Cat 275
Compact Track Loader
$112,000

Caterpillar

Cat 275

4.7(120 reviews across equipment listings)

The Cat 275 brings the next-generation redesign to Cat's large-frame CTL class, effectively succeeding the 289D3 and 299D3 with a 111 hp C3.6TA engine and a 4,156 lb rated operating capacity. High Flow XPS pushes 34 GPM at up to 4,061 psi, and a higher-powered 275 XE variant sits above it for maximum attachment production.

Price
$112,000
ROC
4156 lbs
Engine
111 hp
Best For
Production-focused contractors running mulchers, planers, and heavy attachments all day

Specifications

Type
Compact Track Loader
Lift Path
Vertical Lift
Rated Operating Capacity
4156 lbs
Engine HP
111 hp
Operating Weight
12401 lbs
Tipping Load
11874 lbs
Lift Height
134 in
Hydraulic Flow
23 GPM
Aux Flow
High-Flow
Engine
Cat C3.6TA
Warranty
1 yr / 1000 hr
Tracks
Yes
High-Flow
Yes

Features

Vertical LiftHigh-FlowEnclosed CabTwo-SpeedSelf-LevelingA/C & HeatTracksA/C

Pros

  • The 4,156 lb rated operating capacity crushes the 299D3's 3,560 lbs, and owners moving pallets of block or full grapples of logs say the extra margin is obvious on the first day.
  • The 111 hp C3.6TA with 25%+ more torque than the old C3.8 keeps mulchers and cold planers at full RPM under load, and production-focused buyers report meaningfully faster acreage rates.
  • High Flow XPS delivers 34 GPM at 4,061 psi, among the strongest auxiliary hydraulic packages in the class, letting the 275 run attachments that used to require a dedicated mulching carrier.
  • The nearly 11,874 lb tipping load makes it extremely planted when craning heavy loads at full height, and operators say it out-lifts and out-stabilizes the Deere 333G they cross-rented.
  • The sealed one-piece pressurized cab with optional heated/ventilated air-ride seat is widely called the nicest operator station Cat has ever put in a compact machine.
  • The 8-inch touchscreen with rearview camera and standard Product Link telematics makes fleet management practical, with remote hour and fault monitoring built in.
  • The 275 XE option gives an upgrade path to even more power on the same platform, so high-production buyers aren't forced to another brand for a top-spec machine.

Cons

  • Pricing lands well into six figures optioned up, a serious jump over the 299D3 it effectively replaces, and buyers say quotes vary widely between dealers.
  • The 111 hp C3.6TA requires DEF and a full Tier 4 Final aftertreatment system, adding a fluid, sensors, and regen behavior that the sub-75 hp models avoid entirely.
  • As a newer platform, early adopters report software teething issues with the touchscreen and attachment recognition that needed dealer updates to sort out.
  • Undercarriage wear costs scale with the weight, and track and roller replacement on this frame is notably more expensive than on the mid-size machines.
  • The complexity of the electro-hydraulic systems means field fixes are rare - downtime usually means a dealer visit, which rural owners flag as their biggest worry.

Common Questions

Is the 275 a legitimate dedicated mulching carrier?
Yes — that's much of its design brief. The 111 hp C3.6TA carries 25%+ more torque than the old C3.8 and holds mulchers and cold planers at full RPM under load, while High Flow XPS pushes 34 GPM at 4,061 psi, among the strongest auxiliary packages in the class. Production-focused buyers report meaningfully faster acreage rates than the 299D3 generation.
How does it compare to the 299D3 it replaces?
The headline is capacity: 4,156 lbs rated versus the 299D3's 3,560, with an 11,874 lb tipping load that keeps it planted craning heavy loads at full height — operators say it out-lifts and out-stabilizes the Deere 333G. You also get the far nicer sealed cab and touchscreen, at the cost of six-figure optioned pricing and a DEF-equipped engine the 299D3's sub-75 hp siblings avoided.
What's the transport requirement?
At 12,401 lbs bare — call it 14,000+ with a bucket and forks — you're into 20k-trailer and heavy 1-ton or larger territory, and potentially CDL considerations depending on your state and combined weights. This machine assumes you already run heavy transport or will buy it.
How dealer-dependent is ownership?
Significantly, and rural owners flag it as their biggest worry. The electro-hydraulic systems rarely allow field fixes — downtime usually means a dealer visit — and early adopters report software teething issues with the touchscreen and attachment recognition that needed dealer updates. The DEF/DPF aftertreatment adds its own sensor and regen complexity on top.
What will the undercarriage cost to maintain?
More than mid-size machines — track and roller replacement scales with the 275's weight, and running abrasive ground accelerates it. For a production machine billing steady hours the math works, but weekend-warrior duty on this frame means paying big-machine wear costs for small-machine utilization.

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