Caterpillar 242B Series 3 specifications
Skid-steer loader · B3 Series
Caterpillar publishes an operating weight of 7,008 lb / 3,179 kg (inspected ). Evidence
Documented market: Caterpillar B3 Series Specalog AEHQ6131-02. Model availability varies by region.
Key facts
Both unit systems are shown; the selected one comes first. Brackets mark our approximate conversions.
Imperial units first.
- Operating weight
7,008 lb / 3,179 kgPublished
Details and evidence for operating weight- Machine width
66 in / 1,676 mmPublished
Details and evidence for machine width- Engine power
71–74 hp / 53–55 kW
Multiple configurations or rating bases.
- 71 hp / 53 kWNet power (SAE 1340 / ISO 9249)
- 74 hp / 55 kWGross power (SAE J1995)
- Rated operating capacity
2,150–2,200 lb / 975–1,000 kg
basis not stated
Multiple configurations or rating bases.
- 2,150 lb / 975 kgPublishedRated operating capacity
- 2,200 lb / 1,000 kgPublishedRated operating capacity with optional counterweight
The load the manufacturer rates the loader to carry, set as a share of its tipping load.
Details and evidence for rated operating capacity- Tipping load
4,300 lb / 1,950 kgPublished
Details and evidence for tipping load- Standard hydraulic flow
22 gpm / 83 L/min
Standard
Details and evidence for standard hydraulic flow- High hydraulic flow
31 gpm / 117 L/min
High Flow
Details and evidence for high hydraulic flow- Hydraulic pressure
3,335 psi / 23,000 kPa
Multiple configurations or rating bases.
- 3,335 psi / 23,000 kPaPublishedLoader hydraulic pressure · standard
- 3,335 psi / 23,000 kPaPublishedLoader hydraulic pressure · high flow
Documented applicability
- Documented market
- Caterpillar B3 Series Specalog AEHQ6131-02. Model availability varies by region.
- Model years
- Not established
- Serial range
- Not established
- Evidence
Detailed specifications
Each row keeps its manufacturer label and configuration. Separate rows do not define one combined machine configuration.
Operating weight
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Operating weight Dirt bucket, open ROPS, one speed, manual quick coupler, all fluids, 75 kg operator and no optional counterweights. Published: 3179 kg / 7,008 lb PDF p. 8 · B3 Series skid steer loaders · Specifications · 242B Series 3 · Operating weight | 7,008 lb / 3,179 kgPublished |
Machine width
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Vehicle width over tires Dirt bucket, open ROPS, one speed, manual quick coupler, all fluids, 75 kg operator and no optional counterweights. Dimensions use the named model column. Published: 1676 mm / 66 in PDF p. 11 · B3 Series skid steer loaders · Dimensions · 242B Series 3 · Vehicle width over tires | 66 in / 1,676 mmPublished |
Height
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Height to top of cab Dirt bucket, open ROPS, one speed, manual quick coupler, all fluids, 75 kg operator and no optional counterweights. Dimensions use the named model column. Published: 2019 mm / 79 in PDF p. 11 · B3 Series skid steer loaders · Dimensions · 242B Series 3 · Height to top of cab | 79 in / 2,019 mmPublished |
Length with bucket
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Length with bucket on ground Dirt bucket, open ROPS, one speed, manual quick coupler, all fluids, 75 kg operator and no optional counterweights. Dimensions use the named model column. Published: 3437 mm / 135.3 in PDF p. 11 · B3 Series skid steer loaders · Dimensions · 242B Series 3 · Length with bucket on ground | 135.3 in / 3,437 mmPublished |
Length without bucket / attachment
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Length without bucket Dirt bucket, open ROPS, one speed, manual quick coupler, all fluids, 75 kg operator and no optional counterweights. Dimensions use the named model column. Published: 2760 mm / 108.7 in PDF p. 11 · B3 Series skid steer loaders · Dimensions · 242B Series 3 · Length without bucket | 108.7 in / 2,760 mmPublished |
Engine power
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Net power (SAE 1340 / ISO 9249) Rating basis as printed in Specalog AEHQ6131-02. Published: 53 kW / 71 hp | 71 hp / 53 kWPublished; unit definition unspecified |
Gross power (SAE J1995) Rating basis as printed in Specalog AEHQ6131-02. Published: 55 kW / 74 hp PDF p. 8 · B3 Series skid steer loaders · Specifications · 242B Series 3 · Gross power (SAE J1995) | 74 hp / 55 kWPublished; unit definition unspecified |
Rated operating capacity
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Rated operating capacity Dirt bucket, open ROPS, one speed, manual quick coupler, all fluids, 75 kg operator and no optional counterweights. Published: 975 kg / 2,150 lb PDF p. 8 · B3 Series skid steer loaders · Specifications · 242B Series 3 · Rated operating capacity | 2,150 lb / 975 kgPublished |
Rated operating capacity with optional counterweight Rated operating capacity with the optional counterweight installed. Published: 1000 kg / 2,200 lb | 2,200 lb / 1,000 kgPublished |
Tipping load
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Tipping load Dirt bucket, open ROPS, one speed, manual quick coupler, all fluids, 75 kg operator and no optional counterweights. Published: 1950 kg / 4,300 lb PDF p. 8 · B3 Series skid steer loaders · Specifications · 242B Series 3 · Tipping load | 4,300 lb / 1,950 kgPublished |
Standard hydraulic flow
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Loader hydraulic flow · standard Standard hydraulic system. Published: 83 L/min / 22 gal/min | 22 gpm / 83 L/minPublished; unit definition unspecified |
High hydraulic flow
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Loader hydraulic flow · high flow High-flow option on 242B Series 3. Published: 117 L/min / 31 gal/min | 31 gpm / 117 L/minPublished; unit definition unspecified |
Hydraulic pressure
Source-supported
| Observation and evidence | Value |
|---|---|
Loader hydraulic pressure · standard Standard hydraulic system. Published: 23 000 kPa / 3,335 psi | 3,335 psi / 23,000 kPaPublished |
Loader hydraulic pressure · high flow High-flow option on 242B Series 3. Published: 23 000 kPa / 3,335 psi | 3,335 psi / 23,000 kPaPublished |
Configuration and source notes
- Power and hydraulic ratings use the cited Series 3 Specalog edition.
Manufacturer sources
- Caterpillar: 216B, 226B, 236B, 242B and 252B Series 3 skid steer loaders
AEHQ6131-02 · Inspected .
Viewer pages 8, 10 and 11 give the engine, hydraulics, working capacity and machine dimensions.
Record reviewed by Codex and Claude (AI-assisted review; no independent human review). Transcription by Codex. 2026-11-08: second comparison of every figure by Claude: the manufacturer PDFs re-downloaded, every value string checked on its cited page and row by script, and every cited table cell read again from the rendered page by separate readers who did not see the transcription; the New Holland viewer pages read by eye. No independent human review.