Caterpillar has added four Cat skid steer loaders and two Cat compact track loaders to its next-generation upgrades. It also launched its largest CTL: the Cat 285 and 285 XE. Next-gen skid steers include 250, 260, 270, and 270 XE; CTLs include the 275 and 275 XE.
The upgrades follow on the heels of the Cat 255 and 265 CTL updates from last fall and complete the process for this class of loader. They also usher in a new nomenclature for the machines: skid steer model numbers now end in “0,” and CTL model numbers in “5.”
Equalizer bar strengthens CTL undercarriage
The 275 and 285 compact track loaders, which incorporate an oscillating undercarriage, now have an equalizer bar (E-bar) designed to increase stability for grading and lifting heavy loads. The company describes the bar, which is connected near the front of each undercarriage rail, as a hybrid. It delivers the benefits of a rigid-style undercarriage design when lifting heavy loads or using heavy attachments, while simultaneously providing the benefits of an oscillating undercarriage when encountering uneven terrain or obstacles.
The bar was designed to optimize the torsion axle suspension system of the CTLs in terms of stability, said Jayesh Menon, product manager. “The problem we were trying to solve here is now you’re lifting higher, you’re trying to move more dirt with the increased capability of the machine,” Menon said. The equalizer bar provides that “maximized performance but doesn’t give up on the comfort” of the oscillation features of the undercarriage.
“That bar has a little bit of give so it does provide the suspension aspect,” he said. “But it’s obviously not a torsion axle system, which is what we have on some of our other products. It provided the right balance between performance and ride quality and comfort.”
A redesigned engine compartment places the engine and cooling package lower into the frame for improved stability and greater visibility. The four CTLs are powered by the Cat C3.6TA engine. The 250 and 260 skid steers have the Cat C2.8T engine, and the 270 and 270 XE are powered by the Cat 3.6TA. The new engines maintain horsepower across a wider rpm range compared to the previous engines powering the D3 series. The engines also provide more torque: 13% more for the 250 and 260, 35% for the 270, and 50% for the 275 and 285.
All next-gen loaders are vertical lift, which Caterpillar says reflects the move of the market away from radial-lift machines. Increase in lift height, breakout force, and rated operating capacity result.
- Cat 250: Lift height of 124 inches is 3 inches more than the 242D3; tilt increased 36% and lift breakout force increased 26%; and ROC increased 21%.
- Cat 260: Maximum lift height of 132 inches is 7 inches more than the 262D3. Other improvements include 27% increase in tilt and 24% increase in lift breakout forces, and a 17% increase in ROC.
- Cat 270 and 270 XE: With 6.4 inches more lift height than the 272D3, the CTLs have a maximum lift height of 133.5 inches; plus 11% and 5% increases in tilt and lift breakout forces, respectively.
- Cat 275 and 275 XE: Lift height is 134.4 inches, 8 inches higher than the 299D3. Other improvements include a 37% increase in tilt breakout force and 19% increase in ROC.
- Cat 285 and 285 XE have a lift height of 146 inches and tilt breakout force of 13,920 pounds. The 285 has an ROC of 4,719 pounds with counterweight, and the 285 XE has an ROC of 4,816 pounds with counterweight.
Hydraulics beefed up
Their new closed-center auxiliary hydraulic system allows these machines to operate all Cat Smart Attachments with the standard hydraulics provided. Standard hydraulic system pressure increases 5% to 3,500 psi.
Cat 250, 260, 270, and 275 machines equipped with standard hydraulic flow are shipped from the factory outfitted as “High Flow ready.” High Flow functionality is activated simply via a new software enabled attachment (SEA), permitting on-machine or remote activation of increased hydraulic flow to 30 gpm for the 250, 260, and 270 models and 34 gpm for the 275 at standard hydraulic system pressure.
The High Flow XPS factory option increases auxiliary hydraulic system pressure to 4,061 psi for the 250, 260, 270, 275, and 285 models. Hydraulic flow is increased to 30 gpm on the 250, and flow increases to 34 gpm for the 260, 270, 275, and 285 models.
The High Flow option for 270 XE, 275 XE, and 285 XE loaders increases auxiliary hydraulic system pressure to 4,496 psi and flow to 40 gpm.
A larger cab design provides 22% more overall volume and 26% additional foot space. With a 2.75-inch increase in interior width, the new cab expands footwell-to-ceiling height by 1.8 inches, allows for an additional 1.5 inches of hip room, and 1.1 inches more width between the joysticks.
Next generation loaders have low entry points for easy entering and exiting. The operator can now open the cab door without the lift arms being fully lowered to the frame stops. A simplified two-step door removal process allows operators to quickly remove it without tools. The machines’ lower engine mounting, 59% larger rear window and bigger top window providing 15% increased viewable area combine to improve operator visibility.
Cat 275 Compact Track Loader Specs
- ROC @ 35%: 4,261 lb.
- Operating weight: 12,401 lb.
- Gross power: 111 hp
- Engine torque: 370 lb.-ft.
Cat 275 XE Compact Track Loader Specs
- ROC @ 35%: 4,484 lb.
- Operating weight: 12,705 lb.
- Gross power: 134 hp
- Engine torque: 406 lb.-ft.
Cat 285 Compact Track Loader Specs
- ROC @ 35%: 4,719 lb.
- Operating weight: 13,307 lb.
- Gross power: 111 hp
- Engine torque: 370 lb.-ft.
Cat 285 XE Compact Track Loader Specs
- ROC @ 35%: 4,816 lb.
- Operating weight: 13,669 lb.
- Gross power: 134 hp
- Engine torque: 406 lb.-ft.
Cat 250 Skid Steer Specs
- ROC @ 50%: 2,916 lb.
- Operating weight: 7,829 lb.
- Gross power: 74 hp
- Engine torque: 221 lb.-ft.
Cat 260 Skid Steer Specs
- ROC @ 50%: 3,390 lb.
- Operating weight: 8,476 lb.
- Gross power: 74
- Engine torque: 221
Cat 270 Skid Steer Specs
- ROC @ 50%: 3,914 lb.
- Operating weight: 10,441 lb.
- Gross power: 111 hp
- Engine torque: 370 lb.-ft.
Cat 270 XE Skid Steer Specs
- ROC @ 50%: 4,372 lb.
- Operating weight: 10,847 lb.
- Gross power: 134 hp
- Engine torque: 406 lb.-ft.
