Caterpillar has unveiled the new Cat 253 compact track loader (CTL) at ConExpo in Las Vegas, giving visitors their first look at a machine designed to fill a gap in the manufacturer’s existing lineup.
The 253 sits between the 249D3 and the 255 in Caterpillar’s CTL range, offering an operating weight of 8,893 lb (4,034 kg) and a rated operating capacity of 2,023 lb (918 kg). According to Dustin Adams, product commercial manager for compact track loaders at Caterpillar, the new model is a direct response to customer feedback.
“We introduced our 255 just a couple of years ago and it is a great machine, but it’s a little bit larger than what our customers needed for dirt work,” says Adams. “They told us they need a smaller machine, and we’ve listened.”
The defining feature of the 253 is its redesigned undercarriage, which combines rigid, frame-mounted axles with a next-generation one-piece undercarriage frame. Unlike suspended undercarriage designs, this configuration is intended to maximise traction and ground contact, delivering what Adams describes as exceptional push power for a machine of its size. Early customer feedback has been enthusiastic, with operators reporting significant improvements in the volume of material they can move.
The 253 is powered by an electronically controlled Cat 3.3B turbo diesel engine meeting U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and Stage V emission standards. It comes standard with 15-in (380-mm) C-Pattern tracks – a new general-duty track design that Caterpillar describes as suitable for nearly any working conditions, bridging the performance gap between its existing BAA and black track options. The C-Pattern track will also be made available as an aftermarket option for the 249, 259D3, 255 and eventually the 265.
Caterpillar is keeping the configuration options deliberately straightforward, offering just two variants. A canopy machine comes with a mechanical coupler and standard flow hydraulics delivering 20 gpm (75.7 lpm) at 3,336 psi (230 bar), while a cab version features a hydraulic coupler and high flow hydraulics rated at 30 gpm (112 lpm) at the same pressure, enabling the machine to run higher-demand hydromechanical attachments.
The cab variant features a one-piece sealed and pressurised enclosure with adjustable joystick pods. Standard productivity features include dual self-level, return-to-dig/attachment positioner, float, creep and two-speed, allowing operators to perform repetitive tasks efficiently.
Adams noted that the machine on show at ConExpo is a prototype, making this its public debut. While it is built on the company’s established D3 series architecture rather than the newer next-gen platform, he described it as a deliberate and considered approach to getting the right product to market quickly.
“It’s a perfect marriage between D3 architecture and next-gen componentry,” says Adams.
Production is scheduled to begin within months, with commercial availability in North America planned for the second half of 2026. Expansion into other regions is expected in 2027.
Hayden Murray, global director of compact products at Caterpillar, said the three machines being previewed at ConExpo – which also include the new TUL100 compact utility loader and 301 CR micro mini excavator – reflect the company’s commitment to developing solutions both for today’s worksites and for the challenges ahead.
