2012 Case TR 270

You guys have posted a lot of interesting info about the Alpha series and I am now thinking of sticking with a 400 series. The front idler mount on the pictures doesn't look as stout as the 400 series but I understand the mud build and the new design looks beneficial. I am an H-pattern junkie and the only other machine I have run with it is a Deere. I would look at other models but do not like the controls. Also the SVL 95-2 are going any where from $80,000 to $95,000 in our area but people say they are beasts. I have a 420ct-3 now and it surprised the hell out of me. I recently bought a hydraulic squeeze chute and the truck driver told me it weighed 5200#. I stabbed it with the forks and that machined picked it right up and put it into place. We have a standing offer on the tr270 now but the guy won't budge. The other thing is that it is a mechanical control and not the
E-H. Will we have the some of the same issues as posted before?

Honestly keep your 420-3 you have the 3rd generation which was the updated version with all the fixes case learned from the previous 2 series. I can say that of all cases skids the one I see the least is the series 3 400's. By purchasing the tr270 if it's a tier 4A " easiest way to tell is the rear door is power tan, tier 4b are gray " then yes you could have some of the common issues but will depend on previous owners maintenance and since it's mechanical you won't see Alot of the eletrical issues the EH units had.

I agree with bartelbe, I'd keep the machine that's been working good for you as long as possible. I have a NH tractor that I do driveways with that's ticked over 3200hrs. It was trouble free for the first 2200hrs, and hasn't cost me too much since. For most of those hours the machine was used for a bunch of tasks it was never designed for. It's been a great money maker.

bartelbe - Thank you for taking the time to run down the TR's upgrades. If I wasn't so sour on the whole thing I'd be tempted. I do like the breakout on the TR320 and the A/C is nothing short of awesome. If it weren't for the sucky dealership (construction btw) and the $15k I've spent making the machine semi dependable, I'd be tempted to give the new model a try. A lot of things have happened with this machine, but the cab fire during a rainstorm pretty much nixed any brand loyalty that I might have had in the beginning.

I find it interesting also to read about the new Case machine problems. I have a TL150 which is still king in my book. But I am considering upgrading my 75xt with a Case TV280 machine. Looking the new machine over I can see that the bucket linkage on the new machines is inferior to my older machine. I also see that the loader arms must be raised to access the drive area. I have had a hose blow on a job in the belly of my 75 xt. I was able to tilt the cab to fix it. Case had a good thing going with those older machines. Based on the everything. IF you run the 75xt out of fuel you can get to the fuel injector nuts, banjo bolt and the pump fairly easily to get it primed back up with just an adjustable wrench. You can tell there was a designer(s) that worked there that had great forethought for problems the common man would face. I wish I could shake their hands and say good job. I called Case recently and asked to speak to an engineer at the factory. I wanted to ask some questions about the new sv280 vs the 75xt, they told me to call the dealer, no one was available to answer my questions that the dealer has no clue on. That really pissed me off.

They should have worked on making the machine better without a complete redesign of things that worked good as it was. Make it stronger and more break proof, like better drive motors and double hydraulic filters before and after the pumps.

So far I have not upgraded, I think I am afraid too.. I can tell the new machines are faster and have more torque. They now have turbos, high pressure fuel systems, computers and emissions crap that is more or less impossible to work on your self. Makes me even wonder why I want a new machine. Well I can answer that, I don't mind repairing what I have. I want a cab with a/c to keep the dust off me.

Everyone puts so much importance on dealer support, but I've learned time and time again the only person you can rely on is yourself. I've bought new equipment and used equipment, they all need work. Not sure the new stuff is any better to be honest in my opinion. I can't say I really want to be an equipment salesman, but it really wouldn't be too hard to do a much better job that most of them. Maybe just because i genuinely really like this stuff.

People say it from time to time, but CAT really has got it down. Not perfect, but the support, parts, and professionalism is unreal. We have a 35 year old CAT yard machine and you can still get any single thing you need for it in 48 hours or less. Sometimes it's new old stock parts in a dusty bag from the late 70's. Not to say they are the 'best'. (That is the only cat machine we have in a fleet of 8 machines) but it is a really solid company and I know exactly why people choose caterpillar.

Jnb, it does appear you got a lemon but you speak about your disappointment about the service from the dealer- what was your expectation when you bought the machine private party? Granted the issues you have had are unwarranted, but any move you make in this biz (especially buying used) lies on you. All you can do is keep moving forward, I understand completely why you wouldn't have another case.

I grew up with case equipment and have a soft spot in my heart for them and think they make a good product, but in all honesty I won't be buying an alpha series case until I am absolutely FORCED to. And, for no other reason than the electric over hydraulic controls. No way those are going to still be working well in 10 years. I'll stick with my takeuchi's or a kubota with good old pilots and simplicity.

I think it's time for me to start looking for a nice 440ct-3....

hollowellreid said:

Jnb, it does appear you got a lemon but you speak about your disappointment about the service from the dealer- what was your expectation when you bought the machine private party? Granted the issues you have had are unwarranted, but any move you make in this biz (especially buying used) lies on you. All you can do is keep moving forward, I understand completely why you wouldn't have another case.

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My expectations were that the dealer could replace a drivemotor without screwing something else up and then trying to sweep it under the rug. A wire was pinched somewhere causing a short and resulting in a fire which took out the entire main wiring harness. This happened with zero hours on the machine after the repair. Several calls, documentation and online contacts with Case didn't help. When I asked to speak to the regional rep, I was told that they (Case) doesn't operate that way and to contact the dealer. Another dealership's (same company) service manager got wind of it and tried to make it right, but when they picked up the machine a chain broke and slammed through the back of my wife's grandparents motorhome. The service manager apologized and asked us to get an estimate for the repair, then swept that under a rug as well. The fiasco of trying to get the motorhome repaired was insane, both with ASCO and Case. Trying to get it resolved in traditional ways (like talking to actual people) was a complete waste of time. I paid for the repairs to the motorhome and moved on, but my wife didn't. The stay at home mom's persistence in slamming them both on FB (of all places) actually worked. It took months.

Since the ordeal, the service managers at both dealerships that screwed up act like I'm a black sheep or something. Maybe they're both embarrassed? Don't know. Screw them and Case. But I'm not bitter or nothin.