Caterpillar's GIANT-SIZED 285 & 285 XE Compact Track Loaders

Caterpillar's skid steers and track loaders are getting revamped under its “next generation” badge. At an Illinois press event, hosted at Caterpillar’s Edwards Demonstration and Learning Center, the company announced four new skid steers and four new track loaders, including Cat’s biggest track loaders ever (the Cat 285 and Cat 285 XE), which boast a 12.5-ft lift height, the highest in the industry. The 285s are imposing pieces of iron, fitted with unique dozer-style undercarriages, impressive rated operating capacities (4,816 lbs on the 285 XE) and the option of the industry’s-only scarifier attachment off the back. Morgan Timiney, skid steer and compact track loader product specialist at Caterpillar, gives us a walk-around of the giant-sized 285 XE.