Get to Know the Newest Compact Track Loaders on the Market in 2026

Compact track loaders are workhorses, and manufacturers know it. CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 brought a new generation of CTLs to Las Vegas, each one shaped by the same forces: a changing workforce, growing attachment demands and a push to simplify ownership. Here’s a closer look at what’s new.

Caterpillar 253

Cat’s 253 builds on the beloved 259D3 with a key update: the torsion suspension has been replaced by a rigid, single-piece undercarriage that maximizes track-to-ground contact for stronger push performance, ground engagement and machine stability. The spec process got a makeover too. Rather than overwhelming buyers with configurations and add-ons, Cat distilled the 253 into two setups: an enclosed cab model with high-flow auxiliary hydraulics and a hydraulic quick coupler, and an open canopy version with standard-flow hydraulics and a manual quick coupler. Both come loaded with standard features including two-speed travel, dual self-leveling, creep control, return to dig and a 14-pin electric work tool harness.

“Customers are often overwhelmed by the number of feature packages, options and machine configurations, making it difficult to identify the machine that best fits their needs,” says Dustin Adams, compact marketing manager. “With the Cat 253, we set out to simplify that decision. The result is a machine that is easy to spec, easy to order and ready to perform.” Contractors who need further tailoring can draw on Cat’s catalog of field-installed kits.

Bobcat T86-2 and S86-2

Bobcat reorganized its entire compact loader portfolio at CONEXPO into two categories: Classic, for those who value the simplicity, reliability and familiar Bobcat performance, and Pro, for operators who want to maximize productivity and tailor the machine more closely to their preferences. The Classic lineup delivers selectable joystick controls, two-speed travel, automatic ride control and a deluxe display. The T86-2 compact track loader and S86-2 skid steer lead the Pro lineup at 115 hp with four drive modes: Balanced, Agile, Dynamic and Charged. The upgraded operator station adds a touchscreen display, extra storage and a standard backup camera.

The shift toward more operator-focused equipment reflects changing expectations on today’s jobsites. “We’re also seeing expectations rise around control, ease of use, operator efficiency and comfort,” says Scott Johnson, senior director of construction products. “That’s especially important as the range of experience levels on jobsites continues to widen.” Equipment has to be approachable for newer operators while still meeting the expectations of people who have been running machines for years. “The best solutions work quietly in the background. They help operators be more efficient, make setup easier and provide useful information without becoming a distraction.”

Develon DTL26 and DTL30

Develon’s two new CTLs lead with a maintenance story: both the DTL26 and DTL30 run a D24 diesel engine that stays below the 74-hp threshold requiring a selective catalytic reduction system, eliminating DEF entirely. No frozen fluid on winter mornings, no extra consumable expense. “They were tired of dealing with fluid storage in extreme temperatures,” says Andy Jeong, product manager at Develon. “They wanted lower operating costs and simplified maintenance.”

The operator experience is equally considered: one of the widest cabs on the market, minimized A-pillars, a standard rearview camera and an optional 270-degree around view monitor. Smart Assist automation, including return to dig, bucket shake and auto self-leveling, helps newer operators run attachments with veteran-level precision. Optional 27-gpm high-flow auxiliary hydraulics and an in-cab hydraulic quick coupler handle demanding attachments without leaving the seat. The DTL26 is rated at 2,600 lbs ROC; the DTL30 steps up to 3,000 lbs. Both are backed by more than 200 dealer locations across North America.

Kubota SVL110-3

The SVL110-3 is Kubota’s answer for contractors who need to move serious material. At 112.7 gross hp and 12,322 lbs, it pushes and carries dense, heavy loads with fast cycle times courtesy of a closed-center hydraulic system. The cab is built for long days: sealed construction, high-back heated and air-ride seat, 7-in. LCD monitor and Kubota’s Shockless Ride system. Creep mode, a first for the Kubota track loader lineup, reduces operator fatigue during grading and attachment work at controlled speeds.

Anna Kitzerow, CTL product manager at Kubota, points to a broader market trend: “A majority of updates this year have been focused on machines within the 2,700-lb ROC category, centered in areas that support attachment operation and technology that makes operating easier for novice operators.” She adds that dealer support remains central to the Kubota pitch: “Smart updates, simple-to-use controls and pilot controls are the backbone to the Kubota CTL lineup. Those features paired with a strong local dealer network make Kubota a reliable choice.”

Yanmar TL25RP, TL40RP and TL50RP

Yanmar Compact Equipment North America introduced three new small-frame CTLs at CONEXPO and announced their commercial availability in July 2026. All three have a compact footprint, tow behind a standard truck and are built on the patented ASV Posi-Track fully suspended torsion-axle undercarriage, engineered for exceptional flotation and low ground pressure on soft, uneven or sensitive terrain where conventional steel-embedded undercarriages can struggle.

The models scale in capability: the TL25RP, at 48 in. wide, 3,951 lbs and an 800-lb ROC, targets landscapers and light construction crews where surface protection and maneuverability matter most. The TL40RP, at 48 in. wide, 4,030 lbs and a 930-lb ROC, adds horsepower and hydraulic output for a wider range of applications. The TL50RP, at 58.5 in. wide, 5,205 lbs and a 1,400-lb ROC, handles the most demanding work. The trio complements Yanmar’s existing steel-embedded CTL lineup, giving dealers and contractors the choice of undercarriage technology suited to their terrain and application.

JCB 250T

JCB debuted the 250T at the ARA Show in early 2026, entering what Lee Tice, senior product manager of compact equipment, calls “the largest and still-growing compact track loader segment.” The machine’s defining features are the same ones JCB has built its compact loader reputation on: single-arm boom, side-door entry and 270-degree visibility. Bringing them to this size class was, in Tice’s words, “a natural next step.” The reasoning is practical. Machines in this segment frequently land in rental fleets, in the hands of operators with varying experience levels. Side-door entry eliminates the over-the-attachment climb that’s one of the more common causes of skid steer injuries, and the sightlines from the single-arm design give less-experienced operators better awareness on tight or busy jobsites.

Three features stand out to Tice beyond the visibility story. First, transportability: at 9,870 lbs, the 250T tows behind a 3/4-ton pickup without a CDL. “For rental customers and contractors who are constantly moving between jobsites, that simplifies transportation and helps keep the machine productive,” he says. Second, low ground pressure: with 15.7-in.-wide tracks and ground bearing pressure under 5 psi, the 250T can work on finished or prepared surfaces without causing damage, a meaningful advantage for residential construction and landscaping. Third, the 250T is engineered and manufactured in Savannah, Georgia, alongside JCB’s full North American compact loader line. “Having our engineering and manufacturing teams here in North America puts us close to the customers using these machines every day,” Tice notes. “The 250T is a great example of that customer-focused approach.” JCB also has the larger 290T in development for heavier applications.

Hyundai HT30

HD Construction Equipment Hyundai North America’s HT30 is suited for a variety of landscaping, residential contracting, municipal and residential applications. The 72-gross-hp machine is available from the factory in any of three versions: cab with high-flow, cab with standard flow and canopy with standard flow. As for specs, the HT30 cab version has a ROC of 3,072 lbs and an operating weight of 11,141 lbs. The canopy version has a ROC of 2,900 lbs and an operating weight of 10,448 lbs. Hyundai designed all versions to lift to a pin height of 10 ft, 8 in.

“The medium-frame HT30 gives customers across a range of applications the power, lifting capacity and versatility they need without buying more machine than their jobs require,” says Jason Taylor, Hyundai’s product manager for compact equipment.

The HT30 was designed and built with operator comfort and productivity in mind. For example, the spacious, one-piece, pressurized ROPS/FOPS cab versions also include standard features like torsion suspension for a smooth ride and heat and A/C delivered through eight well-placed vents. Operators will appreciate the heated, air-ride seat that’s also standard, as well as Bluetooth and the 8-in. smart touch display. “The operator is the most expensive ‘feature’ on the machine, and a comfortable operator is a more productive operator,” Taylor says.

Trends in 2026

The throughline across every new CTL in 2026 is workforce. Manufacturers are building for a jobsite where experienced operators are harder to find and new ones need to get productive faster. Smarter automation, intuitive controls and simplified spec processes are the industry’s collective response. Alongside that, attachment versatility and maintenance simplicity, whether it’s DEF elimination, in-cab quick couplers or towable designs that cut logistics overhead, are shaping what contractors expect from the next generation of compact iron.