Milton CAT’s spring Mini Metal Tour generated strong turnout across seven northeast stops, attracting more than 300 companies and approximately 575 customers for hands-on demonstrations of Caterpillar’s newest compact equipment, including the latest 255, 265, 275 and 285 compact track loaders, tilt-rotate systems (TRS), compact grader blade technology and the new 319 Compact Radius excavator.
Designed to give contractors seat time with new machines and technology, the tour allowed attendees to operate equipment, compare models and speak directly with Milton CAT sales and technology specialists. Stops across New England and Upstate N.Y. created opportunities for customers to evaluate machines in challenging working conditions rather than simply viewing them on a showroom floor.
Milton CAT highlighted Caterpillar’s new compact track loader (CTL) lineup, including the 255, 265, 275 and 285 models. Attendees noted improved cab comfort, visibility and hydraulic performance.
“I thought the 265 was great,” Jeremy Smail said. “It’s very comfortable, very easy to operate. Visibility was great.”
Another attendee added, “The hydraulics are really smooth.”
Technology-enabled attachments and machine control systems were another major focus of the tour. Customers tested tilt-rotate systems and grader blades with integrated grade technology designed to improve precision while reducing manual rework.
Thomas Grave, who also operated the 265 with a grader blade, said the setup could dramatically improve productivity.
“That would definitely knock work down to half the time versus with a bucket,” he said.
The tour also featured a visit from Brian Hayden, winner of the 2026 Cat Global Operator Challenge held at ConExpo-Con/AGG 2026. Hayden attended the second day of the event stop in Scarborough. Maine. Hayden, who spends long days in the cab, said comfort, visibility and technology are among the first things he evaluates when stepping into a new machine.
“When I get into a new machine, I’m looking at how comfortable it is, the features, the tech and the visibility,” he said.
After testing the 265 with a grader blade and machine control, Hayden pointed to the impact of integrated technology on finish work.
“You can put that road, driveway or parking lot perfectly to grade, first try,” he said. “You don’t have to get out and double check. It’s smooth, it’s right on the money.”
Hayden also emphasized the value of hands-on access to new equipment.
“You get to run brand new equipment and check it out, you can’t complain about that,” he said.
Among the biggest draws was the new Cat 319 Next Gen excavator, which arrived directly from its appearance at ConExpo. The compact radius machine drew attention for combining increased lifting capability, integrated grade technology and the transportability many contractors need for residential, utility and site development work. One attendee said the 319 offered exactly the type of size and capability many contractors need.
“It’s small enough that I can put it on my tag trailer behind my dump truck, which is important to me because I can move it myself rather than hire a low bed every time,” said Caleb Ainsworth, owner of Ainsworth Associates Excavating. “The high lifting capacity over my 317 makes it so we can set residential house-site septic tanks down behind the house.”
Thomas W. Grace of Proctor, Vt., pointed to the machine’s zero-tail swing as a key advantage in the field.
“The zero tail makes it a lot safer and easier to operate, it’s compact,” he said. “One of the biggest machines I would own with a blade.”
Sean Jacob of RSC Building praised the integrated grade features on the 319.
“The built-in integrated grade system is super handy, great for foundations, great for septic systems,” he said. “It cuts down on having that middleman jumping in and out.”
The Mini Metal Tour also gave contractors a chance to evaluate newer machine capabilities and technologies against aging fleets and changing labor realities. Several attendees noted that technology and ease of operation are becoming increasingly important as experienced labor becomes harder to find.
“I would definitely recommend this event to anybody,” Jacob said. “Anybody that’s looking to either change up the equipment they’re running or just look at what’s new out there. Get out of your 20-year-old machine and see what’s out there for added features.”
Facility tours also were a part of each of the events and customers walked away emphasizing the value of dealer support.
“Milton CAT always provides the support we need, especially parts,” one customer said. “They always have the parts either here or the next day.”
Those sentiments were reinforced by Hayden. “One thing that makes these machines easy to trust is the name on the side. I mean, it’s backed by the dealer support. You know what you are getting when you’re getting a Milton CAT machine.”
Originally launched last year, Milton CAT’s Mini Metal Tour expanded in 2026 by opening registration to more customers and increasing access across additional stops. The result was even stronger attendance than the inaugural run, reinforcing the growing demand for hands-on opportunities where contractors can test equipment that delivers greater productivity, smarter technology and versatile performance across a wide range of job sites.
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