology helps prevent overspeeding for a smooth, precise finish in applications such as cold planing or fine grading. Aftermarket customization is possible through purpose-built kits.
Company view
Zach Waite, commercial director at 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, and that adding the 253 gives customers another solution for their toughest challenges. 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, and that the interchangeable track types on the 255 and 253 give customers more options.