10 hours ago
After the year 2000, a new piece of equipment started turning heads on the roads of Shenyang — the Case 580L backhoe loader (commonly referred to as a “two-in-one” machine). When people first saw it, the rate of turning heads was almost 100%. This caught the attention of the leadership at the Shenyang Water Supply Company (the predecessor of Shenyang Water Group). A year later, they made the decision to purchase one. By November 2001, the Case 580L was delivered. At that time, there were only three Case 580Ls in Shenyang—one owned by our company and two by the Shenyang Gas Company.
The arrival of the Case 580L marked the beginning of a new era for us. First, its speed of 40 kilometers per hour allowed us to quickly transfer between repair sites, significantly shortening the travel time. Secondly, the machine’s excavating and loading control levers are fewer than most other machines, making it easy to operate and further reducing the time needed for repairs. Lastly, the low failure rate meant that the Case 580L was able to maintain reliable performance, day after day.
Initially, some people doubted the decision to purchase the machine for 580,000 yuan, but over time, the Case 580L proved its worth. The performance of the equipment won over the team, and everyone gave a thumbs up to the decision.
Maintenance and Issues
Over the nine years of working with the Case 580L, many stories have unfolded. One of the first issues I encountered was related to the gearbox oil. At first, we didn’t realize that a special torque fluid was required for the gearbox, rather than regular transmission oil. This led to the machine’s performance degrading after two years, especially in summer when its movement became sluggish. After sending it to the repair center, we found out that the gearbox had become clogged with the wrong oil, and we had to spend more than 30,000 yuan to repair it. Apart from this major repair, most of the maintenance involved replacing wear-and-tear parts, such as the central control switch for the tracks, which wore down due to prolonged use, and the gear shift lever, which broke after frequent shifting. The engine, however, continued to perform admirably without any major repairs. Overall, the Cummins 4BT3.9 engine has shown excellent durability.
Annually, we also had to replace the excavator’s bucket teeth as part of regular maintenance.
Handling and Driving Experience
The handling of the Case 580L is very smooth and user-friendly. It comes equipped with a three-spoke steering wheel. Thanks to its fully hydraulic system, the steering is very light and precise, allowing the driver to turn the wheel with just two full rotations. The loader’s control lever is single, which makes operation comfortable and quick, while the excavator’s controls are dual, allowing for efficient and quick combination movements. The gearshift lever is conveniently placed on the right side, and shifting is smooth. Additionally, the handbrake and loader controls have a break-away button, which makes operation more convenient.
The seat is equipped with a shock-absorbing design, enhancing comfort during long hours of work.
Modifications and Customization
In terms of modifications, not many changes have been made to the vehicle itself, apart from upgrades to the entertainment system. The original radio was replaced with a DVD system with visual capability. The number of speakers was increased from two to four, and although I considered adding a subwoofer, the limited space in the cabin prevented me from doing so. I also added a police-style roof light.
Drawbacks
While the Case 580L performs well overall, there are several areas in the cabin design that could use improvement. First, the engine is relatively old and lacks electronic control, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to more modern competitors like JCB. Secondly, the steering wheel cannot be adjusted, unlike JCB models, which provide adjustable steering columns for better comfort. The seat cannot recline, which makes long hours of operation tiring. Additionally, the maintenance costs are relatively high because all parts must be sourced from the manufacturer, and there is no aftermarket option. This makes maintenance expensive, especially for parts like filters and lubricants.
About Case
Case Construction Equipment has a history of over 160 years, founded by J.I. Case and initially producing steam rollers and graders in the late 19th century. Over the years, Case has expanded its product line and by 1912 had become a full-line construction equipment manufacturer. The company has been known for its industry "firsts" and continues to lead in innovation in construction machinery and solutions. Today, Case offers 15 product lines and 90 models of machinery designed to meet the challenges of tough work environments. With a global presence in over 160 countries, Case provides extensive support and service to its customers worldwide.
Conclusion
Overall, the Case 580L backhoe loader has proven itself to be a reliable and versatile machine, ideal for rapid transitions between repair sites and various tasks. Although it does have some room for improvement in terms of cabin design and parts availability, it has delivered consistent, high-performance results. For teams engaged in urban infrastructure projects or emergency repairs, the Case 580L has certainly proven to be a valuable investment. We hope Case will continue to improve on details and make spare parts more accessible for the Chinese market in the future.
The arrival of the Case 580L marked the beginning of a new era for us. First, its speed of 40 kilometers per hour allowed us to quickly transfer between repair sites, significantly shortening the travel time. Secondly, the machine’s excavating and loading control levers are fewer than most other machines, making it easy to operate and further reducing the time needed for repairs. Lastly, the low failure rate meant that the Case 580L was able to maintain reliable performance, day after day.
Initially, some people doubted the decision to purchase the machine for 580,000 yuan, but over time, the Case 580L proved its worth. The performance of the equipment won over the team, and everyone gave a thumbs up to the decision.
Maintenance and Issues
Over the nine years of working with the Case 580L, many stories have unfolded. One of the first issues I encountered was related to the gearbox oil. At first, we didn’t realize that a special torque fluid was required for the gearbox, rather than regular transmission oil. This led to the machine’s performance degrading after two years, especially in summer when its movement became sluggish. After sending it to the repair center, we found out that the gearbox had become clogged with the wrong oil, and we had to spend more than 30,000 yuan to repair it. Apart from this major repair, most of the maintenance involved replacing wear-and-tear parts, such as the central control switch for the tracks, which wore down due to prolonged use, and the gear shift lever, which broke after frequent shifting. The engine, however, continued to perform admirably without any major repairs. Overall, the Cummins 4BT3.9 engine has shown excellent durability.
Annually, we also had to replace the excavator’s bucket teeth as part of regular maintenance.
Handling and Driving Experience
The handling of the Case 580L is very smooth and user-friendly. It comes equipped with a three-spoke steering wheel. Thanks to its fully hydraulic system, the steering is very light and precise, allowing the driver to turn the wheel with just two full rotations. The loader’s control lever is single, which makes operation comfortable and quick, while the excavator’s controls are dual, allowing for efficient and quick combination movements. The gearshift lever is conveniently placed on the right side, and shifting is smooth. Additionally, the handbrake and loader controls have a break-away button, which makes operation more convenient.
The seat is equipped with a shock-absorbing design, enhancing comfort during long hours of work.
Modifications and Customization
In terms of modifications, not many changes have been made to the vehicle itself, apart from upgrades to the entertainment system. The original radio was replaced with a DVD system with visual capability. The number of speakers was increased from two to four, and although I considered adding a subwoofer, the limited space in the cabin prevented me from doing so. I also added a police-style roof light.
Drawbacks
While the Case 580L performs well overall, there are several areas in the cabin design that could use improvement. First, the engine is relatively old and lacks electronic control, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to more modern competitors like JCB. Secondly, the steering wheel cannot be adjusted, unlike JCB models, which provide adjustable steering columns for better comfort. The seat cannot recline, which makes long hours of operation tiring. Additionally, the maintenance costs are relatively high because all parts must be sourced from the manufacturer, and there is no aftermarket option. This makes maintenance expensive, especially for parts like filters and lubricants.
About Case
Case Construction Equipment has a history of over 160 years, founded by J.I. Case and initially producing steam rollers and graders in the late 19th century. Over the years, Case has expanded its product line and by 1912 had become a full-line construction equipment manufacturer. The company has been known for its industry "firsts" and continues to lead in innovation in construction machinery and solutions. Today, Case offers 15 product lines and 90 models of machinery designed to meet the challenges of tough work environments. With a global presence in over 160 countries, Case provides extensive support and service to its customers worldwide.
Conclusion
Overall, the Case 580L backhoe loader has proven itself to be a reliable and versatile machine, ideal for rapid transitions between repair sites and various tasks. Although it does have some room for improvement in terms of cabin design and parts availability, it has delivered consistent, high-performance results. For teams engaged in urban infrastructure projects or emergency repairs, the Case 580L has certainly proven to be a valuable investment. We hope Case will continue to improve on details and make spare parts more accessible for the Chinese market in the future.
