A host of improvements marks the latest introductions.

By Daniel C. Brown

In February 1957, Case introduced its Model 320—the first factory-integrated tractor-loader-backhoe designed for construction use.

“When Case introduced the first loader-backhoe in 1957, it revolutionized the construction industry,” says Jim Hasler, vice president with Case Construction Equipment. “Before that, contractors had to make do using farm tractors with loader attachments and sometimes jury-rigged backhoe attachments. With the Case 320, they got one machine that could trench, crane, and fill.”

Since then, Case has introduced a number of innovations for loader-backhoes. Such features include return-to-dig and return-to-travel functions, an over-center backhoe design for improved balance, the Case Extendahoe extendible dipper stick, a power-loader linkage, and ride control for cushioning the loader bucket while traveling.

Pilot Controls
A recent improvement for most major manufacturers’ backhoes is the pilot-control system, by which joysticks control hydraulic oil flow that actuates the machine’s hydraulics. Caterpillar introduced pilot controls for backhoes, followed by John Deere and then Case in the M Series 2 models.

With their little joysticks, pilot controls greatly reduce operator effort and dispense with the old levers coming out of the cab floor.

Case notes that with its in-cab pattern-change switch, an operator can easily change control patterns between backhoe and excavator controls. An optional up-stabilizer control allows the operator to raise the stabilizers (outriggers) while swiveling the seat to the loader position for faster turnarounds and greater productivity.

Case’s entire M Series 2 line now features Case Family 3 engines. These engines are quieter than their predecessors, and they have larger displacement for greater lugging capacity and increased torque rise for faster cycle times. The 500-hour oil-change interval means less routine maintenance and more uptime. The transmission-mounted hydraulic pump makes it easy to service the belt on the engine with no spline maintenance. For quieter operation and protection of vital components, the oil pan is made of cast iron.

The M Series 2 backhoe function has also been improved. Case’s Pro Control System (PCS) provides easy multifunction control while maintaining the ability of the operator to feel buried objects.

With an anti-rebound feature that cushions quick stops of the backhoe boom, the PCS eliminates over-swing and under-swing for faster cycle times and accurate bucket or attachment placement.

On all Case models, swing torque has been increased for greater uphill swing power and faster backfilling with the bucket. And on the 580 Super M, a larger-diameter boom cylinder has been installed to create 10% greater craning power, making it easier to lift and place such heavy objects as manhole structures.

The newest wheel-loaders from New Holland have more power, improved functionality, and larger cabs than the previous models.

Deere’s J-Series
Just about a year ago, John Deere introduced its J-Series backhoe loaders—the 310J, the 310SJ, the 410J, and the 710J—with all-new power-train components and numerous structural and electrical enhancements. The 310SJ and the 410J also offer a Total Machine Control (TMC) option.

“Total Machine Control is John Deere’s way of leveraging technology to meet customer needs and improve productivity,” says Bob Tyler, product marketing manager, John Deere Construction and Forestry Division. “TMC provides the best features of an excavator and a four-wheel-drive loader built into one machine.”

With TMC, armrest-mounted joystick controls eliminate the pilot-control towers, providing improved comfort, more legroom, and reduced heat from pilot-operated hydraulic controls in the cab. Three speed modes for backhoe hydraulics—craning mode (slower), normal mode, and high-production mode—improve cycle times by up to 20% compared to previous machines.

In the high-production mode, the backhoe will dig and swing at about 120% of the normal speed mode. But, for example, if you want to lift and swing a large manhole structure into place, the craning mode slows boom swing and reduces the tendency of the manhole structure to swing back and forth.

TMC also makes it easy for an operator to manipulate the loader and backhoe controls at the same time. That allows the operator to simultaneously push the loader into the ground and pull with the backhoe to release the machine from being stuck in soft ground. The key to this feature is a small lever, about 1 inch high, located just forward of the right-hand joystick. The joystick operates the backhoe, and by reaching forward with one finger, the operator can push on the loader boom to help release the machine.

TMC also has a feature called Auto-Idle—the same type of idling feature found on excavators, Tyler says. If you push the Auto-Idle button and you’re digging at full engine speed, four seconds after you let go of the controls the machine will cut the engine back to idle speed.

Deere’s tool-carrier backhoes feature a loader-coupler for changing attachments from the cab, boom-height kick-out, a return-to-carry function, and parallel lift.

Boom-height kick-out will quickly return the loader boom to a preset height when the operator pushes the hydraulic control. Return-to-carry is similar; the loader boom returns to a carrying height.

Also on tool-carrier units, one button permits the operator to turn off the parallel-lift function. Parallel lift keeps the forks level when lifting a pallet, for example, but you don’t always want that function. If you’re lifting a bucket full of backfilling stone, you want the bucket to tip backward as you lift it, to keep it full. Voila! Turn off the parallel lift.

Cat’s AccuGrade System
In January 2007, Caterpillar announced it was the first and only manufacturer to provide a factory-installed machine control and guidance system for backhoe loaders. With that move, Cat expanded its AccuGrade product line from dozers and motor graders to backhoes.

Buyers of a Caterpillar backhoe can select one of two AccuGrade options: the site reference system or the laser reference system.

The AccuGrade site reference system is an entry-level grade and depth check system that allows the operator to excavate to predetermined coordinates. Once the points are determined, an in-cab screen displays: cut, slope, pitch, roll, distance to target grade, and bucket position relative to grade line.

The system uses an inclinometer to measure pitch and roll. Cylinder position sensors are located on the boom, bucket, and stick. The in-cab display features an easy-to-read grade indicator and elevation display to deliver all system information for easy viewing. The display also shows all diagnostic data for the machine.

The laser reference system is more advanced. It utilizes an off-board laser transmitter typically used to set a grade reference over an entire work area. The laser system provides all the functionality of the site reference system and allows quicker starts as the backhoe moves from one job to another on the work area. The laser system is available as a factory installation or as an easy upgrade from the site reference system.

Cat’s Largest Backhoe
Also in January 2007, Caterpillar introduced its 450E backhoe loader, which replaces the 446D. The 450E is the largest backhoe loader in the Caterpillar line. It has 124 net horsepower and a backhoe digging depth of 17 feet 3 inches with a standard stick. A new extendible stick pushes the dig depth to 21 feet 4 inches.

The 450E offers many standard features that increase productivity and expand versatility, Caterpillar says. The high-rotation backhoe linkage eliminates the need to change pin positions when moving from loading trucks to trenching vertical walls. Four-wheel drive improves traction and machine balance. Ride control improves operator comfort at all speeds and reduces spillage when the bucket is full.

There’s more. Thumb-ready dipper sticks allow easy thumb installation for handling irregularly shaped objects with the backhoe. New combined-function auxiliary hydraulic lines on the backhoe enable the 450E to support all one-way and two-way hydraulic work tools, such as hammers, compactors, thumbs, augers, and tilting couplers.

(Note from the Editor: Grading & Excavation Contractor chose certain manufacturers of backhoe-loaders to feature in this article. Other backhoes from Komatsu, New Holland, Volvo, JCB, and Terex, will be featured in a future issue.)

Loaders Go Over the Top
The world of wheel-loaders is abounding with news these days. Here are some of the recent highlights:

John Deere has updated several models within its J-Series wheel-loader line to feature new Tier 3–compliant engines, Deere’s exclusive Quad-Cool cooling system, and other enhancements.

Case Construction Equipment has announced the availability of onboard scale systems for Case wheel loaders.

In the 18-ton size of wheel loaders, Caterpillar introduced the 992K to the US in the fourth quarter of 2007.

The new Caterpillar 988H wheel-loader fuel management system delivers fuel savings of up to 15% in truck loading—and more in load-and-carry operations.

Komatsu America Corp. added the 231-horsepower WA430-6 model to its fleet of wheel-loaders.

Kawasaki introduced its 70TMV-2 loader, which joins the 65TMV as a parallel-lift machine.

On Case’s 580 Super M, a larger-diameter boom cylinder creates 10% greater craning power.

The News From Deere
The company has updated the 444J, the 544J, the 624J, and the 644J wheel loaders to include Tier 3 engines that have wet cylinders for long life and electronically controlled fuel systems for precise injections and excellent fuel economy.

The 644J now features John Deere’s exclusive Quad-Cool cooling system. Already a feature on smaller models, Quad-Cool mounts coolers on four sides to provide cleaning access to both sides of each cooler.  This is an improvement over past systems, which stacked the engine, transmission, and hydraulic coolers close to each other. With the bulkhead separating the engine from the Quad-Cool compartment, the cooling system delivers fresh air and isn’t affected by engine heat.

“Each feature on these machines was designed for maximum productivity—the J-Series loaders continue to provide performance, versatility, and comfort, thereby keeping operators productive,” says David O’Keeffe, product marketing manager, John Deere Construction and Forestry Division.

Case’s Scale Systems
Case says two onboard Loup scale systems are available for field installation on its wheel loader models 521, 621, 721, 821, and 921. Case says that weighing a bucket of material “on the lift” speeds operations, which enables operators to load more trucks per shift and ensures that trucks are loaded correctly the first time. Onboard scales help eliminate return trips for overloaded and underloaded trucks, and they reduce visits to the weigh scale. And the systems generate operational logs to ensure accurate recordkeeping.

“We’re confident that our wheel-loader customers will appreciate the value of Loup’s onboard scales,” says David Wolf, marketing manager for Case Construction Equipment. “Loup Electronics has a strong reputation in the industry for customer service, which was a key factor in selecting them to supply onboard scales for Case.”

New From Cat
Caterpillar’s new 992K loader replaces the 992G and incorporates several improvements. The fabricated boom with sleeve-bearing cartridge linkage pins, next-generation load-sensing system, strong power train, and comfortable cab have all been optimized to provide a wheel loader that “sets the standard,” says Cat, for fast, productive loading. The 992K has been designed to provide effective five-pass loading when matched with Caterpillar’s 777 off-highway trucks.

Meanwhile, Cat’s new 988H fuel management system offers three different operating modes: full power, balanced, and maximum fuel savings. The system allows the operator to quickly adjust to changing production demands by moving a single switch mounted in the cab.

The full-power mode maintains the 988H’s leading performance in its class size. The balanced mode offers fuel savings of 10% to 15% in truck-loading applications and keeps production within a few percent of maximum. And max fuel savings lowers engine speed even more during all segments of a cycle except digging. The result is greater fuel savings but at a cost in productivity.

The 988H features 475 net horsepower and carries an operating load of 25,000 pounds. Rock and dirt buckets for the 988H range in capacity from 8.2 to 9.2 cubic yards.

New From Komatsu
Komatsu’s new WA430-6 is equipped with the latest Komtrax technology, which sends the machine operating information to a secure Web site using wireless technology. Hour meter, location, cautions, and maintenance alerts—to name a few of its features—are relayed to the Web location for analysis.

The Komtrax fleet monitoring system increases machine availability, reduces the risk of machine theft, allows for remote diagnosis by the distributor, and provides other information to improve productivity.

The wheel loader gets its power from a Komatsu diesel engine with an electronic, heavy-duty, common-rail fuel-injection system that provides fast throttle response while optimizing fuel combustion. Fuel consumption is greatly reduced because of the high-torque engine and the large capacity torque converter with maximum efficiency in the low range combined with the closed-center load-sensing system.

Four Power Modes for New Holland
New Holland says its new W170B and W190B wheel loaders, introduced at the end of 2006, have more power, improved functionality, and larger cabs than previous models. Tier 3–compliant engines are rated at 195 gross horsepower for the W170B and 227 horsepower for the W190B. The smaller of the two is available in both standard and tool-carrier configurations.

“While these new units are more powerful than before, they also deliver better fuel economy,” says Eric Winkler, New Holland brand marketing manager. “Both machines come standard with four power modes.” The four modes are maximum, standard, economy, and auto power. The auto-power mode allows the machine to automatically match the power curve to the application for improved fuel economy, hydraulic power, flow, and productivity.

Volvo Adds Improvements
In Volvo’s larger loaders—those having 100 horsepower and up—the 6- and 7-liter engines use common-rail technology to meet exhaust emissions standards by injecting equalized high-pressure fuel into the cylinders for a more efficient burn. Volvo’s 9-, 12-, and 16-liter engines use a process called Volvo Advanced Combustion Technology. This patented solution exceeds current emissions regulations, and the technology is simple and reliable, says Volvo’s Nick Tullo.

The cooling systems on all of Volvo’s larger loaders use cool air from the rear of the machines and come standard with a reversible fan. This decreases cleaning time for coolers and allows for more uptime.

Tullo says Volvo’s loaders are equipped with three different electronic control units (ECUs), that communicate to ensure the loader is working properly. The instrument ECU allows the operator to see real-time information from temperatures to pressures to fluid levels. The engine ECU controls fuel injection for fuel efficiency. The vehicle ECU coordinates information and sends it to the Instrument ECU.

Volvo’s patented lifting linkage allows for high breakout torque and force while achieving parallel lift through the lifting range; it’s designed for maximized visibility and rigidity. The return-to-dig feature comes standard with electrohydraulic-control set-up, while Volvo’s boom suspension system is another option proven to increase productivity by up to 15%.

Volvo’s latest F-Series cab was improved due to European legislation on whole-body vibration, Tullo says. The cab is more spacious, features better visibility with usable floor-to-ceiling glass, and boasts relocated switches now found on the right A-pillar of the cab. The cab is mounted on viscous cab mounts and is insulated so as to drop interior sound levels by half on some models. The optional lever steering system, or Comfort Drive Control, is now speed-sensitive and features smooth stops at each frame stop.

As always, knowledge is power, and we at GXC magazine are offering you the knowledge. For more information, see your local distributor or visit the Web sites of these respective manufacturers.

Daniel C. Brown owns TechniComm, a communications business.

GEC - January 2008

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