rexcramer said:
Except the older, Phase I 580K is the same as the C with external dry brakes and much cheaper to fix. Don't know about the hydraulic pump though.
On a Case, I would very definitely get the older machine over a newer machine for the above reasons. The primary advantage in newer is that Case gradually reinforced the high stress points more and more over the years, but the C will work just fine if not overly abused. To see what I mean, check the steel gussets on the FEL for different models starting with the C up throught the M. The reinforcing gets larger and more massive with each newer model.
Also, the backhoe was weak point on the earlier hoes, but starting with the E (I think this is correct) Case switched from a welded steel boom (or whatever you call the 1st section) with two outside mounted hydraulic cylinders to a cast steel boom with a single center mounted cylinder. They also changed and reinforced the welded steel portion of the boom where the bucket attaches, as this is a frequent area needing repairs if the machine is used hard. Also, Case switched to Cummins engines starting with either the D or E models, though I haven't heard bad things about the Case engine. Not sure why they quit using their own engines.
But all you need to do when checking an older unit is to look for welds on the FEL frame, especially at the front crossover bracket, and on the backhoe at the stress points, and especially at the end of the boom where the bucket attaches. It is very common for most TLBs to have a few welds, but what you don't want is to see lots of welds upon welds with new cracks through the welds.
In your price range, and really in any price range, trust me, you will be miles and miles ahead buying an older well kept machine instead of a newer beatup machine.
