EXECUTIVE REPORT
The CX26C is one of the new Case minis now being made in Italy.
Back on the Case
Now offering a new range of compact excavators and with considerable production capacity in Italy, Case aims to become a bigger force in smaller equipment. Nick Johnson reports.
Having done well with its midi and standard sized excavators, Case Construction Equipment is now adding a new range of minis. The machines of over 6 tonnes result from a long-standing strategic alliance with Sumitomo. However, this Japanese company does not make minis, so Case has turned to HHI (Hyundai Heavy Industries) of South Korea for a new-generation range of more compact CX machines.
Case is part of the CNH Industrial Group which, in the recent past, also supplied machinery to the construction and hire markets under its New Holland brand. This ‘two routes to market’ strategy included mini excavators utilising Kobelco technology, sold in both Case and New Holland liveries through separate dealer networks. Now that CNH Industrial and Kobelco have parted company, Case has become the sole construction and hire brand. This means the New Holland name is now only used on machinery supplied to the agricultural market, which can include mini excavators, backhoe loaders and skid steer and compact tracked loaders.
Important volume market
Andy Blandford, Case’s Vice President EMEA Construction Equipment, says that the agreement with HHI allows both companies to leverage each other’s strengths, and to transfer technology to
create a range of minis weighing from 1 to 6 tonnes for this important volume market. The first ‘C’ series models resulting from the new joint venture have operating weights from 1,770kg to 5,980kg. With numbers to indicate their weight class in tonnes, these initial minis are designated the CX17C, CX18C, CX26C, CX37C, CX57C and CX60C. The first four models are now being made on a new production line in the Case Excavator Hub factory near Turin. Meanwhile, the bigger CX57C and CX60C are being supplied in Case colours from one of HHI’s facilities in South Korea.
The CX17C, CX26C, CX37C and CX60C are models with zero tail swing or a very short tail radius, whilst the conventional style CX18C and CX57C have side overhangs of 440mm and 690mm respectively. Variable width undercarriages are fitted on the CX17C and CX18C so that their travel width can be less than 1m. The CX17C is a canopy- only machine, whilst the CX18C to CX37C can be ordered with either cab or canopy, and the CX57C and CX60C are cab-only machines. The cabs and canopies are ROPS, FOPS and TOPS compliant.
All the C Series minis utilise power units and main hydraulic componentry sourced from Japanese suppliers. As a result, the CX17C and CX26C are Kubota-powered, the CX18C has a Mitsubishi engine and the CX37C, CX57C and CX60C all use Yanmar power units. To meet EU regulations, the two largest machines are Stage IIIB emissions-compliant.
The 5,580kg CX57C is sourced directly from Hyundai. 12
A check of the specifications reveals that the new minis have two-speed travel (with an auto shift-down system on all except the CX16C), an ESL (engine start limitation) anti-theft system, a folding boom swing pedal and a centralised greasing inlet. The top-end CX57C and CX60C both have a 5.7in multi-colour LCD touchscreen and, to facilitate use of modern mobile devices, the machines come with USB and AUX ports, an SD card reader and a 12V power outlet.
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