Man What a Bad Day

[MikePhua]

This is a close, nuts-and-bolts look at a real field incident involving a Case 580C extendahoe that ended up half-submerged and temporarily unstartable. The aim is practical: tell the story, explain what likely happened (with plain mechanical reasoning and terminology), list diagnostic steps and repairs others have used successfully, and add a short equipment background so you understand what the machine is and why certain systems behave the way they do. The account is drawn from an operator’s incident report and consolidated with manufacturer/specification context.
The incident — a short story
An operator working a pond bank dug a big oak stump free, then tried to reposition. The backhoe/hoe section ended up in the water and the machine settled at about a 30° angle: the front loader was low in the mud, one rear tire was on dry ground while the other hung with only the stabilizer touching. After the upset the machine would not crank or run reliably — it felt “locked up.” The operator eventually had to have the machine pulled out by an 18-wheeler tow truck (a roughly $300 recovery), and after an hour the machine fired and ran fine. The community replies suggested hydraulic lock, oil migration, air in fuel returns, overloaded hydraulic circuits, stuck valves, or simple tilt-related starting inhibition as possible causes.
Equipment background (short & relevant)

• Model context: The Case 580C is a classic loader-backhoe (backhoe loader) that was produced in the 1970s/80s and is widely known for its 50–57 hp class diesel engine and its availability with a telescoping “Extendahoe” for extra reach. Typical published engine net power is about 50 hp and gross around 57 hp, with backhoe reach and loader lift figures in the published spec sheets.
  
• Manufacturer note: Case has made integrated backhoe loaders since the late 1950s and is today part of CNH/Case Construction Equipment. Over the decades Case backhoes have been widely used, with historical production milestones (for the broader product family) reported by the manufacturer. That long production history explains why older 580Cs remain common on small farms and rental fleets.
  

What likely happened (mechanical analysis)

• Hydraulic loading / binding: When a loader/backhoe settles at a steep angle with implements extended and the hydraulics under load, cylinders and valves can be trapped under pressure. If a cylinder is fully compressed with the implement bearing into the ground/water, the hydraulic pump and control circuits may see a locked-load condition. That makes cranking or turning the engine feel like “hydro lock” at the machine level (not to be confused with engine hydrolock from liquid in the combustion chamber). Operators reported that bleeding stabilizer hoses and relieving hydraulic pressure freed the system.
  
• Fluid migration and engine symptoms: When a machine rests at an angle, oil can flow into places it normally doesn’t—hydraulic oil into bores, or engine oil into cylinders if the crankcase is over-filled or seals are compromised. If oil migrates into the head or cylinders the result can be heavy smoking on initial start or temporary no-crank until oil drains back and clears. Several replies in the incident thread and similar field reports corroborate that machines sometimes start after sitting upright and draining for a while.
  
• Fuel return/air starvation possibility: If the fuel tank and pump positioning change relative to the engine (when the machine tilts), fuel return lines can trap air or the supply pickup can become uncovered, causing a no-run or rough-run condition once upright. Community diagnostics often point to checking tank level versus pump and gravity-fed return circuits.
  

Terms glossary (quick list)

• Hydro lock (hydraulics meaning): The hydraulic circuit or cylinders are mechanically prevented from moving because fluid is trapped under pressure or a valve/isolation has been engaged.
  
• Hydrolock (engine meaning): Liquid (fuel/coolant/water/engine oil) in the combustion chamber preventing piston movement — a different problem.
  
• Extendahoe: A telescoping backhoe stick that extends reach; changes geometry and can influence leverage and loading when extended.
  
• Stabilizer: Rear outriggers used to steady a backhoe; can trap pressure if valve or lines are stuck.
  

Field diagnostics checklist (prioritized, as a list)

1. Confirm operator safety first — ensure machine is stable and power is isolated before working around mudbank or water.
   
2. Stabilize and recover — if the machine is unstable, recovering it to flat ground is often the simplest first step; many problems vanish after righting. In this case the operator used a tow recovery.
   
3. Relieve hydraulic pressure — chock cylinders in neutral, slowly open appropriate bleed ports or loosen fittings (with care) to relieve trapped pressure; some operators recommend moving certain control levers (e.g., loader handle back) while cranking to unload the pump.
   
4. Inspect fluid levels and contamination — check hydraulic oil (water contamination or emulsification), engine oil level/condition, and fuel system for air or contamination.
   
5. Check starter/crank behavior — distinguish “starter won’t crank” from “engine cranks but won’t fire.” If starter tries and engine feels stuck, suspect heavy hydraulic drag or mechanical hydrolock; if starter silent, check battery/solenoid/ignition circuits.
   
6. Bleed fuel system (if symptoms show fuel starvation) — prime fuel pump, vent fuel return lines, or lift fuel pickup to refill pump as needed.
   
7. Trial start after downtime — many units will start after sitting and gravity drains displaced oil. If it fires and smokes heavily, keep it running and monitor temperatures and oil pressure.
   
8. Follow-up service — if oil migrated into cylinders or hydraulic fluid got into unintended places, schedule an oil change, possibly a cylinder head inspection, and a hydraulic line flush as preventive measures.
   

Hands-on repair suggestions (practical list)

• Loosen fittings on suspect cylinders or stabilizers to vent trapped pressure — do this slowly and in a controlled way to avoid spraying hot fluid.
  
• Pull injectors or remove spark plugs (diesel: loosen injectors) while cranking to release compression if the engine truly won’t turn and you suspect hydrolock.
  
• Check air intake and filter — a clogged intake can amplify starting problems after an upset.
  
• If the starter engages but engine won’t rotate, check for foreign fluid in cylinders before forcing rotation — turning a flooded diesel can bend rods if done improperly.
  
• After recovery, run a smoke and blowdown observation — heavy smoke on start suggests oil in combustion chambers; let it idle and monitor.
  

Data and specification references (key numbers)

• Typical net power for the 580C family is about 50 hp (gross ~57 hp). Published loader breakout/lift and extendahoe reach figures are available in historical spec sheets; backhoe reach figures typically fall into the 13–22 ft class depending on stick configuration. These specs explain why the 580C, even though a compact backhoe loader, can sink and leverage under heavy earth loads when an extendahoe and heavy bucket are extended.
  

Related small stories & lessons from the field

• An owner who beached a machine on a bank found the engine wouldn’t crank. After bleeding stabilizer hoses and waiting an hour the engine fired with heavy smoke for a short duration and then ran normally; long-term no damage reported. Operators frequently call such events “dumb luck” — if you’re unhurt and the machine restarts, consider yourself fortunate.
  

Preventive suggestions (lists of best practices)

• Avoid extended work on unstable banks — when working near water, create a staging area or use mats to spread load.
  
• Regularly inspect stabilizer hoses and fittings — weak or corroded connections are more likely to leak or trap pressure.
  
• Maintain conservative fluid levels — don’t overfill engine crankcases or hydraulic reservoirs; allow for tilt and sump movement.
  
• Practice recovery drills — have a plan and access to recovery equipment or a tow service to minimize ad-hoc risky fixes.
  
• Train operators on “what to do if tipped” — including how to bleed hydraulic pressure and safe procedures for attempting a start after an upset.
  

Concluding notes
Upsets like this mix mechanical, hydraulic and human factors. The single biggest practical fix is to get a heavy machine upright and supported on level ground so gravity is no longer working against you — many symptoms disappear after that. If symptoms persist, work methodically: relieve hydraulic pressure first, then check fluid condition, then distinguish mechanical hydrolock from electrical/fuel issues. Older machines such as the Case 580C were engineered to be serviceable in the field, but that also means a disciplined diagnostic approach prevents costly follow-on damage.
Selected references used in this summary
(References include the incident report and published Case 580C specification and Case corporate history sources consulted to verify machine class, power figures and product context.)