The Cat 259D3 is a vertical-lift compact track loader. It weighs 8,987 lb, has a Cat C3.3B turbo engine rated at 74.3 hp gross (73.2 hp net), and is rated to carry 2,010 lb at 35 percent of tipping load, or 3,060 lb with the optional counterweight.
Caterpillar · Compact track loader
259D3
| Operating weight8,987 lb | Rated operating capacity2,010 lb | Tipping load5,745 lb | Net power73.2 hp |
Cat 259D3 at a glance
Vertical lift for loading trucks
Cat describes the 259D3 as a vertical lift design for extended reach and lift height. The bucket pin reaches 121 in at maximum lift, with 89.9 in of clearance at maximum lift and dump.
Cat C3.3B turbo engine
74.3 hp gross and 73.2 hp net, with 195 ft·lbf of peak torque at 1,500 rpm. Cat states the engine meets U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage V emission standards.
Two-speed travel and suspension standard
Cat lists two-speed travel up to 8.5 mph and a fully independent torsion axle suspension as standard equipment.
High flow available
High-flow hydraulics deliver 30 gpm at 3,335 psi, compared with 20 gpm on the standard system.
Cat 259D3 specifications
US figures are exactly as Cat publishes them. Metric values are our conversions.
Weight and capacity
| Spec | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 8,987 lb | 4,076 kg |
| Rated operating capacity, 35% of tipping load | 2,010 lb | 912 kg |
| Rated operating capacity, 50% of tipping load | 2,870 lb | 1,302 kg |
| Rated operating capacity, optional counterweight | 3,060 lb | 1,388 kg |
| Tipping load | 5,745 lb | 2,606 kg |
| Breakout force, tilt cylinder | 4,965 lb | 22.1 kN |
Engine
| Spec | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Engine model | Cat C3.3B DIT (turbo) | Cat C3.3B DIT (turbo) |
| Gross power, SAE J1995 | 74.3 hp | 55.4 kW |
| Net power, SAE J1349 | 73.2 hp | 54.6 kW |
| Net power, ISO 9249 | 73.9 hp | 55.1 kW |
| Peak torque at 1,500 rpm | 195 ft·lbf | 264 N·m |
| Displacement | 203 in³ | 3.3 L |
| Bore × stroke | 3.7 in × 4.7 in | 94 mm × 119 mm |
| Emissions | Tier 4 Final | EU Stage V |
Hydraulics
| Spec | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Standard flow | 20 gpm | 75.7 L/min |
| High flow | 30 gpm | 113.6 L/min |
| Loader hydraulic pressure | 3,335 psi | 230 bar |
| Hydraulic power, standard flow (calculated) | 39 hp | 29.1 kW |
| Hydraulic power, high flow (calculated) | 58 hp | 43.3 kW |
Dimensions
| Spec | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Bucket pin height, maximum lift | 121 in | 3,075 mm |
| Maximum overall height | 154.1 in | 3,914 mm |
| Height to top of cab | 83.1 in | 2,111 mm |
| Clearance at maximum lift and dump | 89.9 in | 2,283 mm |
| Reach at maximum lift and dump | 23.9 in | 607 mm |
| Length with bucket on ground | 137.3 in | 3,487 mm |
| Length without bucket | 108.9 in | 2,766 mm |
| Width, 320 mm (12.6 in) tracks | 66 in | 1,676 mm |
| Width, 400 mm (15.7 in) tracks | 69 in | 1,753 mm |
| Ground clearance | 8.9 in | 226 mm |
| Maximum dump angle | 52° | 52° |
| Turning radius, bucket | 86 in | 2,184 mm |
Travel and fluid capacities
| Spec | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Travel speed, one speed | 5.9 mph | 9.5 km/h |
| Travel speed, two speed | 8.5 mph | 13.7 km/h |
| Fuel tank | 24.8 gal | 93.9 L |
| Hydraulic system | 13.2 gal | 50.0 L |
| Hydraulic tank | 10.3 gal | 39.0 L |
| Cooling system | 3.7 gal | 14.0 L |
| Engine crankcase | 3 gal | 11.4 L |
How much can a Cat 259D3 lift?
Cat publishes three rated operating capacity figures for the 259D3. The 2,010 lb figure is 35 percent of the 5,745 lb tipping load (5,745 × 0.35 = 2,010), which is the limit ISO 14397-1 sets for tracked loaders. Cat also lists 2,870 lb at 50 percent of tipping load, and 3,060 lb with the optional counterweight.
Use 2,010 lb when you compare it with other compact track loaders, which are usually rated at 35 percent. Tipping load is the point where the machine starts to tip forward, so it is a limit, not a working load.
Track width and ground pressure
The 259D3 is listed with two track widths. The wider track spreads the machine’s weight over more ground, which lowers ground pressure and helps on soft or finished surfaces, at the cost of 3 in of extra width.
| Track | Machine width | Ground contact area | Ground pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 320 mm (12.6 in) | 66 in | 1,483 in² | 6.1 psi |
| 400 mm (15.7 in) | 69 in | 1,848 in² | 4.9 psi |
Cab options and safety ratings
- C0: open ROPS cab.
- C1: open ROPS cab with foot throttle.
- C2: enclosed cab with heater.
- C3: enclosed cab with air conditioning.
Cat lists the cab as meeting ROPS ISO 3471:2008 and FOPS ISO 3449:2005 Level I, with sound levels of 83 dB(A) inside the cab and 103 dB(A) outside.
Cat 259D3 vs. Bobcat T770
The Bobcat T770 is a larger machine. On each maker’s published figures it is about 1,500 lb heavier and is rated to carry about 1,465 lb more at 35 percent of tipping load, while the 259D3 is narrower and lighter to haul.
| Spec | Cat 259D3 | Bobcat T770 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 8,987 lb | 10,515 lb |
| Rated operating capacity (35%) | 2,010 lb | 3,475 lb |
| Tipping load | 5,745 lb | 9,929 lb |
| Bucket pin height, max lift | 121 in | 132 in |
| Engine power | 73.2 hp (net) | 92 hp |
| High flow | 30 gpm | 36.6 gpm |
| Fuel tank | 24.8 gal | 43.8 gal |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cat 259D3 weigh?
Cat lists the 259D3’s operating weight as 8,987 lb (about 4,076 kg).
What is the lift capacity of a Cat 259D3?
The rated operating capacity is 2,010 lb at 35 percent of tipping load, 2,870 lb at 50 percent, and 3,060 lb with the optional counterweight. The tipping load is 5,745 lb.
How much horsepower does a Cat 259D3 have?
The Cat C3.3B engine is rated at 74.3 hp gross (SAE J1995) and 73.2 hp net (SAE J1349), with 195 ft·lbf of peak torque at 1,500 rpm.
How high can a Cat 259D3 lift?
The bucket pin reaches 121 in at maximum lift, and the machine’s maximum overall height with the arms raised is 154.1 in.
Does the Cat 259D3 have high flow?
Cat lists a high-flow system of 30 gpm at 3,335 psi, compared with 20 gpm on the standard system.
What is the fuel tank capacity of a Cat 259D3?
Cat lists a 24.8 gal (93.9 L) fuel tank.
Sources
- Caterpillar, Cat 259D3 Compact Track Loader, specifications and features, checked September 24, 2026.
- Bobcat, Classic T770 specifications, for the comparison.
- ISO 14397-1, Calculation of rated operating capacity.
- Metric conversions by BucketMath: 1 lb = 0.4536 kg; 1 in = 25.4 mm; 1 US gal = 3.785 L; 1 hp = 0.7457 kW.
Cat and Caterpillar are trademarks of their owner. BucketMath is independent and not affiliated with Caterpillar or Bobcat. The machine image on this page is AI-generated. Confirm specifications with a dealer before you buy, haul or lift; see our disclaimer.