At this year’s World of Concrete show, Case Construction Equipment introduced the first models in its CX B Series line of full-sized excavators.
These new Case excavators feature measurable increases in fuel efficiency and productivity, noticeable improvements to operator comfort, easier maintenance, and enhancements to durability and reliability, according to the manufacturer.
The lineup includes the Case CX160B, CX210B, CX240B and CX290B, as well as long-reach configurations of the CX210B and CX240B and a narrow version of the CX210B.
Increased Fuel Efficiency
According to Dave Wolf, marketing manager, Case Construction Equipment, the new CX B Series excavators deliver significant increases in fuel efficiency over their predecessors.
“Think about what 20-percent better fuel efficiency means for the owner of a Case excavator,” he said. “That’s huge. During testing, we were seeing almost a gallon an hour difference in fuel use. If you multiply that times 2,000 hours of operation per year times $2.50 a gallon for diesel fuel, that’s a savings of $5,000 per year that goes straight to the bottom line.”
The new models also provide up to a 17-percent increase in horsepower, a difference achieved through the use of the new electronically controlled, common rail Tier III-certified engines, which burn cleaner and more efficiently. Wolf noted that the new engines are fully serviceable by Case dealers. The CX160B, CX210B, CX240B and CX290B deliver 120, 157, 177 and 207 net hp (89, 117, 132 and 154 kW), respectively.
“What’s really exciting is that, at the same time these new Case excavators are delivering increased fuel efficiency and horsepower, they are also providing a substantial increase in productivity,” Wolf said. “In our testing, they easily moved 25 percent more cubic yards of material per gallon of fuel.”
Increased Productivity, Faster Cycle Times
The difference in material moved is a result of faster cycle times, which are the result of increased hydraulic flow. Hydraulic horsepower has been increased 4 to 10 percent across the line.
“Our Case CX excavators have always used regenerative hydraulics on the boom and arm,” Wolf said. “Now we’ve added it to the bucket curl, which speeds the cycle time required to get a bucket of dirt.”
The B Series excavators also provide increased breakout forces, primarily due to larger diameter hydraulic cylinders.
“The remarkable thing, given the increased power and performance of these new Case excavators, is how quiet they are,” Wolf said. “One customer took a cell phone call while he was standing next to a 240B. When he got off the call, he was amazed to realize that the excavator had been running at full throttle.”
The noise levels inside the cab are 68.6 dBa.
“It feels as if you’re in a car,” said Wolf.
The engine runs quietly, and noise levels are further reduced by the fact that the cab is isolation mounted. The cab also features reinforced tubular structures, which are less subject to vibration or rattling.
Ultra-Quiet, Comfortable Cab
“A quiet cab means a more comfortable, less-stressed operator,” Wolf said. “And that means greater productivity.”
The cabs on the CX B Series excavators have been modified to further improve operator comfort and ergonomics. The seat adjusts independently of the joystick controls, and the new models feature a memorized operator adjustment, which automatically adjusts to the last settings selected by the operator. An optional air seat makes the operator even more comfortable.
Both left- and right-hand consoles have been changed to provide more convenient reach to key functions. The left-hand console features the memorized operator adjustment setting. For those times when the operator needs to silence the radio to take a phone call or instructions from outside the cab, there also is a mute button for the radio on the left-hand joystick.
Visibility also is improved on the new cab because the reinforced posts on the corners of the cab are narrower, providing more glass and a broader view to the job site. The right-hand window is now a single, uninterrupted piece for clear viewing to the trench. Further enhancing visibility is an optional see-through skylight.
Also new on the B Series is the ability to store up to 10 auxiliary hydraulic flow patterns to allow the operator to quickly adapt the machine to different attachments. This capability is important on job sites requiring multiple attachments and is especially useful for the rental market.
Maintainability
Maintainability and serviceability have been improved 39 percent on the Case B Series excavators, as measured by the SAE maintenance score, earning 14,917 points, well below the SAE target of 16,000.
“We consistently find that, the easier it is to perform maintenance, the more likely it will get done,” Wolf said. “More than that, the best-in-class maintainability of these machines results in significantly lower owning and operating costs.”
Serviceability is easier than ever with improvements like the green plug for an easier, cleaner and greener engine oil change. The hydraulic engine oil filter is located in the pump house so it’s easy to change without going underneath the machine. Likewise, the engine oil filter is positioned for easy access.
Grease zerks also are ganged together for faster, easier access. Flip-open service panels continue to provide easy access to virtually all key components.
Part of a Full Line
The Case lineup of full-sized excavators also includes the CX80, CX130, CX330, CX460, the recently introduced CX700, and the CX800. Case also manufactures the CX75, CX135 and CX225 minimum swing excavators and a full line of compact excavators.
For more information, visit www.casece.com.
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