Comparison Case 4 Stick Backhoe Controls - How are they?

[Martian]

So I've been looking at a Ford 555C, sales person hasn't been the greatest though, so I've been looking on Craigslist. And along with what the people have been telling me here on TBN to look at a Case. So I've found some good looking tractors:

Backhoe 590 Turbo 4x4 Extendahoe

1996 Nice case 580 super K

The only problem is my brain is wired to the two stick controls. Tried the 4 stick once and it was like a 5 year old was running the hoe. I was just wondering how difficult it is to change and how difficult it is to switch. Once you get used to them anyone prefer one or the other.

Thanks for the help guys!

:tractor::tractor::tractor::tractor:

 

[Verticaltrx]

I've run both 2 stick and 4 stick units quite a bit and you can get used to running both. I'm just about as proficient with the old 4 stick as I am the 2 stick. What is a little tough is getting off one machine right onto another that have different controls. I've had times like that and even when you are experienced with both it takes a few minutes for your brain to reprogram to which machine you are on.

 

[Martian]

I've run both 2 stick and 4 stick units quite a bit and you can get used to running both. I'm just about as proficient with the old 4 stick as I am the 2 stick. What is a little tough is getting off one machine right onto another that have different controls. I've had times like that and even when you are experienced with both it takes a few minutes for your brain to reprogram to which machine you are on.

Do you see yourself as more productive in either or is it indifferent?

THANKS!

 

[jenkinsph]

When you think about all those used Case backhoes out there somebody had to be productive with them. Like I said last weekend get in the seat and run it, doesn't take long to learn. All the backhoes and excavators I have run up to a Cat 330 excavator are easy to learn. If you want a challenge learn to run a motor grader like an expert, you can spend most of your life doing that.

 

[Martian]

I see. Think I'll call the guy tomorrow and try to find out when I can set up a time to try it out.

 

[Don87]

Case is backwards from the others...............you will get used to it, just takes time.

Just make sure all functions work, that's the main concern.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Case is set up from left to right bucket, stick, boom and swing. Unless its and extenda hoe the swing wil lbe on the feet and the 4th lever will be extend and retract.
I hate the Ford/Sherman pattern with a passion. I grew up on 2 sticks on Cat and Deere and a few Case. When I was 16 dad bought an old 3550 Ford with a 4 tick but it was set up like a Case with a 4 stick. Took about a a day to get into it with the hand swing. A few years later I had a job and a man had an old 4500 tlb set up on the SHerman pattern. I bought the hoe from him and was gonna dig a footer and sewer line with it. I had to go home and get mine. I can usually go frome 2 or 3 cranes with different set ups no problem, but this gets me even go from excavator to tlb controls no problem but something about a sherman lol.

Case actually excelled in the multi stick control for many companies over their cae 2 stick controls.. I worked for a company that ran mostly new Case TLBs. Down here mostly folks down here run 2 stick tlbs. My I started as a laborer and saw an old boy that was good on a 2 stick about to beat his brains out. He called the office and stated he only could run Cat or Deere controlls. They sent us a 410 deere and to his suprise THe new Deere came 3 sticked. I Quickly became the backhoe man on the job plus I knew how to stow the boom.. I think youll like the Case they are simple and tough.

 

[VitaBene]

I am the opposite of most here. I learned on 4 stick Case with extendahoe and 2 stick machines make me look bad! It has been 15 years or so since I sold my 88 Case 580K but I know I could get on a Case 4 stick and dig a hole today.

I rented a Ford 655A while I owned the Case. IMO, the Case was a better built machine. They both did the job but stupid things broke on the Ford (door locks, handles).

The only thing I miss about my business, is my Mack, 12T tiltdeck trailer and 580K.

 

[Martian]

Case is backwards from the others...............you will get used to it, just takes time.

Just make sure all functions work, that's the main concern.

Yes, but I think the levers might fry my brain

Case is set up from left to right bucket, stick, boom and swing. Unless its and extenda hoe the swing wil lbe on the feet and the 4th lever will be extend and retract.
I hate the Ford/Sherman pattern with a passion. I grew up on 2 sticks on Cat and Deere and a few Case. When I was 16 dad bought an old 3550 Ford with a 4 tick but it was set up like a Case with a 4 stick. Took about a a day to get into it with the hand swing. A few years later I had a job and a man had an old 4500 tlb set up on the SHerman pattern. I bought the hoe from him and was gonna dig a footer and sewer line with it. I had to go home and get mine. I can usually go frome 2 or 3 cranes with different set ups no problem, but this gets me even go from excavator to tlb controls no problem but something about a sherman lol.

Case actually excelled in the multi stick control for many companies over their cae 2 stick controls.. I worked for a company that ran mostly new Case TLBs. Down here mostly folks down here run 2 stick tlbs. My I started as a laborer and saw an old boy that was good on a 2 stick about to beat his brains out. He called the office and stated he only could run Cat or Deere controlls. They sent us a 410 deere and to his suprise THe new Deere came 3 sticked. I Quickly became the backhoe man on the job plus I knew how to stow the boom.. I think youll like the Case they are simple and tough.

Does have the Extend a Hoe, It just seems like a really old style to work. They definitely did it right because even today they still order them with it, so they've definitely done something right, just more the time to learn it.

I am the opposite of most here. I learned on 4 stick Case with extendahoe and 2 stick machines make me look bad! It has been 15 years or so since I sold my 88 Case 580K but I know I could get on a Case 4 stick and dig a hole today.

I rented a Ford 655A while I owned the Case. IMO, the Case was a better built machine. They both did the job but stupid things broke on the Ford (door locks, handles).

The only thing I miss about my business, is my Mack, 12T tiltdeck trailer and 580K.

Do have to agree with that... there has to be some reason that so many more people bought Cases than Fords


Does anyone know how much time and money it would take if I decided I wanted to mess around and switch the controls to two stick. Not necessary but if I was looking for a project.

 

[Martian]

Anyone happen to know how many horsepower the 590 Turbo is, I've seen different ratings out there and wondering if any of you knew.

Thanks

 

[jenkinsph]

Yes, but I think the levers might fry my brain






Does anyone know how much time and money it would take if I decided I wanted to mess around and switch the controls to two stick. Not necessary but if I was looking for a project.

More than it is worth, why not rent a 4 stick Case for a weekend and give it a day or two to see if you can deal with it? That would be alot cheaper than buying something you are unhappy with.

It has been maybe five years since I ran a Case 4 stick but I wouldn't hesitate to jump on one if I needed to. As someone else mentioned might take a little time to make the brain adjustments.

 

[jenkinsph]

Anyone happen to know how many horsepower the 590 Turbo is, I've seen different ratings out there and wondering if any of you knew.

Thanks

Go to the Casece.com website and look around.

 

[Bigfoot62]

. . . to look at a Case. . .

The only problem is my brain is wired to the two stick controls. Tried the 4 stick once and it was like a 5 year old was running the hoe. . .

I'm a bit confused here, but I had a 1984 580 Super E, and it was a 3 stick with foot pedals for the swing. I've never seen a 4 stick Case. The old Fords were 4 stick, but I don't believe the Case was. (at least not a mid-'90's model)
I think that Taylortractornut is correct. The "fourth" stick is for the extendahoe, IIRC.

As far as the 3 stick w/foot swing Case set-up, I can operate one as well as the 2 stick controls. (if not a little better) But, then again, I have a lot of hours on them.

 

[Opti-Mist]

I'm in the same camp as Bigfoot. I've run most systems and once comfortable with the controls productivity is about the same.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Case can be ordered with 4 stick controls without a foot swing I have a friend thats grew up on the old Ford Sherman controls. He ordered his new with a 4 stick sherman I cant hit the ground with it well I can hit the ground thats about it.


The foot swing pretty nice. because the when you push one down the other rises a bit and it balances you and its less tiring on the hands. My old Ford has L shaped handles and Take alot of hand spans to work it. Case levers are closer and the foot swing eases a set of fingers lol. The older foot swings are more comfortable to run to me than the same age of 2 stick cases with the tapered levers.


If you get a Case theres a trick to locking the boom up in transport position. A few folks here run them and dont lock the hoe up. Just fold the stick and bucket up and center the boom on the swing pivots then raise the boom with the lever pulled straight back. When the boom tops out quickly push the boom lever to the down postion and the boom will go up into the lock position.

 

[bill50cal]

I have played on the 4 stick case and IMHO once you have the extendahoe you will find it is more productive than without as you move less often. the 4 stick 2 pedel case is not hard to learn. the hard part is to park the boom as you have to reverse the stick is it reaches the top. try going from a 2 stick backhoe to a 2 stick 4 pedel excavator than a 4 stick 2 pedel back hoe

 

[crazyal]

Is the 4th stick for the extend-a-hoe or is it for the swing? I have the 3 lever with the foot pedals for the swing but no extend-a-hoe. I like the 3 lever but I have learned how to use my wrist to push on one lever while pulling on the other two so I can uncurl the bucket to get a nice smooth trench. Until I got use to it I would be worthless on a 2 stick machine.

 

[bill50cal]

the ones I have seen the 4th stick is for the extend. I use small finger and palm , index finger and palm/thumb on the other.