New Holland C175 Compact Track Loader Review

[MikePhua]

Overview Of The New Holland C175
The New Holland C175 is a mid-size compact track loader designed for contractors and property owners who need strong lifting performance without moving up to a full-size crawler. Built in the late 2000s, it sits in the 60 horsepower class, with an operating weight of roughly 3.4 tonnes (about 7,500 lb), which makes it easy to transport on a typical dual-axle equipment trailer while still handling serious work such as grading, backfilling, material handling, and light land clearing.
This machine uses a vertical-lift linkage, giving it good reach at maximum height for loading trucks and hoppers. Paired with rubber tracks and relatively low ground pressure (around 5–6 psi depending on track width), it is well suited for soft or muddy conditions where wheeled skid steers struggle.
Engine And Powertrain
Under the rear hood, the C175 usually carries a Shibaura-built diesel (marketed under New Holland branding), model N844LT, a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine:

• Displacement about 2.2 L
  
• Gross power around 60 hp
  
• Net power about 56 hp
  
• Peak torque roughly 170–175 N·m at about 1,700 rpm
  

This power level places the C175 in the “mid-range compact” category: enough grunt to run a standard-flow hydraulic hammer, auger, or grapple, but not a dedicated high-flow mulcher.
The engine is liquid-cooled and generally simple to service: spin-on filters, good access under the tilting cab and rear door, and a conventional mechanical fuel system on earlier Tier 2 variants. Owners often appreciate this simplicity because it keeps repair costs reasonable and makes field service easier.
The drivetrain uses a two-speed hydrostatic system:

• Low range for pushing, grading, and precision work, around 9–10 km/h
  
• High range for travel, often listed near 12 km/h
  

Hydrostatic drive in a compact track loader gives infinite speed control, but it also means that contaminated hydraulic oil or neglected filters can quickly become an expensive problem. Regular maintenance of oil, filters, and case drains is critical.
Hydraulics And Attachment Capability
The C175 runs a gear-type hydraulic pump with typical specs in this class:

• Standard hydraulic flow about 17 gpm (≈ 65 L/min)
  
• System relief pressure around 2,600 psi (≈ 180 bar)
  

With this setup, the machine handles:

• General buckets (dirt, snow, multipurpose)
  
• Pallet forks
  
• Augers
  
• Light hydraulic breakers
  
• Brush grapples
  
• Power rakes and brooms
  

It’s not meant for high-flow forestry mulchers or very large cold planers, but it is more than capable for typical construction, landscaping, and farm work.
Many machines in this size range use an electric-over-hydraulic quick-coupler on the front plate, allowing the operator to swap attachments from inside the cab. When the coupler is maintained properly—clean pins, good grease, checked hydraulics—it greatly speeds up jobsite workflow.
Dimensions, Capacity And Stability
Typical physical and performance figures for the New Holland C175 include:

• Operating weight around 7,500 lb (≈ 3,400 kg)
  
• Rated operating capacity about 2,200 lb (≈ 998 kg)
  
• Bucket capacity roughly 0.5 m³
  
• Overall width over tracks about 1.8 m
  
• Transport length with bucket around 3.3 m
  
• Height to cab top roughly 1.9–2.0 m
  

These numbers place the C175 in a sweet spot:

• It can load small and medium dump trucks from one side.
  
• It remains compact enough to work in tight residential yards.
  
• It spreads its weight well, keeping ground pressure low enough for turf protection, especially with wider tracks.
  

Ground pressure in the 5.3 psi range means it exerts about the same pressure as a standing person wearing work boots, which explains why compact track loaders like the C175 became popular in landscaping and site finishing.
Undercarriage And Tracks
The undercarriage is one of the most important and most expensive parts of any compact track loader. On the C175, typical features include:

• Three bottom rollers per side
  
• Rubber tracks with around 13–16 inch widths depending on configuration
  
• Track length on ground about 1.5 m
  
• Track gauge around 1.5 m
  

Rubber tracks of the correct size are commonly listed as:

• 320 × 86 × 50 (about 12.6" wide)
  
• 400 × 86 × 50 (about 15.7" wide)
  

Operators quickly discover that undercarriage care is not optional. Key habits include:

• Maintaining proper track tension
  • Too tight: accelerates wear on rollers and idlers, increases power consumption.
    
  • Too loose: increases risk of de-tracking, particularly when turning on slopes or in mud.
    
• Cleaning the undercarriage daily in muddy or freezing conditions.
  
• Inspecting rollers and idlers for leaking seals or seized bearings.
  
• Checking sprocket teeth for hooking or sharp points.
  

Real-world experience shows that a well-maintained set of tracks can last a few years on moderate duty, while poor maintenance can destroy a set in a single harsh season.
Cab, Controls And Ergonomics
New Holland track loaders in this generation are known for decent visibility and upright seating posture. Although detailed options vary by year and region, typical comfort and control features include:

• ROPS/FOPS cab, with optional fully enclosed cab and heat/AC
  
• Mechanical or air-suspension seat
  
• Pilot or mechanical hand controls, sometimes with foot pedals for auxiliary functions
  
• Large front door and side windows for visibility around the bucket and tracks
  

Comfort might sound secondary, but data from construction safety studies show that operator fatigue is a factor in a significant portion of jobsite incidents. A loader with better ergonomics tends to reduce mistakes, especially later in long shifts, and increases productivity because the operator can work more hours with less strain.
Typical Applications
The New Holland C175 fits well in several work niches:

• Residential and commercial landscaping
  • Grading yards, spreading topsoil or gravel
    
  • Building retaining walls and moving block pallets
    
  • Installing sod with low turf damage due to low ground pressure
    
• Construction and utilities
  • Backfilling trenches
    
  • Carrying pipe, pallets of block, and trench boxes
    
  • Working in wet or recently disturbed subgrades where wheeled machines sink
    
• Agriculture and farm maintenance
  • Cleaning livestock areas
    
  • Handling feed and bedding
    
  • Maintaining driveways and farm lanes
    

Its size allows it to move smoothly in confined spaces like small building sites or around barns, while still handling pallets of bricks or bundles of material within its rated capacity.
Maintenance Practices And Common Concerns
Owners of compact track loaders, including the C175, usually pay close attention to a few recurring issues:

• Cooling system
  • Radiators and coolers can pack with dust, chaff, or fine material.
    
  • Regular cleaning with low-pressure air or water is crucial to avoid overheating.
    
• Hydraulics
  • Contamination from dirty quick couplers or torn hoses can damage valves and pumps.
    
  • Following fluid and filter change intervals is a relatively cheap insurance policy.
    
• Electrical system
  • Corroded connectors around the footwell or under the cab can cause intermittent control issues.
    
  • Keeping connectors dry and protected reduces downtime.
    
• Undercarriage
  • Track tension checked weekly, or daily in severe conditions.
    
  • Prompt replacement of worn rollers prevents more expensive component damage.
    

Owners who follow manufacturer maintenance schedules and keep records often see fewer failures and higher resale values when it’s time to move the machine on.
New Holland As A Company And The C-Series Line
New Holland traces its roots back to a small agricultural equipment shop founded in New Holland, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. Over time, the brand passed through several ownerships and mergers, eventually becoming part of CNH Industrial, one of the world’s largest agricultural and construction equipment groups.
In compact equipment, New Holland has long competed with brands like Caterpillar, Bobcat, and John Deere. The C-series compact track loaders, including the C175, were designed to:

• Extend the proven skid steer platform onto tracks.
  
• Offer improved flotation and traction.
  
• Maintain compatibility with a large range of skid steer attachments.
  

While exact global sales figures for the C175 alone are not publicly broken out, compact track loaders as a category have grown rapidly over the past two decades. Industry data shows that tracked loaders captured a growing share of the skid-steer-type market as contractors realized the value of working in wet seasons and soft ground without destroying the site.
Buying And Operating Tips For A Used C175
Anyone considering a used New Holland C175 can use a simple checklist:

• Engine
  • Cold start: does it fire quickly without excessive white or blue smoke?
    
  • Listen for knocks or abnormal turbo sounds.
    
• Hydraulics
  • Operate boom and bucket to full travel repeatedly.
    
  • Check for chatter, slow response, or obvious leaks.
    
• Drive system
  • Drive forward, reverse, and make full turns both directions.
    
  • Listen for grinding or whining; note any loss of power on one side.
    
• Undercarriage
  • Inspect track lugs, edges, and inner guide area for tears or severe wear.
    
  • Check rollers and idlers for oil leaks or rough movement.
    
• Frame and structure
  • Look for weld repairs on the boom, loader arms, or main frame.
    
  • Check the coupler for excessive play.
    

From an economic perspective, undercarriage and track replacement can cost a significant fraction of the machine’s value, so any discount should reflect remaining life on those components. Some buyers prefer to purchase a machine with obviously worn tracks at a low price and budget for a full new undercarriage, rather than paying more for a unit with “unknown” remaining life on older components.
Conclusion
The New Holland C175 compact track loader sits in a very useful middle ground: powerful enough to handle serious construction and landscaping tasks, yet compact and light enough for easy transport and tight sites. With a 60 hp turbo diesel, rated operating capacity around one metric ton, and low ground pressure rubber tracks, it earns its place in fleets that work on soft or sensitive ground.
Its long-term value depends heavily on undercarriage care and hydraulic maintenance, but when those are handled properly, the C175 provides many years of productive service. For contractors, farmers, and property owners who need a versatile tracked loader without moving into the largest, most expensive equipment classes, the C175 remains a practical and capable choice.