In general, it seems that the "S" or Super series of all Case TLBs came out a few years after the original series of the same machines. Personally, I think either is fine. I had a 1990 K non-turbo, and at 65 rated HP I never had a need for more power, even when using a 30" bucket on the extenda hoe. And the more power you have, the more likely you are to develope stress cracks in the FEL or backhoe frames.
Depending on what you are looking for, if you are thinking of something in the "K" series, I personally would go for the earlier models which would then be non-turbocharged. The earlier K's, i.e. Series I used the same transaxle and separate shuttle shift transmission used in all Case TLBs starting with the "C" models. This is a very reliable and durable transmission, and since the shuttle shift transmission is completely separate from the main transmission/transaxle assembly it can be removed and rebuilt/replaced without touching the main transaxle.
The later Series III's (also sometimes called Phase III, and there were no Series II machines) use a completely different tranaxle with the shuttle shift built into it. This transaxle is built in Europe, I believe in Italy, and I believe is similar to the ones still used today. The older machines have external brakes (dry I believe) while the later ones have internal wet brakes, so the two tranaxles use completely different tranaxle fluids. This also sometimes causes confusion, and leads to the incorrect transaxle fluid being put in, which is especially bad for the later machines. The changeover was in 1989, so that year machine could be either style, with all 88's being the older style and all 90s being the newer style.
The newer style works just fine, but if you call a Case parts dealer and ask about repairs on both styles, you will find that the old style can be replaced or repaired for anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand, while the newer style costs at least $8,000 for internal repairs. And replacing just the brakes costs several thousand, because the entire transaxle must be loosened from the frame, the rear frame raised up, and the entire axle stub shaft removed. So whatever you do, don't abuse the brakes!
There are two ways to tell them apart. The first is by the serial number, which requires a database to decipher, and the much quicker and easier way is by the location of the main 4 speed transaxle gear shift lever. The Series I has a floor mounted shift lever, while the Series III has a console mounted shift lever. I never had any problems, and most people don't, but the potential costs of repairs is something to keep in mind when buying any used machine.
And don't forget, it seems that all commercial heavy duty equipment parts are BIG BUCKS either way. Like $35 for a water temperature sensor and $120 just for the seal on the front wheel of a 4x4 TLB. I had the opportunity to sell mine for a little more than I paid for it, so I sold it. About 6 months after I sold it, the buyer had to put several thousand into repairs because the planetary gears in the 4x4 on the one front wheel gave out. I was glad I didn't have it anymore!
One advantage of buying a later machine is that with each newer model Case beefed up the weak points on the FEL and Backhoe more. If you look at the each model from the "C"s through the "M"s you will note that each successive model has much heavier reinforcing in the high stress areas, especially on the FEL frame tube that ties the loader arms together in front of the tractor. The "C"s were relatively weak in this area, while the K is substantially more reinforced while the "M"s have massive reinforcing in this area.
This is all in regard to the 580 model with which I am most familiar. I assume that the 590s are similar, but don't know that by any means because they are so rare, at least in this area.
Depending on what you are looking for, if you are thinking of something in the "K" series, I personally would go for the earlier models which would then be non-turbocharged. The earlier K's, i.e. Series I used the same transaxle and separate shuttle shift transmission used in all Case TLBs starting with the "C" models. This is a very reliable and durable transmission, and since the shuttle shift transmission is completely separate from the main transmission/transaxle assembly it can be removed and rebuilt/replaced without touching the main transaxle.
The later Series III's (also sometimes called Phase III, and there were no Series II machines) use a completely different tranaxle with the shuttle shift built into it. This transaxle is built in Europe, I believe in Italy, and I believe is similar to the ones still used today. The older machines have external brakes (dry I believe) while the later ones have internal wet brakes, so the two tranaxles use completely different tranaxle fluids. This also sometimes causes confusion, and leads to the incorrect transaxle fluid being put in, which is especially bad for the later machines. The changeover was in 1989, so that year machine could be either style, with all 88's being the older style and all 90s being the newer style.
The newer style works just fine, but if you call a Case parts dealer and ask about repairs on both styles, you will find that the old style can be replaced or repaired for anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand, while the newer style costs at least $8,000 for internal repairs. And replacing just the brakes costs several thousand, because the entire transaxle must be loosened from the frame, the rear frame raised up, and the entire axle stub shaft removed. So whatever you do, don't abuse the brakes!
There are two ways to tell them apart. The first is by the serial number, which requires a database to decipher, and the much quicker and easier way is by the location of the main 4 speed transaxle gear shift lever. The Series I has a floor mounted shift lever, while the Series III has a console mounted shift lever. I never had any problems, and most people don't, but the potential costs of repairs is something to keep in mind when buying any used machine.
And don't forget, it seems that all commercial heavy duty equipment parts are BIG BUCKS either way. Like $35 for a water temperature sensor and $120 just for the seal on the front wheel of a 4x4 TLB. I had the opportunity to sell mine for a little more than I paid for it, so I sold it. About 6 months after I sold it, the buyer had to put several thousand into repairs because the planetary gears in the 4x4 on the one front wheel gave out. I was glad I didn't have it anymore!
One advantage of buying a later machine is that with each newer model Case beefed up the weak points on the FEL and Backhoe more. If you look at the each model from the "C"s through the "M"s you will note that each successive model has much heavier reinforcing in the high stress areas, especially on the FEL frame tube that ties the loader arms together in front of the tractor. The "C"s were relatively weak in this area, while the K is substantially more reinforced while the "M"s have massive reinforcing in this area.
This is all in regard to the 580 model with which I am most familiar. I assume that the 590s are similar, but don't know that by any means because they are so rare, at least in this area.
