Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - December 2024 - 26

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
auxiliary hydraulic system pressure to
4,496 psi (31 MPa) and hydraulic flow
to 40 gal/min (150 L/min) on the 270
XE, 275 XE and 285 XE models.
Cat claims that equipping the 250
with the XPS option provides auxiliary
hydraulic performance not available before
in a mid-size SSL. High-flow functionality
is activated on these machines
via a software-enabled attachment that
permits on-machine or remote activation
of increased hydraulic flow.
The standard hydraulic system on the
250, 260, 270 and 275 sees pressure
increases of 5% to 3,500 psi (24.1 MPa).
The new closed-center auxiliary hydraulic
system allows these machines to operate
all Cat Smart Attachments with
the standard hydraulics package.
The 275 and 275 XE CTLs have a lift height of 134.4 in (3,415 mm), 8 in (203 mm) higher than the
previous 299D3.
Comfort and capability
All of Cat's new compact track loaders
feature a new E-bar (equalizer bar) undercarriage
that reportedly provides
increased stability for grading and handling
heavier loads. Cat claims that the
E-bar undercarriage provides the benefits
of a rigid-style undercarriage design
when lifting heavy loads or using
heavy attachments like mulchers and
dozer and grader blades, while simultaneously
providing the benefits of an
oscillating undercarriage when encountering
uneven terrain or obstacles.
The new SSLs and CTLs also feature a
Caterpillar touts the new vertical lift design that translates to significant increases in lift height,
breakout forces and ROC.
37% increase in tilt breakout force and
19% increase in ROC.
The largest units in the family, the
285 and 285 XE, offer a lift height of
146 in (3,708 mm) and tilt breakout
force of 13,920 lb (6,314 kg). The 285
has an ROC of 4,719 lb (2,141 kg) with
counterweight while the 285 XE has
an ROC of 4,816 lb (2,185 kg) with
counterweight.
26 December 2024
Hustle and flow
Cat's optional high-flow XPS hydraulic
system is available on all next-generation
CTL and SSL models. The system
increases auxiliary hydraulic system
pressure to 4,061 psi (28 MPa) and
bumps hydraulic flow to 30 gal/min
(113 L/min) on the 250 and 34 gal/min
(129 L/min) for the 260, 270, 275 and
285 models. The XPS option increases
larger cab with 22% more overall volume
and 26% additional foot space. 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 cool the cab's interior.
Operators 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.
Matt Wolfe
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
FROM TOP: CATERPILLAR; SAE/MATT WOLFE

Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - December 2024