There are more than a few brand choices on the market to pick from when it comes to skid steers and their tracked versions, known as compact track loaders.
For its part, a recent announcement from Caterpillar makes it clear the brand intends to remain a major player in that machine segment.
“We are excited to launch the ‘next generation’ design for our skid steer loader line and expand the performance capabilities to more compact track loader models,” said Trevor Chase, senior product consultant and new product introduction lead for Caterpillar in a news release.
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The next generation models all offer increased power, lift height, breakout forces, rated operating capacity and high-flow hydraulic system options.
The first of Cat’s next generation CTL compact track loaders debuted in late 2023 with the introduction of the 74 horsepower 255 and 265 models. Keeping that engine output allows these machines to slide under the emissions requirement for DEF after treatment. Instead, the two new models get away with just using a diesel particulate filter.
The requirement for a re-gen period to clear that filter is pretty rare if the machine is being operated properly, says Mark Keller, Toromont Cat sales manager.
“If you operate it at half throttle or more, it won’t (require a re-gen).”
All the next generation skid steer SSL and tracked CTL machines get a larger cab, offering 22 per cent more interior volume and increased space in the footwall. There is also a new seven-inch monitor that controls all machine functions and an available rear-view camera.
“On the 255 we focused on some upgrades in spec, more pushing power and lift height,” says Keller.
“We’re up over 10 feet now for loading trucks.”
This September, Cat followed up the debut of the 255 and 265 with four more new CTLs and four SSL skid steer models.
The 275 and 285 CTLs are each available with a 111 or range-topping 134 h.p. Cat diesel engine, making them among the most powerful CTLs on the market.
Keller says most of his agriculture customers opt for the wheeled skid steer models instead of the more expensive CTL versions. As a result, the new SSL models let them get the same high horsepower rating and upgraded specs in a wheeled model.
Although they ride on wheels instead of tracks, the SSL models share the same platform, so the 250 and 260 models get the 74 h.p. diesel, while the 270 gets 111 and 270XE gets 134, just like their CTL cousins.
The jump in specifications includes an increased lift height of 124 inches (3.15 metres) on the 250 along with a 26 per cent increase in breakout force. Lift height increases to 132 inches (3.353 metres) on the 260 and 133.5 inches (3.391 metres) for the 270 and 270XE.
The added height makes loading a tall truck much easier, something many skid steer models often struggle to do.
The 250, 260, 270 and 275 machines equipped with standard hydraulic flow are shipped from the factory outfitted as “high flow ready.” They can be upgraded to the increased flow rate through a new software using remote activation, pushing flow up to 30 gallons per minute (113 litres per minute) on the 250, 260 and 270 models. On the tracked 275, that option pushes flow to 34 gallons (129 litres per minute).
“On the smaller class (models), we should see them by the end of the year,” says Keller.
“For the two larger models, dealerships will be able to start ordering at the end of October, and we’ll see them for the spring.”
