Looking at first backhoe - Case 580B CK

[chavez]

Hi Everyone! I'm looking for a 'budget' backhoe for some land improvement in preparation for building a house. This will include moving some fill around, digging up stumps, etc - perhaps more fun than work. I'm handy with tools and work on my own vehicles but never worked on heavy equipment or hydraulics.

What would a 1976 Case 580B CK 2WD be worth? The hour meter is showing 46xx hours but I'm unsure if the meter is working. I'll be meeting the owner this weekend to test. The machine looks overal OK to me for the age but I really don't know what I'm looking at. What is the difference between the shuttle trans and the hydrostatic trans? How can I tell which it has?

At first glance I noticed there are a few leaks on some fittings and the exhaust manifold has a hole from rusting though.

Owner says he used it 10 times in the past 4 years, all the pins are tight except for the right and left swivel. Says the front tires are newer. I noticed one of the rear tires has some cracking in it. It has a cab but not all the glass is there. I did notice a heater also.

Any advice you can give me would be great. Thanks!

 

[biggixxerjim]

Maybe 5-6k, :beatsme Thats a pretty old machine..... a lot of it depends on your area as well. Thats what I would offer him around here...

 

[pwrstroke6john]

A 76 backhoe is a real old machine,that old it will be probally be a 4 speed, maybe a clutch I've never been on a machine that old personally.

 

[digger242j]

What is the difference between the shuttle trans and the hydrostatic trans? How can I tell which it has?

Our first backhoe was a 79 580C. What you're looking at might be similar. If I recall correctly, there was a choice between a dry clutch, and a "power shuttle". I can't say for certain, but I'd bet that what you're calling a "shuttle" is a dry clutch, with a forward and reverse shifter, and a 4-speed transaxle behind that. You get four speeds forward, and the same four speeds in reverse.

The "power shuttle" would be a hydrostatic forward and reverse, and then the same 4 speed transaxle.

There's not any difference in the tranny, only in how you shift it. The power shuttle is definitely the easier setup to do any work with.

 

[chavez]

The only reason why I asked about the transmission was that there are two models listed on the Case parts website. This is how they are described:

580B CASE CONSTRUCTION KING TRACTOR W/SHUTTLE TRANSMISSION
or
580B CASE CONSTRUCTION KING WHEEL TRACTOR W/HYDROSTATIC TRANSMISSION

I'm going to try to go there today and post pictures.

 

[mitch man]

Just got one......

W/SHUTTLE shift, power shift from fwd/rev. piad $6000.00 in CO ( A steal here) Runs out strong, can sit forever and fire right up......An old Case tractors never get never gets tired, it's the owner that gets exhausted! The only thing thats a bummer is the 4 stick control...but once you run it for a couple of hours you'll hit the groove....

 

[chavez]

Here are some pics:

 

[Bayrat]

That machine does not look too bad!

You are not too far from NYS. There is a decent 480 4x4 posted here for sale, I looked at it a couple of weeks ago. It shows around 27oo on the meter if I recall and the only thing I could really fault the machine on was old rubber. I was ready to buy that one but stumbled on a much newer one for a great price and took it instead. :drinkup

 

[chavez]

More:

 

[Phil]

Chaves,
I came across a true Hydrostatic drive 580B in the bush this summer. Rare according to my friend who used to own a Case dealership. The 'shuttle 'lever' is shorter and the housing behind the engine is definitely different.Same hydraulic pump and motor as in the Case forklift, they worked good when they were working. There is a disconnect lever on the transmission case.I feel sorry for anyone who needs parts. On the Case parts sight I think you will find that the picture of the Hydrostatic backhoe shows a large pump and a large motor inside. I would stay away from it if it is.

I've never seen a 580B that didn't have a hydraulic shuttle, but it's possible some were made direct drive. The clutch pedal on a hydraulic shuttle model is a dump valve. 580B's had 2 different hydraulic shuttle clutch assemblies, the Rockwell and the Twin Disk. Most B's have the letter T or R stamped after the serial #, located on the right side of the steering column. Twin disk shuttles are not well thought of and prone to problems, also hard to rebuild. A Rockwell is a good unit with long life and will tolerate dirty oil unlike the Twin Disk.

Later 580B's approaching 1975 had the hoe valve body mounted up high and was nice to work on. 580B's are difficult to work on compared to a C model.Removing the shuttle is a big job, as is the differential housing, or the radiator.They have a weaker front axle, costly to fix wear in the spindles.The loader frame cracked where it joins. It's hard to find one that hasn't been welded and/or plated.580B's had mechanical linkage for brake actuation, cheaper to fix than later models.The engine is not mounted in rubber. Later models are much smoother running in rubber mounts.Although the C and D used a similar 207 engine, the 580B G188 engine suffers the same age problems as the 207.They can crack between the liners from top to bottom. This as well as leaking liner O-rings can cause coolant in the oil. As they get older, fewer used blocks can be found as well as other B parts.Check the boom latch also, they are expensive to replace.580B's have good cabs with heavy metal; they last a long time, see if you can get the half door with it.

In Ontario very good B's run up to $12K. The same C model up to about $13,000. This is with extendahoe which can add $500 to the price of an older hoe. I never pay attention to the hour meter on a machine that old. Tach cables break often and people just leave them that way. On a warm machine the hoe should lift the machine off the ground easily on a high idle. This is with the dipper vertical.

Before buying a B, keep this in mind. If you can afford a C, it's a much better machine with many, many, many improvements.

I hope I've helped a little, it's my first post, not trying to sound like a know it all. Phil

 

[Countryboy]

I hope I've helped a little, it's my first post, not trying to sound like a know it all. Phil

Well, not exactly your first post but I'll give you a "Welcome" anyways.

Welcome to HEF Phil! :drinkup

 

[chavez]

WOW, Thanks for the info Phil!

Chaves,
I came across a true Hydrostatic drive 580B in the bush this summer. Rare according to my friend who used to own a Case dealership. The 'shuttle 'lever' is shorter and the housing behind the engine is definitely different.Same hydraulic pump and motor as in the Case forklift, they worked good when they were working. There is a disconnect lever on the transmission case.I feel sorry for anyone who needs parts. On the Case parts sight I think you will find that the picture of the Hydrostatic backhoe shows a large pump and a large motor inside. I would stay away from it if it is.

I'll try to see if I can tell the difference. It does say shuttle on the dash but not sure if that tells me anything.

I've never seen a 580B that didn't have a hydraulic shuttle, but it's possible some were made direct drive. The clutch pedal on a hydraulic shuttle model is a dump valve. 580B's had 2 different hydraulic shuttle clutch assemblies, the Rockwell and the Twin Disk. Most B's have the letter T or R stamped after the serial #, located on the right side of the steering column. Twin disk shuttles are not well thought of and prone to problems, also hard to rebuild. A Rockwell is a good unit with long life and will tolerate dirty oil unlike the Twin Disk.

I'm going to bring this post with me

Later 580B's approaching 1975 had the hoe valve body mounted up high and was nice to work on. 580B's are difficult to work on compared to a C model.Removing the shuttle is a big job, as is the differential housing, or the radiator.They have a weaker front axle, costly to fix wear in the spindles.The loader frame cracked where it joins. It's hard to find one that hasn't been welded and/or plated.580B's had mechanical linkage for brake actuation, cheaper to fix than later models.The engine is not mounted in rubber. Later models are much smoother running in rubber mounts.Although the C and D used a similar 207 engine, the 580B G188 engine suffers the same age problems as the 207.They can crack between the liners from top to bottom. This as well as leaking liner O-rings can cause coolant in the oil. As they get older, fewer used blocks can be found as well as other B parts.Check the boom latch also, they are expensive to replace.580B's have good cabs with heavy metal; they last a long time, see if you can get the half door with it.

Half door?

In Ontario very good B's run up to $12K. The same C model up to about $13,000. This is with extendahoe which can add $500 to the price of an older hoe. I never pay attention to the hour meter on a machine that old. Tach cables break often and people just leave them that way. On a warm machine the hoe should lift the machine off the ground easily on a high idle. This is with the dipper vertical.

Do you mean it should pick up the machine by 'boom lower' only?

Before buying a B, keep this in mind. If you can afford a C, it's a much better machine with many, many, many improvements.

I hope I've helped a little, it's my first post, not trying to sound like a know it all. Phil

The guy says he'll take $5500.00, Phil, what are you doing Saturday?

 

[digger242j]

Chavez, if you get that one, the first thing to do is get a grill in the front end. Radiators are neither cheap nor crush-resistant.

 

[coopers]

Oh that machine brings back memories....they are good machines but Phil hit it on the head. If you can find a C and afford it get it. Also seriously consider an extendahoe. Our B's were such a pain in the butt to work on and although they did their job they were getting old and it was somewhat frustrating the lack of power they would have sometimes.

Blake
WA

 

[Phil]

Thanks for the welcome countryboy; I can't figure out why it says 4 posts. I'm sure I haven't posted here before but I'll put it down to memory lapse or old age. I've been trying for a long while to get a password but my e-mail is selective about who can get through.

Chaves, the excellent pictures posted show one style of half door(drivers). Yes push down on the boom lever. Same test as I would do on a C,D,or E. Lots of more experienced operators here to give you better advice on pump testing, I think. I just paid $4300 for a B that the owner said wouldn't go forward, it wouldn't start, had 3 liters of water in the engine oil pan, bad rear tire, and had sat for many years. Extendahoe lines were shot and a big chunk of the hoe bucket was ripped out. I had to pay $500 to get it home. I think the area you live in also affects the price, so I can't advise on price. Phil

 

[digger242j]

Not to hijack this thread, but you can find a person's posts by clicking on that button in their profile. Yes, Phil, you have posted before:

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/search.php?searchid=176804

The question is, why'd you stay away so long?

 

[Phil]

Digger you are correct, I have posted here before and those are my old posts. I have no idea what happened and I don't have any good excuses. Phil

 

[Phil]

Wanted to post a picture of a 580B shuttle assembly as the crow flies.Phil

 

[chavez]

Well the guy never returned my call when I called to confirm our meeting to test it out. So I've given up on this one. I have in the mean time looked at a few more and found another that I'm interested in. It's a 580C (unsure of the year). I will start a new thread and describe it. Opinions welcome.

 

[hmover]

New to forum

HI everbody new to forum also looking for first hoe.Got a w4 farm tractor and loader but just doesn't cut it looking at 1982 case 580sd 4x4 extenda hoe with 4 in one bucket.Backhoes are sure more i BC than down south.
Is this machine a good choice for snow plowing and general land
improvement work it has 5500hrs.Thanks hope this didn't hijack the thread.