FieldSpec
Equipment menu

Machine models

Cat 256C, 262C, and 272C specifications

Entries in this reference
Listing-entry count
3
Short answer

Cat 256C, 262C, and 272C: wheeled compact loaders.

Selected configuration figures
ConfigurationDocumented field and quantity
256C
Gross Power
85 hp
Operational Weight
7,566 lb
262C
Gross Power
84 hp
Operational Weight
7,968 lb
272C
Gross Power
94 hp
Operational Weight
8,292 lb
256C, 262C, and 272C specification matrix — Listing labels reported by the source
Publisher nameSource guideListing-entry countLabels named by the source
Cat256C, 262C, and 272C3256C, 262C, and 272C
Dimensions and weight
Specification256C262C272C
Length With Bucket12.12 ft12.08 ft12.5 ft
Width Over Tires5.5 ft5.5 ft5.5 ft
Ground Clearance8.81 in8.81 in8.81 in
Height To Top Of Cab6.83 ft6.83 ft6.83 ft
Wheelbase4.07 ft4.07 ft4.5 ft
Length W/O Bucket10.25 ft10.25 ft10.71 ft
Clearance At Max Lift And Dump7.96 ft8.03 ft8.16 ft
Reach At Max Lift And Dump23.6 in30.7 in30 in
Turning Radius From Center - Machine Rear57.7 in56.8 in58.3 in
Turning Radius From Center - Inc Bucket95.8 in97.8 in101.5 in
Specification262C272C
Length - With Bucket On Ground145 in150.9 in
Length - Without Bucket117 in122.8 in
Maximum Dump Angle50 degrees51 degrees
Maximum Reach - With Arms Parallel50.5 in50 in
Rack Back Angle - Maximum Height85 degrees83 degrees
Reach - Maximum Lift/Dump30.7 in30.1 in
Maximum Overall Height160.4 in162 in
Bucket Pin Height - Carry Position7.8 in7.8 in
Bucket Pin Height - Maximum Lift10.59 ft10.76 ft
Bucket Pin Reach - Maximum Lift14.7 in14.7 in
Bumper Overhang - Rear Axle42.8 in42.8 in
Clearance At Maximum Lift And Dump96.4 in97.9 in
Departure Angle26 degrees26 degrees
Height - Top Of Cab6.9 ft6.9 ft
Vehicle Width Over Tires66 in66 in
Wheel Base4.07 ft4.54 ft
Turn Radius From Center - Bucket85.3 in89.1 in
Turn Radius From Center - Coupler54.6 in57.1 in
Turn Radius From Center - Rear68.1 in70.7 in
Engine
Specification256C262C272C
Number Of Cylinders444
Engine Model3044C DIT3044C DIT3044C DIT
Gross Power85 hp84 hp94 hp
Net Power82 hp82 hp90 hp
Power Measured @2,500 rpm2,500 rpm2,500 rpm
Displacement201 cu in201 cu in201 cu in
Specification262C272C
Bore3.7 in3.7 in
Stroke4.7 in4.7 in
Gross Power - SAE J199584 hp94 hp
Engine Power - ISO 1439683 hp93 hp
Net Power - Eec 80/126983 hp91 hp
Net Power - ISO 9249 Eec83 hp91 hp
Net Power - SAE 134982 hp90 hp
Net Flywheel Power82 hp90 hp
Operational
Specification256C262C272C
Operational Weight7,566 lb7,968 lb8,292 lb
Fuel Capacity26 gal26 gal26 gal
Cooling System Fluid Capacity3.7 gal3.7 gal3.7 gal
Engine Oil Fluid Capacity2.6 gal2.6 gal2.6 gal
Hydraulic System Fluid Capacity15 gal15 gal15 gal
Max Speed7.7 mph7.7 mph7.2 mph
Chain Box Fluid Capacity - Each Side2.6 gal2.6 gal2.9 gal
Specification262C272C
Operating Voltage12 V12 V
Alternator Supplied Amperage90 amps90 amps
Loader
Specification256C262C272C
Breakout Force7,328 lb7,315 lb7,315 lb
Operating Load Rating2,350 lb2,700 lb3,250 lb
Tipping Angle4700 degrees5400 degrees6500 degrees
Bucket Capacity0.5 yd30.6 yd30.6 yd3
Hydraulic
Specification256C262C272C
Pump Flow Capacity22 gpm22 gpm22 gpm
Relief Valve Pressure3,335 psi3,335 psi3,335 psi
Operating Specifications
Specification262C272C
Rated Operating Capacity With Optional Counterweight2,945 lb3,480 lb
Tipping Load5,400 lb6,500 lb
Breakout Force - Tilt Cylinder7,315 lb7,315 lb
Rated Operating Capacity2,700 lb3,250 lb
Power Train
Specification262C272C
Travel Speed Forward7.7 mph7.2 mph
Travel Speed Reverse7.7 mph7.2 mph
Travel Speed Reverse - 2-Speed Option12 mph10 mph
Travel Speed Forward - 2-Speed Option12 mph10 mph
Xdp Option Speed - With Tires6.5 mph6 mph
Xdp Option Speed - With Vts Tracks4.8 mph4.7 mph
Weights
Specification262C272C
Operating Weight7,968 lb8,362 lb
Hydraulic System
Specification262C272C
Hydraulic Flow (1)StandardStandard
Hydraulic Power42.8 hp42.8 hp
Maximum Loader Hydraulic Flow33 gpm33 gpm
Maximum Loader Hydraulic Pressure4,061 psi4,061 psi
Loader Hydraulic Pressure3,335 psi3,335 psi
Loader Hydraulic Flow22 gpm22 gpm
Hydraulic Flow (2)High Flow XPSHigh Flow XPS
Service Refill Capacities
Specification262C272C
Cooling System3.7 gal3.7 gal
Fuel Tank26 gal26 gal
Hydraulic Tank11 gal11 gal
Engine Crankcase2.6 gal2.6 gal
Hydraulic System15 gal15 gal
Chain Box - Each Side2.6 gal2.9 gal
Cab
Specification262C272C
ROPSSAE J1040 MAY94, ISO 3471:1994SAE J1040 MAY94, ISO 3471:1994
FOPSSAE J1043 SEPT87, ISO 3449:1992 Level ISAE J1043 SEPT87, ISO 3449:1992 Level I
FOPS Level IiSAE J231 JAN81, ISO 3449:1992 Level IISAE J231 JAN81, ISO 3449:1992 Level II
Variants — Source comparison annotation
Source guideDiffering-field count reported
256C, 262C, and 272C72
Ratios
Figure256C262C272C
Engine horsepower per 1,000 lb of weight10.810.310.8
Pump flow per engine horsepower0.27 gpm0.27 gpm0.24 gpm
Fuel tank per engine horsepower0.32 gal0.32 gal0.29 gal
Figure262C272C
Rated operating capacity as a share of tipping load50%50%

Cat 256C, 262C, and 272C: wheeled compact loader

256C, 262C, and 272C: owner reports

Sources: 3 forum discussions about the Caterpillar 262 skid steer loaders (262B, 262C); heavyequipmentforums.com.
256C, 262C, and 272C: forum references — Forum-title search
Forum indexEquipment class queriedNames in the searchMatching titles
Heavy Equipment Forumswheeled compact loaderCat and the 256C, 262C, 272C55
Topics named by those titles
Title topicTitles
hydraulics7
electrical and sensors3
starting and cranking3
Topic in the titleThreadsShare of matching threads
hydraulics713%
electrical and sensors35%
starting and cranking35%
fuel system24%
brakes and steering24%
Used market for the 256C, 262C, and 272C — Dated first-page listing snapshot
Observation dateListing sourceEquipment searchListings
2026-09-24MachineryTraderCat wheeled compact loader20
ModelListedModel yearsLowest askingHighest askingMedian askingMedian hours
256C32008 to 2012$19,750$36,592$29,9003,450
262C102003 to 2015$17,500$23,900$21,1292,869
272C72008 to 2011$22,000$38,997$32,3053,551
256C, 262C, and 272C: recall reference — Dated CPSC search
Search dateDatabaseNames queriedSearch result
2026-09-24U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionCat together with the wheeled compact loader 256C, 262C, 272CNo matching recall in this search

Sources for this page

Evidence classDocument, classification and recorded date
Reference site
  • Reference site: Cat 256C — RitchieSpecs. Observed 2026-09-24.
Reference site
  • Reference site: Cat 262C — RitchieSpecs. Observed 2026-09-24.
Reference site
  • Reference site: Cat 272C — RitchieSpecs. Observed 2026-09-24.
Forum threads
Forum threads
Used-market listings
Federal agency data

Cat 256C, 262C, and 272C: Configuration records

256C
SpecificationSource figure
Dimensions and weight
Length With Bucket12.12 ft
Width Over Tires5.5 ft
Ground Clearance8.81 in
Height To Top Of Cab6.83 ft
Wheelbase4.07 ft
Length W/O Bucket10.25 ft
Clearance At Max Lift And Dump7.96 ft
Reach At Max Lift And Dump23.6 in
Turning Radius From Center - Machine Rear57.7 in
Turning Radius From Center - Inc Bucket95.8 in
Engine
Engine Model3044C DIT
Gross Power85 hp
Net Power82 hp
Displacement201 cu in
Number Of Cylinders4
Power Measured @2,500 rpm
Operational
Operational Weight7,566 lb
Fuel Capacity26 gal
Cooling System Fluid Capacity3.7 gal
Engine Oil Fluid Capacity2.6 gal
Hydraulic System Fluid Capacity15 gal
Max Speed7.7 mph
Chain Box Fluid Capacity - Each Side2.6 gal
Loader
Breakout Force7,328 lb
Operating Load Rating2,350 lb
Hydraulic
Pump Flow Capacity22 gpm
Relief Valve Pressure3,335 psi
Additional specifications
Bucket Capacity0.5 yd3

Source

262C
SpecificationSource figure
Dimensions and weight
Length With Bucket12.08 ft
Width Over Tires5.5 ft
Ground Clearance8.81 in
Height To Top Of Cab6.83 ft
Wheelbase4.07 ft
Length W/O Bucket10.25 ft
Clearance At Max Lift And Dump8.03 ft
Reach At Max Lift And Dump30.7 in
Turning Radius From Center - Machine Rear56.8 in
Turning Radius From Center - Inc Bucket97.8 in
Wheel Base4.07 ft
Length - Without Bucket117 in
Maximum Overall Height160.4 in
Bucket Pin Height - Maximum Lift10.59 ft
Bucket Pin Height - Carry Position7.8 in
Reach - Maximum Lift/Dump30.7 in
Departure Angle26 degrees
Maximum Dump Angle50 degrees
Rack Back Angle - Maximum Height85 degrees
Bucket Pin Reach - Maximum Lift14.7 in
Maximum Reach - With Arms Parallel50.5 in
Bumper Overhang - Rear Axle42.8 in
Clearance At Maximum Lift And Dump96.4 in
Height - Top Of Cab6.9 ft
Length - With Bucket On Ground145 in
Turn Radius From Center - Rear68.1 in
Vehicle Width Over Tires66 in
Turn Radius From Center - Bucket85.3 in
Turn Radius From Center - Coupler54.6 in
Engine
Engine Model3044C DIT
Gross Power84 hp
Net Power82 hp
Net Power - SAE 134982 hp
Displacement201 cu in
Stroke4.7 in
Bore3.7 in
Net Flywheel Power82 hp
Gross Power - SAE J199584 hp
Engine Power - ISO 1439683 hp
Net Power - Eec 80/126983 hp
Net Power - ISO 9249 Eec83 hp
Number Of Cylinders4
Power Measured @2,500 rpm
Operational
Operational Weight7,968 lb
Fuel Capacity26 gal
Cooling System Fluid Capacity3.7 gal
Engine Oil Fluid Capacity2.6 gal
Hydraulic System Fluid Capacity15 gal
Max Speed7.7 mph
Chain Box Fluid Capacity - Each Side2.6 gal
Operating Voltage12 V
Alternator Supplied Amperage90 amps
Loader
Breakout Force7,315 lb
Operating Load Rating2,700 lb
Hydraulic
Pump Flow Capacity22 gpm
Relief Valve Pressure3,335 psi
Operating Specifications
Rated Operating Capacity2,700 lb
Tipping Load5,400 lb
Breakout Force - Tilt Cylinder7,315 lb
Rated Operating Capacity With Optional Counterweight2,945 lb
Weights
Operating Weight7,968 lb
Cab
ROPSSAE J1040 MAY94, ISO 3471:1994
FOPSSAE J1043 SEPT87, ISO 3449:1992 Level I
FOPS Level IiSAE J231 JAN81, ISO 3449:1992 Level II
Service Refill Capacities
Chain Box - Each Side2.6 gal
Cooling System3.7 gal
Engine Crankcase2.6 gal
Fuel Tank26 gal
Hydraulic Tank11 gal
Hydraulic System
Hydraulic Power42.8 hp
Loader Hydraulic Pressure3,335 psi
Loader Hydraulic Flow22 gpm
Maximum Loader Hydraulic Flow33 gpm
Maximum Loader Hydraulic Pressure4,061 psi
Hydraulic Flow (1)Standard
Hydraulic Flow (2)High Flow XPS
Power Train
Travel Speed Forward7.7 mph
Travel Speed Reverse7.7 mph
Travel Speed Reverse - 2-Speed Option12 mph
Travel Speed Forward - 2-Speed Option12 mph
Xdp Option Speed - With Tires6.5 mph
Xdp Option Speed - With Vts Tracks4.8 mph
Additional specifications
Bucket Capacity0.6 yd3
Hydraulic System15 gal

Source

272C
SpecificationSource figure
Dimensions and weight
Length With Bucket12.5 ft
Width Over Tires5.5 ft
Ground Clearance8.81 in
Height To Top Of Cab6.83 ft
Wheelbase4.5 ft
Length W/O Bucket10.71 ft
Clearance At Max Lift And Dump8.16 ft
Reach At Max Lift And Dump30 in
Turning Radius From Center - Machine Rear58.3 in
Turning Radius From Center - Inc Bucket101.5 in
Wheel Base4.54 ft
Length - Without Bucket122.8 in
Maximum Overall Height162 in
Bucket Pin Height - Maximum Lift10.76 ft
Bucket Pin Height - Carry Position7.8 in
Reach - Maximum Lift/Dump30.1 in
Departure Angle26 degrees
Maximum Dump Angle51 degrees
Rack Back Angle - Maximum Height83 degrees
Bucket Pin Reach - Maximum Lift14.7 in
Maximum Reach - With Arms Parallel50 in
Bumper Overhang - Rear Axle42.8 in
Clearance At Maximum Lift And Dump97.9 in
Height - Top Of Cab6.9 ft
Length - With Bucket On Ground150.9 in
Turn Radius From Center - Rear70.7 in
Vehicle Width Over Tires66 in
Turn Radius From Center - Bucket89.1 in
Turn Radius From Center - Coupler57.1 in
Engine
Engine Model3044C DIT
Gross Power94 hp
Net Power90 hp
Net Power - SAE 134990 hp
Displacement201 cu in
Stroke4.7 in
Bore3.7 in
Net Flywheel Power90 hp
Gross Power - SAE J199594 hp
Engine Power - ISO 1439693 hp
Net Power - Eec 80/126991 hp
Net Power - ISO 9249 Eec91 hp
Number Of Cylinders4
Power Measured @2,500 rpm
Operational
Operational Weight8,292 lb
Fuel Capacity26 gal
Cooling System Fluid Capacity3.7 gal
Engine Oil Fluid Capacity2.6 gal
Hydraulic System Fluid Capacity15 gal
Max Speed7.2 mph
Chain Box Fluid Capacity - Each Side2.9 gal
Operating Voltage12 V
Alternator Supplied Amperage90 amps
Loader
Breakout Force7,315 lb
Operating Load Rating3,250 lb
Hydraulic
Pump Flow Capacity22 gpm
Relief Valve Pressure3,335 psi
Operating Specifications
Rated Operating Capacity3,250 lb
Tipping Load6,500 lb
Breakout Force - Tilt Cylinder7,315 lb
Rated Operating Capacity With Optional Counterweight3,480 lb
Weights
Operating Weight8,362 lb
Cab
ROPSSAE J1040 MAY94, ISO 3471:1994
FOPSSAE J1043 SEPT87, ISO 3449:1992 Level I
FOPS Level IiSAE J231 JAN81, ISO 3449:1992 Level II
Service Refill Capacities
Chain Box - Each Side2.9 gal
Cooling System3.7 gal
Engine Crankcase2.6 gal
Fuel Tank26 gal
Hydraulic Tank11 gal
Hydraulic System
Hydraulic Power42.8 hp
Loader Hydraulic Pressure3,335 psi
Loader Hydraulic Flow22 gpm
Maximum Loader Hydraulic Flow33 gpm
Maximum Loader Hydraulic Pressure4,061 psi
Hydraulic Flow (1)Standard
Hydraulic Flow (2)High Flow XPS
Power Train
Travel Speed Forward7.2 mph
Travel Speed Reverse7.2 mph
Travel Speed Reverse - 2-Speed Option10 mph
Travel Speed Forward - 2-Speed Option10 mph
Xdp Option Speed - With Tires6 mph
Xdp Option Speed - With Vts Tracks4.7 mph
Additional specifications
Bucket Capacity0.6 yd3
Hydraulic System15 gal

Source

Compare Cat 256C, 262C, 272C
Dimensions and weight
Specification256C262C272C
Length With Bucket12.12 ft12.08 ft12.5 ft
Width Over Tires5.5 ft5.5 ft5.5 ft
Ground Clearance8.81 in8.81 in8.81 in
Height To Top Of Cab6.83 ft6.83 ft6.83 ft
Wheelbase4.07 ft4.07 ft4.5 ft
Length W/O Bucket10.25 ft10.25 ft10.71 ft
Clearance At Max Lift And Dump7.96 ft8.03 ft8.16 ft
Reach At Max Lift And Dump23.6 in30.7 in30 in
Turning Radius From Center - Machine Rear57.7 in56.8 in58.3 in
Turning Radius From Center - Inc Bucket95.8 in97.8 in101.5 in
Engine
Specification256C262C272C
Number Of Cylinders444
Engine Model3044C DIT3044C DIT3044C DIT
Gross Power85 hp84 hp94 hp
Net Power82 hp82 hp90 hp
Power Measured @2,500 rpm2,500 rpm2,500 rpm
Displacement201 cu in201 cu in201 cu in
Operational
Specification256C262C272C
Operational Weight7,566 lb7,968 lb8,292 lb
Fuel Capacity26 gal26 gal26 gal
Cooling System Fluid Capacity3.7 gal3.7 gal3.7 gal
Engine Oil Fluid Capacity2.6 gal2.6 gal2.6 gal
Hydraulic System Fluid Capacity15 gal15 gal15 gal
Max Speed7.7 mph7.7 mph7.2 mph
Chain Box Fluid Capacity - Each Side2.6 gal2.6 gal2.9 gal
Loader
Specification256C262C272C
Breakout Force7,328 lb7,315 lb7,315 lb
Operating Load Rating2,350 lb2,700 lb3,250 lb
Bucket Capacity0.5 yd30.6 yd30.6 yd3
Hydraulic
Specification256C262C272C
Pump Flow Capacity22 gpm22 gpm22 gpm
Relief Valve Pressure3,335 psi3,335 psi3,335 psi

More in Cat: 236–262, 236D: radial lift/flow packages/regional engine ratings, 270 XE.