Yet another Case 580C Backhoe question.

[llewellynsd]

Well Guys I went and looked at the hoe Saturday. Had the time to climb all over it. But unfortunately it would not start. Either the batteries are dead or there is a problem with the wiring. The reason I say this, is the accessories would run (i.e windshield wiper and heater) but the starter would not turn over. Maybe the starter is bad? The hoe still has two 6 volt batteries hooked together.

Someone mentioned to get rid of this set up and go with two 12 volt batteries? I mentioned this to my father and he said it would burn up the ignition since it would be 24 volts? Can someone explain how to properly go with two 12 volt batteries.

The hoe is in nice shape and has been repainted. Probably end up getting it once we get rid of all this snow and I can get someone to haul it for me.

Shawn

 

[RobS]

Assuming it IS a 12 volt system, you can hook two 12 volt batteries up in parallel for more amperage. Hook positive to positive and negative to negative (kind of like jumping a car).

Hooking up in series would provide 24 volts which is probably how they are getting 12 volts out of two 6 volt batteries /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[art]

You have something other then the batteries and maybe not a starter problem It might just be a safety switch for a neutral.

 

[mikell]

My D is getting a wiring overhaul in the spring and I'm going to pull the starter if the thems get a little warmer and go thru it. I bought the owner and service manuals online. about 250$ but probably worth it in the long run.

mikell

 

[llewellynsd]

Art,
I was with the owner of the hoe who has owned it since he bought it new in 1978, so I think he made sure it was not any switches. He said they had problems with sparks jumping from a bolts on the battery case. The fellow that services the hoe for the owner said it was probably the ground wire and to clean the wire and the area where it is attached to the frame. The owner did that but now he gets no response when he turns the key. The volt meter on the dash drops when the key is turned and I noticed that after trying the ignition a couple of time it would not come up at all which lead me to the batteries being dead.

After the owner showed me the controls for the front bucket and moved the handle a little bit the accessories all came on. The control lever run near the wires coming off the batteries so he thought there was a short in the hot wire somewhere. But even after the accessories came on the starter would not turn over.

Thoughts?

Thanks Shawn

 

[jmc]

llellynsd,

This probably isn't fair to say based on what info you've given us but to put something up for sale that doesn't start probably means that the fix is more expensive than the extra money he'll get for it if it were fixed. Additionally, some of the worst machinery I have ever seen for sale had a fresh paint job. One hint may be if they did a careful job of degreasing, masking, etc or just did a quickie. Sorry to sound suspicious but parts and service for these machines is expensive and there is no end to the things that can go wrong.

John

 

[mikell]

One reason I bought mine was it hadn't been painted. All the wear and tear right out in the open just like it's new owner.

mikell

 

[art]

I'd be hot shotting the starter with out going thru the battery to see what you get. The starter could be bad, or it might just need a ground replaced. Doing it direct to the starter will let you know. One cable to a good ground and the other to the big lug on the starter.

 

[theonlybull]

we replaced the 2 6V batts in our 580, with a single 12v battery, works fine for us......

 

[llewellynsd]

John,
I'm suspicious by nature. The only reason I'm considering the hoe is that a close personal friend of mine who has a heavy equipment company turned me on to this hoe. His company has done pretty much all the servicing on the hoe since the owner bought it new in 1978.

He told me that for the price and the condition of the hoe his company would buy the hoe if I did not. My main use will be for work around my property. I'm not out to make a living off of it. If a neighbor needs something done then I'll do it if I have the time.

I'm confident that I could use this hoe for a year and turn around and get my money back out of it if need be.

The new paint is not recent but probably two years old.

Shawn

 

[dummy]

Had exactly the same conditions as you experienced. The ignition switch was faulty. I should have known better too, because it was noticeable when turned "off". Would still have instrument power. Wiggle the key a little and it would kill the power. The ignition circuit was actually allowing enough power to be drained off that the machine would not start. After replacing the switch, no problem. Running one 12 volt battery.

 

[coopers]

So, did you end up getting the backhoe?

Blake
WA

 

[coopers]

I posted a pic. of a very sharp looking and running 580C. There's a little history with this pic. This is an outlet that sold bulk materials like bark, topsoil etc. and also did excavation work. I'm actually on the backhoe with that guy, I was 6 yrs. old. I have video of me driving it, and I took a pic. of the T.V., so this is actually an image of the video. lol /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif If I saw this machine in 3-4 yrs. I'd buy it in a HEART BEAT! Of course, if it still runds good, it was kept up the whole time this company had it, hopefully it's still running good. It's hard to find machines older like the C's that still have their side pannels on the engine, and work lights still intact, that work too, and one with no leaks. Good machine this was.

Blake
WA