Steiger Cougar III ST-280
The Steiger Cougar III ST-280 is a tractor produced by Steiger. It is equipped with a 893 ci 14.6 L engine. The listed engine power is Diesel (listed): 280 hp / 208.8 kW; Diesel (listed): 280 hp / 208.8 kW. Transmission: Dana-Spicer 1010. Operating weight: 25600 to 30500 pounds.
Engine Power
Diesel (listed): 280 hp / 208.8 kW; Diesel (listed): 280 hp / 208.8 kW
Fuel & Capacities
15.1 gal/hour
57.2 l/hour
Transmission
Dana-Spicer 1010
Operating Weight
25600 to 30500 pounds
Overview
![]() | 1981 - 1983
III SeriesFour-wheel Drive (4WD) tractor
III Series
Four-wheel Drive (4WD) tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Steiger |
Four-wheel Drive (4WD) tractor | |
Built in Fargo, North Dakota, USA | |
Original price was $89,000 in 1983 | |
Steiger Cougar III ST-280 Transmission | |
|---|---|
20-speed | |
Transmission details ... |
Steiger Cougar III ST-280 Power | |
|---|---|
Engine | 280 hp
208.8 kW |
Drawbar (tested) | 249.69 hp
186.2 kW |
Performance test details ... | |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Four-wheel drive | |
Final drives | outboard planetary |
Articulated power steering | |
Hydraulic dry disc brakes | |
Safari Cab standard with heat and air-conditioning. | |
Hydraulics | |
|---|---|
Type | open center |
Pressure | 2250 psi
155.1 bar |
Valves | 3 to 5 |
Cat Pump flow | 31.9 gpm
120.7 lpm |
Cummins Pump flow | 28.6 gpm
108.3 lpm |
Tractor hitch | |
|---|---|
Rear Type | III OptOptional |
Dimensions & Tires | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 128 inches
325 cm |
Weight | 25600 to 30500 pounds |
Front tire | 18.4x38 |
Rear tire | 18.4x38 |
Full dimensions and tires ... | |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
Ground | negative |
Charging system | alternator |
Charging amps | 90 |
Battery volts | 12 |
References | |
|---|---|
![]() | |
ST Tractors published in 1981, by Steiger | |
ST Tractors published in 1982, by Steiger |
Engine
Engine options | |
|---|---|
Cummins 14.0L 6-cyl diesel | |
Caterpillar 14.6L 6-cyl diesel |
Engine Detail — 855 ci / 14.0 L Diesel
Manufacturer | Cummins NT-855C |
Configuration | turbocharged diesel, 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled inline |
Displacement | 855 ci
14.0 L |
Bore/Stroke | 5.50x6.00 inches
140 x 152 mm |
Power | 280 hp
208.8 kW |
Air cleaner | two paper elements |
Compression | 14.1:1 |
Rated RPM | 2100 |
Torque | 920 lb-ft
1247.5 Nm |
Torque RPM | 1400 |
Starter volts | 12 |
Oil capacity | 35 qts
33.1 L |
Coolant capacity | 61 qts
57.7 L |
Engine Detail — 893 ci / 14.6 L Diesel
Manufacturer | Caterpillar 3406DIT |
Configuration | turbocharged diesel, 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled inline |
Displacement | 893 ci
14.6 L |
Bore/Stroke | 5.40x6.50 inches
137 x 165 mm |
Power | 280 hp
208.8 kW |
Air cleaner | two paper elements |
Rated RPM | 2100 |
Torque | 945 lb-ft
1281.4 Nm |
Torque RPM | 1200 |
Starter volts | 12 |
Oil capacity | 36 qts
34.1 L |
Coolant capacity | 70 qts
66.2 L |
Transmission
Transmission — Dana-Spicer 1010
Transmission | Dana-Spicer 1010 |
Gears | 20 forward and 4 reverse |
Clutch | 393.7mm hydraulic dry disc |
Ten-speed transmission with two-speed transfer case. | |
![]() | |
Dimensions
Steiger Cougar III ST-280 Tires | |
|---|---|
Ag front | 18.4x38 |
20.8x34 | |
20.8x38 | |
23.1-34 | |
24.5x32 | |
30.5x32 | |
Ag rear | 18.4x38 |
20.8x34 | |
20.8x38 | |
23.1-34 | |
24.5x32 | |
30.5x32 | |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 128 inches
325 cm |
Length | 252 inches
640 cm |
Width | 96 inches (tractor body)
243 cm |
Height (exhaust) | 155.8 inches
395 cm |
Steiger Cougar III ST-280 Weight | |
|---|---|
Cummins Shipping | 25600 lbs
11612 kg |
Cat Shipping | 25900 lbs
11748 kg |
Operating | 30500 lbs
13834 kg |
Max capacity | 34000 lbs
15422 kg |
Tests
Tractor Tests | |
|---|---|
NTTL 1401: Cummins diesel 20-speed 4WD | |
NTTL 1412: Cat diesel 20-speed 4WD |
Nebraska Tractor Test 1401 | |
|---|---|
Cummins diesel 20-speed 4WD
August 27 - September 9, 1981
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 1401 file | |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 249.69 hp
186.2 kW |
Gear 12 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 31,517 lbs
14296 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Nebraska Tractor Test 1412 | |
|---|---|
Cat diesel 20-speed 4WD
October 19 - 30, 1981
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 1412 file | |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 247.27 hp
184.4 kW |
Fuel use | 15.1 gal/hour
57.2 l/hour |
Gear 10 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 32,462 lbs
14724 kg |
Gear 4 used for pull test. | |
Photos
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Steiger Cougar III ST-280.
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
Steiger Cougar III ST-280 Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for Steiger Cougar III ST-280.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)0 hp
Kilowatts (kW)0 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)0 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare Steiger Cougar III ST-280 against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
Steiger
Steiger Cougar III ST-280
Engine Power:Diesel (listed): 280 hp / 208.8 kW; Diesel (listed): 280 hp / 208.8 kW
★ Baseline Reference
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