Case Expands First Electric Backhoe Loader

The construction industry is achieving a new milestone in emissions-free productivity on the job site. Zero emission is the goal the construction industry has collectively defined, it is the need of time and critical to shift from traditional methods to new ones. The new methods of construction, the new method of equipment manufacturing, the new method of material production, and the whole new method of urban development. 

If the development is human-centric it will benefit society as a whole. It is important to create a better living environment for today and promote sustainable ideas for the future. Zero emission is the target the construction heavy equipment industry wants to achieve and for this purpose, the companies are transforming their fleets from diesel to electric-powered heavy equipment. Almost all equipment comes manufactured and equipped with an electric engine.

Recently, following the movement, Case Construction Equipment commercially publicized their first electric backhoe loader. It is the industry’s first-ever electric backhoe loader. The official electric backhoe loader for sale and both the 2.5 metric ton CX25EV mini excavator and 3.6 metric ton CL36EV compact wheel loader will be available in the market in the next few months. 

Project Zeus electric backhoe loader 

The addition of a new electric backhoe loader increases the CASE’s EV lineup to five models, including the formerly launched CX15EV electric mini excavator and the compact wheel loaders.

The new CASE 580EV electric backhoe loader offers the same dimensional loading and digging capability and provides the same breakout forces as the four-wheel drive. The 97 horsepower CASE 580SN diesel model is an improvement in the power since CASE presented the first electric backhoe prototype under the project Zeus at CONEXPO 2020. 

CASE CE took consumer feedback and reviews to optimize everything from thermal management to operator controls intending to electrify a machine with comparable specs to the widely used 580SN. New to CASE were also new features such as an eight-inch color touch screen, air conditioning, front dash display, and adjustable four-corner multicolor LED strobe light.

Case Construction Equipment’s new electric backhoe loader runs on a 400-volt lithium-ion battery, charged using an adaptor similar to those in automotive EVs.

The advanced lithium-ion battery offers a strong backup, providing up to eight hours of functional run time on a single charge.

For regulating and maintaining the temperature, there is an advanced thermal management system with particular cooling circuits that enables to keep maintain the performance. 

Design of electric backhoe loader

Building this machine from the ground up as a purpose-built EV rather than converting it has allowed a bunch of pragmatic advancements that will be beneficial to change the view for teams considering EV equipment,” remarked Brad Stemper, Product Management, Lead, North America, CASE. Each point on the machine was aggressively focused on reducing power consumption for increased EV performance that will be noticeable to operators when digging, loading, or moving dirt. 

The LW180K four-wheel-drive electric backhoe uses two electric motors to power the PowerDrive transmission and hydraulic pumps for the loader, backhoe, and steering mechanism, all designed to optimize low power usage and high performance during loading operations.Its 14-ft, points new to the backhoe, according to Case, are an Extendahoe, swing dampening through ProControl, and PowerLift/PowerBoost plus electrohydraulic controls for enhanced operability on the job site. 

Case EV Lineup setting new sustainability standard

There are options for adjusting the heating and cooling system in a cab, an 8-inch touchscreen display, and options for configuring work modes and sensitivity levels. Also in the case of the start, there are buttons for this purpose, and security codes for the operator. To have proper visibility at night, a few multicolor strobe lights are fitted on the four corners of the cab. These lights offer optional variable colors, strobe patterns, and an Always On mode when strobes aren’t needed. 

Following the 580EV Compact Track Loader, the CX25EV electric mini excavator, and the CL36EV electric compact wheel loader, Case will now offer five electric products. The new machines that we are developing are a new benchmark that will embrace electrification and sustainable construction. 

Terry Dolan, vice president of Case Construction Equipment for North America, described these as typical programs of practicality with clear customer-oriented solutions While operating in similarity with their diesel portfolio, the electric machines address specific issues on job sites and help urban construction contractors, utility teams, municipal crews, and other professionals enhance their performance and ROI.

Conclusion

Leading the way in sustainable construction, Case Construction Equipment has a new range of electric vehicles starting with the first-ever electric backhoe-loader. Developing a vision of zero emissions in combination with the input from customers has led to great, effective machines by Case that respond to emerging needs of the construction sector. 

It also marked new levels of performance and sustainability while also offering real, customer-centered solutions to the roles that reduce productivity and profitability across different job sites.