thoughts on the 257b

Just curious about the 257b SS. Are they a decent machine? I've read/heard they're either a love hate.......machine. They seem like a nice smaller machine so I'm just curious what the thoughts on here are? Thanks for any info.

I have just recently purchased a CAT 257B primarily for farm use. I bought it mostly for its ability to handle very muddy terrain. I will have a much better idea as how well I like this machine in a few weeks.

My thoughts on the machine, great for mud and soft surfaces stay away from gravel bigger stone. The ride is nice smoother than a steel undercarriage that's for sure. For snow on pavement its great loved it. If the machine does see a lot of pavement and big stone be prepare for the undercarriage bill not designed for it at all . If you plan on keeping the machine for along time with less down time id recommend 259b3 I know its more money but in the long run its worth it

Might I suggest the Terex PT60 if your looking for new or an ASV RC60 if used would better suit your style. Both of these machines would compare closely to the 257b. These are both turbo charged 60 hp Perkins. Which is what will be in the cat also, Btw. Also, the cat uses the ASV/Terex under carriage. If you have any questions let me know.

Terexnorthfl said:

Might I suggest the Terex PT60 if your looking for new or an ASV RC60 if used would better suit your style. Both of these machines would compare closely to the 257b. These are both turbo charged 60 hp Perkins. Which is what will be in the cat also, Btw. Also, the cat uses the ASV/Terex under carriage. If you have any questions let me know.

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Just an update on my 257B experience. The machine is now at 1500 hrs and I have put 150 hrs on it since purchasing it in Oct. I really like how powerful it is from a lifting perspective and am very impressed with how it floats over mud and snow. I have had to do a lot of snow removal over the past few weeks and have been very happy with how much snow the machine can push with virtually no track slippage. I have had to replace one rear and one front idler in the 150 hrs that I have been running this machine. I think that non greaseable bearings are a very poor design for this application. I am hoping that I have most of the bugs worked out of the machine but time will tell.

HSVSkidSteer said:

Just an update on my 257B experience. The machine is now at 1500 hrs and I have put 150 hrs on it since purchasing it in Oct. I really like how powerful it is from a lifting perspective and am very impressed with how it floats over mud and snow. I have had to do a lot of snow removal over the past few weeks and have been very happy with how much snow the machine can push with virtually no track slippage. I have had to replace one rear and one front idler in the 150 hrs that I have been running this machine. I think that non greaseable bearings are a very poor design for this application. I am hoping that I have most of the bugs worked out of the machine but time will tell.

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I broke the front door glass this week when I got a bit too rushed moving a bale feeder. I had my local glass shop cut, bond and install three pieces of safety glass for $300.00 plus tax. This was a cheaper and better fix than getting the parts from Cat. I would have been just over $400.00 for parts alone and would have had tempered side pieces rather than safety glass.

HSVSkidSteer said:

I broke the front door glass this week when I got a bit too rushed moving a bale feeder. I had my local glass shop cut, bond and install three pieces of safety glass for $300.00 plus tax. This was a cheaper and better fix than getting the parts from Cat. I would have been just over $400.00 for parts alone and would have had tempered side pieces rather than safety glass.

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Ouch, but at least it's fixed

Tazza said:

Ouch, but at least it's fixed

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update on my 57B. I have had to replace another idler (rear this time) and bearing. This brings my count up to three sets of idlers and bearings in the last six months. I also had the misfortune of having the turbo fail last week, this happened at the 1700 hr mark and we were fortunate to shut it down before any engine damage . I replaced with a remanned turbo from CAT.

HSVSkidSteer said:

update on my 57B. I have had to replace another idler (rear this time) and bearing. This brings my count up to three sets of idlers and bearings in the last six months. I also had the misfortune of having the turbo fail last week, this happened at the 1700 hr mark and we were fortunate to shut it down before any engine damage . I replaced with a remanned turbo from CAT.

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You have had some really bad luck........

Tazza said:

You have had some really bad luck........

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Well...I'm happy that I bought it cheaply enough. I am going to go over the entire undercarriage and replace any loose bearings once spring has past. If you run the machine until the idlers fall off, you wreck the idler and increase your repair by about $300.00. The turbo was some bad luck but it appears that a line had been plugged sometime in the past to make the turbo run full time to deliver more power, this increase the wear on the component. I'm just very happy that my 13 year old son who was operating it when the turbo let go, got it shut down before it spit out all of the oil and wrecked the motor! I have a friend who just purchased a 257B3 with similar hours but a 2010 model, he paid $20,000.00 more but has a bit of warranty left. I can fix a fair bit of stuff for $20,000.00