CASE 580CK Digging problems - me or the machine?

[dstankus]

I recently purchased a 1969 Case 580CK backhoe and am having trouble trying to dig with it. It very possible that its me not really knowing what I am doing. I decided to watch backhoe videos on line to get started. Every video that I watched showed the operator using the boom and the dipper together in order to dig. My problem is that if I use the dipper the boom stops moving and if I start to use the boom the dipper stops moving. Am I doing something wrong? The operators guide for the 580ck says that you shouldn't dig with the boom for some reason. How can you dig a nice level footing if you can only swing the dipper and the bucket? You will always get an arched hole. I checked all the fluids and the are at the correct level. Any advice? I have the controls on the machine that has an individual lever for each function one for boom, one for dipper, one fro bucket, and two for outriggers BTW.

 

[DJ54]

What RPM's are you operating at..?? You ought to be at a minimum of 1200. And, what is the angle of attack, so to speak. Point of the teeth should be going directly into the dirt, in the direction of travel pulling towards you. Basically shave several inches of dirt, in an upward arc, to fill the bucket. Not just hog a bucket full out in the length of the bucket. You should be able to crowd in, and boom up in a fluid motion.
Once up out of the trench, swing, crowd out, uncurl bucket, swing back to trench, and boom down. Set the bucket pretty well on the flat bottom, or heel of the bucket, maybe slightly pointed down, to get a bite, depending on material, starting once again at the bottom of the trench just before it starts arcing up to get a touch of adjustment. Setting on the flat heel of the bucket should keep you fairly well on grade.

Plus, shaving the dirt, and not cramming the bucket full will allow the dirt to fall out, while in that motion, and not have to stop, and hammer it out of the bucket.

A Case hoe, compared to a Ford or John Deere are a little weak in the poop as far as digging comparitively...

Seat time is the best teacher. 400-500 hrs+ in the seat, and you'll get the hang of it.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

those older 3 stick hoes are what I learned on. You really need to get a hydraulic pressure guage because it sounds like if you technique is correct your hydraulic pump is shot. The only way to check and know for sure is to check it. Good luck! You dont need to run those older hoes wide open either, it makes them very jerky if your not silky smooth with the operation.

 

[dstankus]

Yikes - I don't like the sound of having to get a new hydraulic pump. I will get a pressure gauge and run through the tests outlined in the service manual. So it sounds like the act of moving one of the cylinders consumes too much of the pressurized fluid to allow other cylinders to operate like they should.

 

[AGRIMAN]

I bought my first backhoe last year (580 E 4x4) for use around the farm. I knew a little about the mechanics and just enough about operating it to be dangerous. The first day that I ready tried to use it, I could hardly hit the ground with the bucket. I could have dug more with a shovel. I was sure that it was just me, but I had a friend who has been running Case 580’s for 30 years to come by and it didn’t take long for me to see the problem. He started playing around with it and it was as if he was digging with his hands. He could make it do anything he wanted and he was smooth… no jerking or banging around. He was getting full buckets of dirt with every pass. He did say it was a little weak but not bad.

I got back on it and toward the end of the day I finally started to get the hang of it. My biggest problem was bucket angle, once I got the hang of pulling the boom and curling the bucket at the same time…. I could do something. After several month and many hours in the seat, I can do pretty much what I want now.

It’s a good idea to check your hydraulic pressure to be sure it ok, but don’t overlook the fact that the operator has as much to do with it as anything.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

like agri-man said, it has ALOT to do with operator ability with those three stick hoes, they are their own special animal to be good at operating them. That being said, you should easily be able to dig full or nearly full buckets unless your in tough rocky conditions. Clay and topsoil shouldnt pose any problems. Now on that note, you should be able to boom up, crowd in and roll your bucket all at the same time.

 

[Dirthog]

Trouble is you need a flow meter also you can have enough pressure and still not have the flow required to move more than one function.

 

[Turbys_1700]

You think 3 stick is bad, try a 3141 International backhoe...
That is what I learned on...
Takes a 4 handed Orangutan to run it...

 

[dstankus]

I began looking at flow meters and see they cost just a little more than a new PumP. Is there a way to rent or have the measurement Performed that would not require acquiring a flow meter?

 

[dstankus]

Lol - I guess you have to take your shoes and socks off.