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So many Case threads. Either really popular, or unreliable?
- Thread starter skata
- Start date
Where did you get that number?
Swetz
Senior Member
When I joined HEF I was in the market for a backhoe. As I read all of the new posts, to me, it seamed like one john deere after another, and I got kinda scared of them much as you have stated about the Case. As time goes by, it seems like all the brands have their fair share of threads. As Vetech said, there are a lot of them out there, so it makes sense that they do break down from time to time.
Willie B
Senior Member
I don't know. I have had three Case backhoes, two John Deere. When a Case needs work, my Case dealer has gone above & beyond. John Deere, the standard response is "No Longer Available."
Problems I have had with Case have mostly been the result of wear or neglect. Rust, & wiring harness issues could have been prevented with indoor storage.
My newest, a 580 Super N 2014 model is new enough to have too many computers & alarms. Transmission won't go into first.
Took it to the dealer yesterday. I'll let you know how it turns out.
18 years I have had nothing but good to say about my Case dealer, they are fantastic with parts, and the few times I have needed service they have been excellent.
Problems I have had with Case have mostly been the result of wear or neglect. Rust, & wiring harness issues could have been prevented with indoor storage.
My newest, a 580 Super N 2014 model is new enough to have too many computers & alarms. Transmission won't go into first.
Took it to the dealer yesterday. I'll let you know how it turns out.
18 years I have had nothing but good to say about my Case dealer, they are fantastic with parts, and the few times I have needed service they have been excellent.
edgephoto
Senior Member
I bought an older Caterpillar. Glad I did because parts are pretty much available in a matter of a day or two. Mine was built in '88 or '89.
I have had John Deere equipment before. Parts get obsoleted way too quick. JD was not on my shopping list.
I think Case makes less expensive machines than some of the other brands therefore they end up in the hands of DIY. DIYers typically go to forums looking for info, help, etc. Pros don't as a general rule.
I have had John Deere equipment before. Parts get obsoleted way too quick. JD was not on my shopping list.
I think Case makes less expensive machines than some of the other brands therefore they end up in the hands of DIY. DIYers typically go to forums looking for info, help, etc. Pros don't as a general rule.
Think of it like this..... case isn’t any different than GM. The more there are, the more good reviews, bad reviews, complaints, recalls, etc.
Not to mention they have been around for 50+ years, so a lot of machines are out there. Most of the threads I see here are discussing machines in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Not bad if you ask me.
Midnightmoon
Senior Member
Didnt case make the first backhoe. No machine is 100% they all have problems. I see more old case equipment then any others but that may just be a geographical thing. Old case skid steere are the oldest skid steere I see. No Bobcats, kubota, deere, or cat. Lots of old 1840's still running around
willie59
Administrator
History of the backhoe loader: https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/a-look-at-the-history-of-the-backhoe-loader/25186
I came across a similar article, and it seems wain-roy and jcb were the first to produce backhoes, and case came out a little later. jcb sells over 50% of the backhoes worldwide today. That's an impressive statistic.
Case was the north american market leader in backhoe sales for 30 years deere started making backhoes in 71 case started in the 60s cat didn't come along till the end of the 80s and cats answer to making backhoes was hire guys from case
But think of it this way I bet there are 100s of thousands of case backhoes average world wide backhoe numbers a year are 10000 to 15000 and that is half of what was made 15 years ago mini ex have really cut into the backhoe market
But think of it this way I bet there are 100s of thousands of case backhoes average world wide backhoe numbers a year are 10000 to 15000 and that is half of what was made 15 years ago mini ex have really cut into the backhoe market
Willie B
Senior Member
A local bought one new in the mid sixties. He made his living with it 35 years.
Some people don't retire, they get tired. His business faded as more excavators took the jobs he once did. New houses got BIG.
One day i came upon his backhoe on its side on the edge of a brook 3/4? mile from his home. I later learned he had been found dead, run over by the left rear tire. What route it took, I've never known. The tractor travelled unmanned down a steep hill a very long way unmanned, until it flipped on the brook bank.
Later, it was found he had a heart attack. Seems he collapsed, fell in front of the wheel.
I've never known if it was the same machine, but an identical 530 Construction King became the only digger for another excavator. He made a sort of living 10? years with it. He played the disability game, got a SSI pension, but kept the backhoe. It has been on a used car dealer's lot several years for sale.
I can't estimate how many hours this thing has on it, I'll guess staggering!
My theory: There are a great many old Case machines in possession of hobbyist diggers. They seek advice for the many old age problems these tractors have due to age, wear, and neglect.
Some people don't retire, they get tired. His business faded as more excavators took the jobs he once did. New houses got BIG.
One day i came upon his backhoe on its side on the edge of a brook 3/4? mile from his home. I later learned he had been found dead, run over by the left rear tire. What route it took, I've never known. The tractor travelled unmanned down a steep hill a very long way unmanned, until it flipped on the brook bank.
Later, it was found he had a heart attack. Seems he collapsed, fell in front of the wheel.
I've never known if it was the same machine, but an identical 530 Construction King became the only digger for another excavator. He made a sort of living 10? years with it. He played the disability game, got a SSI pension, but kept the backhoe. It has been on a used car dealer's lot several years for sale.
I can't estimate how many hours this thing has on it, I'll guess staggering!
My theory: There are a great many old Case machines in possession of hobbyist diggers. They seek advice for the many old age problems these tractors have due to age, wear, and neglect.
JL Sargent
Senior Member
We've discussed this one before. There are simply more Case machines out there than any other.
I know of at least 5 Case backhoes that are within 10 miles of me.............all have been sitting for years with weeds around them as tall as me. It seems EVERYONE had a Case backhoe back in the day.
Willie B
Senior Member
My first backhoe was a 1974 John Deere 410. It was already old when I bought it. I didn't pay much, so I should have surmised something wasn't said. It had little wear in any pivots, rear bucket had little wear, and front was still in very good condition, except they hadn't replaced the weld on cutting edge when they should. They had done a crude job of repairing it.
I drove it home 9 miles & didn't make it. It leaked Hy-tran bad! That proved to be a cracked hydraulic fitting. Cheap fix, near impossible to get to it.
It dug fine first half hour, then ran out of power. That's when I learned the dealer 25 miles from home was closed Nortrax (70 miles away was my closest dealer.
A lot of research later, someone suggested an infra red camera as a diagnostic tool. I sent the 6 section valve to New Hampshire Hydraulics. They responded that 2 of six sections had been defective when new.
John Deere said NLA.
NHH eventually sold me an aftermarket valve that didn't fit. I had to build a new joystick assembly to fit the new valve.
25 years later, I bought another JD. The experience was similar. Dealer offered no solution, only NLA. After many calls I asked to speak to the Service Manager. "We can rebuild it for you, or sell you the rebuild kit." After all that, it was simple!
I've never seen that with Case.
I drove it home 9 miles & didn't make it. It leaked Hy-tran bad! That proved to be a cracked hydraulic fitting. Cheap fix, near impossible to get to it.
It dug fine first half hour, then ran out of power. That's when I learned the dealer 25 miles from home was closed Nortrax (70 miles away was my closest dealer.
A lot of research later, someone suggested an infra red camera as a diagnostic tool. I sent the 6 section valve to New Hampshire Hydraulics. They responded that 2 of six sections had been defective when new.
John Deere said NLA.
NHH eventually sold me an aftermarket valve that didn't fit. I had to build a new joystick assembly to fit the new valve.
25 years later, I bought another JD. The experience was similar. Dealer offered no solution, only NLA. After many calls I asked to speak to the Service Manager. "We can rebuild it for you, or sell you the rebuild kit." After all that, it was simple!
I've never seen that with Case.
heymccall
Senior Member
As of 2005, Case had already produced 500,000 backhoes.
In their 175th year, 2017, Case had already produced 500,000 skidsteers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_Construction_Equipment?wprov=sfla1
In their 175th year, 2017, Case had already produced 500,000 skidsteers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_Construction_Equipment?wprov=sfla1
Billrog
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2016
- Messages
- 725
- Location
- Armstrong, British Columbia
- Occupation
- band mill , backhoe and dump truck
I'm on my 4th Case backhoe since 1989 sold the first 3 with between 15 and 20 thou. hrs and have 8,000+ hrs on the one I now use. I have not spent over $4,000.00 in repairs yet altogether. I maintain them and have done all repairs but one myself. Must also add the Case dealer here always bent over backwards to advise and supply any necessary parts. Never had one that used and oil or didn't start right up until -10 C. BTW 99% of the time they were plugged in once it got near freezing unless on a job sight.