With a 2,023-pound rated operating capacity and a next-gen undercarriage, Cat designed its all-new 253 compact track loader to excel at one thing: moving dirt.
The new model has similar operational specs to Cat’s legacy 259D3, placing it squarely between the 249D3 and 255 in the company’s CTL lineup.
Here’s a look at how the specs of the 249D3, 253 and 255 compare:
| 249D3 | 253 | 255 | |
| Operating Weight | 7,831 lb. | 8,893 lb. | 9,578 lb. |
| Rated Operating Capacity | 1,740 lb. | 2,023 lb. | 2,499 lb. |
| Engine | Cat C2.2 | Cat 3.3B | Cat C2.8T |
“This machine, while it is designed and can handle complex hydromechanical work tools, is designed to push dirt,” says Cat Product Marketing Manager Dustin Adams. “That is the sole purpose of this machine, and we have put a lot of time and effort into making this the strongest machine in its size class.”
To get a closer look at Cat’s newest compact track loader, check out Equipment World’s video above with Cat Product Commercial Manager Dustin Adams at ConExpo 2026.
Inside the Cat 253 Compact Track Loader
The 253 is powered by an electronically controlled Cat 3.3B turbo diesel engine. The standard hydraulic-flow performance package offers 20 gallons per minute at 3,336 psi, while the available high-flow performance package provides 30 gpm at 3,336 psi.
“We see a lot of landscapers using this machine for grading work, loading trucks and things like that,” says Adams. “We full expect to see power box rakes, buckets and forks on the front of the machine, which would be a perfect match.”
Powered byThe 253’s redesigned undercarriage features rigid, frame-mounted axles combined with the next generation one-piece undercarriage frame.
Two fixed configuration choices are available:
- An open canopy operator station with a mechanical coupler and standard hydraulics.
- An enclosed cab with air conditioning, a hydraulic coupler and high-flow hydraulics.
Customers can further customize the 253 with aftermarket field-installed kits.
Standard features include:
- Air suspension heated seats
- Electronic work tool harnesses
- Backup camera
- Adjustable joystick pods
- VisionLink Telematics
- C-pattern general-duty, all-purpose tracks
- Dual self-level, return-to-dig/attachment positioner and float functionality
- Creep mode and two-speed
Planned commercial availability for the new 253 CTL is the second half of 2026 in North America, with expansion into other regions in 2027.
Compact track loaders are the most popular construction equipment category by new financed sales in the U.S. Nearly 57,000 units were sold from July 2025 to June 2026, according to Fusable’s EDA equipment finance data.
Caterpillar is the largest manufacturer of CTLs, accounting for 24% of all sales during the period. Its most popular models are the 255 and the 265, putting the new 253 in a competitive sweet spot.
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:11:21
Dustin Adams
It is a performer. We are very, very excited. We've got these in customer hands now, and the feedback we're getting is they can't believe how much dirt they can push with this size machine.
00:00:11:24 - 00:00:31:04
Dustin Adams
Hey, my name is Dustin Adams, product commercial manager for compact track loaders and skid steer loaders. And is my pleasure today to introduce our new 253 compact truck loader. It is the perfect blend of D3 architecture and next gen componentry. And what I mean by that is if you look at it, it looks like a D3 model machine that we've been producing for many, many years now.
00:00:31:10 - 00:00:56:15
Dustin Adams
But what you may not see at a distance is our new next gen undercarriage. That is resemblance of our 255. What advantages that brings to this machine is bringing a rigid undercarriage for independent, rigid axles, paired with a single piece undercarriage provides a tremendous amount of stability. It also offers the operator the ability to put better down pressure on their buckets than their grading attachments, so they have better push power.
00:00:56:16 - 00:01:21:07
Dustin Adams
Because these machines are known for moving dirt and being dirt working machines. It doesn't limit it to just dirt work. We do have on the 253 cab unit. We are offering standard high flow hydraulics so that if you want to run a complex hydro mechanical tool, you have that ability to do on this machine. And then our canopy unit will be offering standard flow hydraulics that you can run those simple hydraulic tools as well.
00:01:21:08 - 00:01:41:01
Dustin Adams
We are only going to offer two configurations. And that's going to be a cab and canopy machine. These machines are going to be standard equipped with air suspension, heated seats, work tool harnesses so that you can run complex hydro mechanical tools. We're going to be offering a standard backup camera with adjustable pods and joysticks and vision link telematics.
00:01:41:02 - 00:02:00:08
Dustin Adams
But one thing that we're really, really excited about is the new C pattern track that's going to be standard on all of our machines. It's a general duty, all purpose track that is good in nearly any environment, and it bridges the gap between our current offering of our bar track and our block track machines. So we're really, really excited about bringing this machine to market.
00:02:00:10 - 00:02:30:15
Dustin Adams
We do start production in just a couple of months, and these machines will be commercially available second half of 2026. We see a lot of landscapers using this machine, doing great work, loading trucks and things like that, not necessarily running cold planters and those very technical or complex hydro mechanical tools. We fully expect to see power box rakes, buckets, forks, things like that on the front of the machine, which would be a perfect match for our landscapers and our general utility customers.
00:02:30:21 - 00:02:52:21
Ben Thorpe
What's your equipment really worth? Don't rely on guesswork. Equipment. World's free construction Equipment valuation calculator delivers fast estimated values backed by Equipment Watch market data. Whether you're selling, trading or managing your fleet, get the numbers you need in seconds. Visit equipment Worldcom Equipment Calculator today to get your estimate.
