Caterpillar Announces 8 New Track Loaders and Skid Steers

CAT 285 SKid Steer

The latest machine launch includes giant-sized Cat 285 CTLs with unique dozer-style undercarriages 

Cat’s skid steers and track loaders got quite a makeover this week. At an Illinois press event, hosted at Caterpillar’s Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center, the company announced four new skid steers and four new track loaders under its “next generation” badge, including Cat’s biggest track loaders ever (the Cat 285 and Cat 285 XE), which boast a 12.5-ft lift height, the highest in the industry. The 285s are imposing pieces of iron, fitted with unique dozer-style undercarriages, impressive rated operating capacities (4,816 lbs on the 285 XE) and the option of the industry’s-only scarifier attachment off the back.   

“As you look at some comparisons of what other manufacturers offer, we believe that we’re in a special class,” says Dante Thomas, skid steer loader and compact track loader marketing manager at Cat. “Our 285 and 285 XE machines have 146 in. of lift height, which is unique in the industry, but all the machines we’re introducing on this next gen platform have more lift height. We have increases of 3 to 8 in. on the other models.”

E-Bar Undercarriage

It’s certainly not just the big lift heights and giant-sized models, but it also sort of is. The theme of these next gen units is “more.” These new track loaders bring lots more performance specs, special features and unique technologies. First off, the four biggest next generation CTL models (the 275, 275 XE, 285 and 285 XE) feature a new E-bar (equalizer bar) undercarriage that provides increased stability — especially in dirt work like grading and dozing. The E-bar undercarriage comes from Cat dozer DNA, delivering the benefits of a rigid-style undercarriage design when lifting heavy loads or using heavy attachments like mulchers and grader blades, while simultaneously providing the benefits of an oscillating undercarriage when encountering uneven terrain or obstacles.

“We talk about comfort and performance going hand in hand,” explains Jayesh Menon, new product introduction manager with Cat, discussing the E-bar undercarriage “We wanted the machine to feel planted as it is lifting and raising bigger loads higher. A big part of being comfortable has to do with expecting it to be stable. The equalizer system was our way of trying to be able to provide the comfort, the stability and the performance that these machines can deliver.”

These four new next gen track loaders with their unique undercarriage join the 255 and 265 CTLs announced last year (the only two next gen units for sale right now). The 255 and 265 still use a torsion axle suspension system. The company also announced four new Cat skid steers — the Cat 250, 260, 270 and 270 XE — marking the introduction of the next generation design to the skid steer loader lineup.

All Vertical Lift

All these skid steers and track loaders will be vertical-lift units, and Cat will no longer produce radial-lift models.

“In terms of breakout forces and other benefits between a radial-lift and a vertical-lift machine, the gap has closed so much that the predominant machines being built today in the industry are all moving toward vertical lift,” says Thomas. “It’s not just us. We’re also seeing that trend in the industry overall.”

Big Boosts in Power, Lift and ROC  

Compared to the current Cat D3 Series skid steers and track loaders, next gen models amp up all the performance specifications. Engine power and torque, lift height, breakout forces, stability, hydraulic capability and tech options have all increased or amplified. Cat engines power the heart of all Cat track loaders, boasting significant torque increases compared to previous units—13 percent for the 250 and 260, 35 percent for the 270, and 50 percent for the 275 and 285. All next gen units also feature a redesigned engine compartment that places the engine and cooling package lower into the frame for improved stability, giving the operator confidence in lifting, handling and placing heavy loads.

CAT 275

“Lowering the engine also allows us to have more visibility out of the back,” says Thomas. “It helps to improve the center of gravity as well.”

The Cat C3.6TA engine powers the four new CTL models, which meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final/EU Stage V emissions standards. The Cat C2.8T engine powers the 250 and 260 skid steers, while the Cat 3.6TA engine powers the 270 and 270 XE.

As mentioned earlier, all these units offer bigger lift heights but also increases in breakout forces and rated operating capacity (ROC).

Here’s a Breakdown of Upgraded Specs

  • The Cat 250 features a lift height of 124 in., 3 in. more than the 242D3, a 36 percent increase in tilt, 26 percent increase in lift breakout forces and 21 percent increase in ROC.
  • Offering a maximum lift height of 132 in., the 260 has 7 in. more lift height than the 262D3, 27 percent increase in tilt, 24 percent increase in lift breakout forces and a 17 percent increase in ROC.
  • With 6.4 in. more lift height than the 272D3, the 270 and 270 XE deliver a maximum lift height of 133.5 in. plus 11 and 5 percent increases in tilt and lift breakout forces, respectively.
  • The 275 and 275 XE CTLs have a lift height of 134.4 in., 8 in. higher than the 299D3, plus a 37 percent increase in tilt breakout force and a 19 percent increase in ROC.
  • Expanding the Cat skid steer and CTL line into the biggest size class, the Cat 285 and the 285 XE deliver a lift height of 146 in. and tilt breakout force of 13,920 lbs. The 285 has an ROC of 4,719 lbs with a counterweight while the 285 XE has an ROC of 4,816 lbs with a counterweight.

Hydraulic Options and Smart Attachments

Attachments make a skid steer or compact track loader. The common approach to buying a tool carrier today is to pick your attachment first and work backwards to find the right host machine to run the implement efficiently. Cat next gen loaders offer lots of options to be that ideal host machine.

CAT 260

There are three auxiliary hydraulic flow options on all next gen track loaders — standard, high flow and high flow XPS (the latter a Cat exclusive) — each configured in a new closed-center auxiliary hydraulic system. There’s also the possibility to upgrade after purchase. The factory ships Cat 250, 260, 270, and 275 machines equipped with standard hydraulic flow as “high-flow ready,” which operators can activate via a software-enabled attachment (SEA) for on-machine or remote activation. This activation increases hydraulic flow to 30 gpm for the 250, 260, and 270 models and to 34 gpm for the 275 at standard hydraulic system pressure.

Often, standard flow is enough for most applications. Compared to previous models, the standard hydraulic system pressure increased 5 percent to 3,500 psi in next generation models. All of these next gen Cat loaders can also use the company’s unique Smart Attachments on just standard hydraulics. These Smart Attachments (backhoe, dozer, grader blade and cold planer) allow cool automation (like grade control or creep control) and/or change the way the joysticks operate (like converting to a dozer configuration for blade work).

“When you plug in the attachment to the machine, like the smart dozer blade or the smart grader blade, there’s a handshake,” says Thomas. “There’s a recognition that this is a special attachment, and then your right-hand joystick instead of it controlling your lift and your tilt function, the right-hand joystick controls your blade movement. That’s just one example.”

Rear Hydraulics and Advanced Joysticks

Another unique attachment option comes with Cat offering rear aux hydraulics off the back of next generation units. The company previewed a hydraulically operated winch and an extremely cool scarifier (an attachment often seen off the rear of a motor grader).

“In the past, rear auxiliary hydraulics were typically used in an application like the nursery space in terms of having a tree spade or something where you want to have stabilizers to be able to give you a little bit more leverage,” says Thomas. “But over time, other features and other options have come up in the land management space. The winch has become a rear attachment of choice in that space. When we look at the scarifier, we begin to see the expanding capabilities and opportunities of skid steer loaders and particularly compact track loaders just in terms of what they can do.”

CAT 285

Whether controlling attachments off the back or front, there are joystick options to operate and increase productivity. New advanced joysticks, first announced last year with launch of the 255 and 265 CTLs, have a crazy number of buttons and toggles, allowing operators to control multiple auxiliary hydraulic functions, backup camera, stereo sound levels and way more. The advanced joysticks integrate with the advanced touchscreen monitor so all machine function controls and adjustments can be made (using the joysticks) without the operator removing their hands from the controls. Speaking of the cab.

The Cat Cab Experience

Cat’s other theme besides more is bigger. Cat’s cab is a lot bigger, especially for your feet. All next generation models feature a larger cab design with 22 percent more overall volume and 26 percent additional foot space. There’s a bigger monitor. Next generation loaders are equipped with either a 5-in. standard LCD monitor or a big 8-in. advanced touchscreen monitor, which can be paired with an optional side and backup cameras, offering both rear and side views. There’s also the option of a normal backup camera.  

The standard monitor features Bluetooth connectivity and supports functionality for rearview camera feed, creep control, job clock, maintenance reminders and it works in 32 languages. The advanced touchscreen monitor provides a higher level of control over standard monitor functionality, offers advanced radio control, supports the multicamera option and also works in all those 32 languages. There are also bigger seat options.

Seat Options and Telematics

“We have a new style seat,” smiles Thomas. “We have a heated and ventilated seat that especially on days like today [nearing 100 degrees] will help the operator feel cooler, and then on colder days it would circulate heat through it.”

CAT 270

A range of new mechanical and air-ride suspension seat options are available, including a high-comfort seat that is both ventilated and heated. New auto temperature control plus vent outlet positioning above the operator help the new HVAC system to quickly cool the cab’s interior. This was finely displayed outside at the press event, which was very hot.

Entering and exiting next generation loaders is much easier thanks to their low entry points. The operator can now open the cab door without the lift arms being fully lowered to the frame stops. As previewed on the 255 and 265, the door can also be completely removed for alfresco operation. A simple two-step door removal process allows operators to quickly take it off without tools.

Not necessarily in the cab, all next gen models have the option of Cat Product Link Elite telematics, which tracks machine hours, location and asset utilization, providing fault code details and delivering advanced monitoring and machine health remotely via the VisionLink interface. Additionally, Product Link Elite provides Remote Flash and Remote Troubleshooting capabilities and quickly enables the remote activation of the SEA high-flow feature I mentioned earlier.

The Voice of the Customer

Cat’s next generation skid steers and compact track loaders will eventually total 10 units. While the 255 and 265 CTLs are currently for sale on dealer lots around America now, these eight new models will go into production at the end of 2024 and be released to dealers throughout 2025. To help sustain your patience while you wait, take comfort in the fact these next gen models will bring completely new designs to the skid steer and track loader space. These 10 new machines bring new levels of technology and performance to the industry, never seen before in some cases, and the majority of these changes were driven by you.

“We’re really proud of the customer’s input,” says Menon. “They’ve been part of this design development journey all the way through, and we’ve really benefited from the feedback of customers, building that into the design of the machine. In the end, we hope to exceed the expectations of what customers expect out of these next generation machines.”

Here Are Some Photos from the Machine Launch…

Cat 285 and other new equipment
Attachment in a CAT Skid Steer
Winch
Cat 285
Cat Rear Auxiliary Box