Case 590 TLB- Any good around a ranch/farm?

[plowhog]

I have a chance to pick up a Case 590 for a pretty good deal. It has a 4-way bucket and backhoe.

Would one of these be good around a ranch/farm? The backhoe on it is bigger/stronger than anything I have. But the backhoe is dedicated-- no PTO or 3 point hitch on the back ....

How are these for strength and reliability?

 

[jeff9366]

Strength? Lordy, yes.

Some a 2-WD, some 4-WD.

How much digging / construction work do you foresee?

 

[Rebeldad1]

really depends what you do around the farm. Case makes a great backhoe. fairly bullet proof.

if the price is right bring it home and try it out for a year. bring the maintenance up to all current, fix the little things, maybe a little paint here and there. after a year if its not a good fit.... sell it for a profit.

 

[Jchonline]

Do you need a backhoe with 20+ ft reach? If not I would skip it unless you can use it for business ventures. You already have a dozer, tractors, and it sounds like a smaller backhoe.

Having close to a backhoe (M62) in the mountains and a 100 acre farm in TX I can't think of a ton of uses for it on the farm. Maybe others can.

Does the backhoe have a hydraulic thumb? That can be useful for picking things up, but not a necessity. Personally I find a mini-ex to be much better with a thumb for those types of tasks.

Is it a cab version with working heat/AC? If so is that useful to you?

 

[plowhog]

It's a 4WD model. I think Series 2. With cab and working A/C.

I need to dig about 1,000' of trench that I know of. I have a grapple for the Massey but a 4-1 bucket might offer some added utility. It has a manual thumb.

 

[Sportsman762]

It looks like OP has a fair bit of heavy equipment so he will most likely be able to handle a full sized hoe.

Full sized machines are great. They have fantastic lift capacity, the ability to reach out with the hoe is great and they are easy to run. I am guessing with a TD9 and an F800 you will be more then able to handle any maintenance. My friend has a farm, and the only loaders he has are two full sized backhoes, I have never found myself wanting a loader or backhoe on a tractor there. If you think you can use it, you will discover you will use it more than you think. I would say go for it as long as the machine looks to be in decent shape.

 

[fried1765]

It's a 4WD model. I think Series 2. With cab and working A/C.

I need to dig about 1,000' of trench that I know of. I have a grapple for the Massey but a 4-1 bucket might offer some added utility. It has a manual thumb.

Go for it!
If you decide you don't like it, or need it then you can sell it.
You will not loose any money on a solid, working, full size TLB!
You will live to regret it if you do not buy it!

I have a nice low hour Kubota L48 TLB that I very seldom use.
Would I want to be without it?
NEVER !!!!

 

[plowhog]

most likely be able to handle a full sized hoe

Ya but she's expensive ...

 

[Smokeydog]

Old construction equipment is pretty cheap. Bought an old backhoe and used it hard for 20 years on the farm. Ponds, roads, trees and stumps. Paid for itself many times and sold it for what I paid. Now my smaller tractor backhoes can help me maintain. Can’t imagine work on the farm without one now.

Noticed the value of my used equipment has increase ~20% this last year. Better than money in the bank.

 

[shooterdon]

This 1000' trench...how deep and wide is it?

If that is the only thing you need doing with the Case, it seems a poor fit. If something does need repair on it, I bet it will not be cheap either.

Good comments about buying it as an investment if the price is right.