Anyone have a Case 580ck Backhoe?

[grammyrobinfarm]

I have a HUGE amount of earth moving projects on my homestead and am considering purchasing an older backhoe that I have found for sale. It is a 1969 Case 580 Construction King. it looks like it has been taken care of well, it has the four cylinder diesel engine.
Here is what I know about it. Runs well, a few of the hydraulic cylinders are leaking so it would need a rebuild on up to three of them maybe more
Tires seem to be okay some weather cracking and worn tread.


How useful is an older backhoe like this compared to a mini excavator. I rented a Kubota mini excavator last year for some stump removal and it worked very well - I was going to rent the same one this year for a weekend but then realized there is absolutely no way I could accomplish all I need to get done in one weekend.

the projects I hope to accomplish with a backhoe are as follows
- trench in 250 feet of outdoor boiler insulated line and water supply
- change the water flow behind my house as every time it rains I have a river flowing down my driveway.
- remove approximately 50 stumps - most are small to medium sized.
- attempt to dig my pond deeper as it is wide and shallow right now.
- do some work around the two natural springs I have on the hillside
- haul wood for the outdoor boiler in preparation for next winter
- raise the grade on the access trail to my back "20" acres - as it turns into a mud pit every spring.
- grade and clear 5 acres in preparation for next year planting. currently these five acres have a few large rocks, lots of weeds, shrubs and small trees and some big gopher mounds.


I need some advice from someone who has a backhoe or alot of experience with them. Any suggestions or thoughts is greatly appreciated

[Bubbas Boys]

We have one. My Grandfather gave it to me when we started our journey on the homestead. It looks a little older than yours. It had been in his shed for years and needed little TLC. I have replaced several leaking seals, and steering shaft. Still have some leaking but haven't had time to fix em all yet. I can not even put in words how much I love this machine and how wonderful it has been to have out here. So many things we have done and are doing would not even be possible without it. We started by putting the 400' driveway in with it, just had the rock delivered and I did it all( I didn't have a lot of experience with machinery either).We then stated smoothing the house site, dug footings, dug out the crawlspace, hauled blocks around with it, dug our own septic tank and fields with it, trenched 500' of waterline, the list can go on and on. Plus we hang our hogs from it when butchering, clean out hen house and goat pens, move trees that I have unloaded here, as well as haul split wood from here to there. Again, I can not even say how much I love this tractor. haha!!

[Bubbas Boys]

A few picks of the old girl in action!

[michiganfarmer]

I also have one. I bouhgt it used 2 years ago. I grew up on a dairy farm, and always used front end loaders. I always just took it for granted. My farm tractor with the loader is getting very tired, and no parts are available so I was on the look out for another font end loader for a few years. I stumbled accross this case 580, and asked the owner if it was for sale. he said "yup. 2 grand". I said "ill take it".


4 cylinder diesel, and hydraulic fwd/reverser. I had never operated an undustrial loader. THis thing is a rolling hydraulic pump. It has more hydraulic power than I could have ever imagined, and I LOVE the hydraulic reverser. I has a few issues. Leaking cylinders, leaking injectioin pump, leaking pwr steering pump, and it doesnt like to move unless it has ran a few minutes. BUT... this thiing is the fastest, most powerful front end loader Ive ever used.

I love it. I wouldnt sell it for any less than 10 grand, and I know it isnt worth that much on the market, but its worth that much to me.

[fordy]

Originally Posted by grammyrobinfarm

I have a HUGE amount of earth moving projects on my homestead and am considering purchasing an older backhoe that I have found for sale. It is a 1969 Case 580 Construction King. it looks like it has been taken care of well, it has the four cylinder diesel engine.
Here is what I know about it. Runs well, a few of the hydraulic cylinders are leaking so it would need a rebuild on up to three of them maybe more
Tires seem to be okay some weather cracking and worn tread.


How useful is an older backhoe like this compared to a mini excavator. I rented a Kubota mini excavator last year for some stump removal and it worked very well - I was going to rent the same one this year for a weekend but then realized there is absolutely no way I could accomplish all I need to get done in one weekend.

the projects I hope to accomplish with a backhoe are as follows
- trench in 250 feet of outdoor boiler insulated line and water supply
- change the water flow behind my house as every time it rains I have a river flowing down my driveway.
- remove approximately 50 stumps - most are small to medium sized.
- attempt to dig my pond deeper as it is wide and shallow right now.
- do some work around the two natural springs I have on the hillside
- haul wood for the outdoor boiler in preparation for next winter
- raise the grade on the access trail to my back "20" acres - as it turns into a mud pit every spring.
- grade and clear 5 acres in preparation for next year planting. currently these five acres have a few large rocks, lots of weeds, shrubs and small trees and some big gopher mounds.


I need some advice from someone who has a backhoe or alot of experience with them. Any suggestions or thoughts is greatly appreciated

...............I would caution you about one thing , an old backhoe , with many operating hours on the clock can have major cracks in the steel frame that won't , necessarily be Visible to an UNtrained eye . They can be hidden such that you would need to lay on the ground with a very strong flashlight to see them ! They , may , have also , been welded ! Which means that the repair is only as good as the welder who did the work .
..............Just , don't take anything for granted ! I would pay someone to inspect the machine who knows what they are looking for . , fordy

[Ross]

Had an old 580 ck upgraded to a 555A Ford back hoe. It was a bit awkward to operate but got the job done. It was slow but not ad on fuel. Seems to me the engines were prone to cracking.

[Bubbas Boys]

MichFarmer. Almost all your issues I have had or am having. Haha. Must be the machines.

[wkndwrnch]

I have a Davis back hoe/loader on my old Ferguson. I was hesitant to buy the tractor at first,but have found many uses for the machine now that I own it. Yes they do have hidden stress cracks that will show up,like front axle,and arm on back hoe.They are slow compared to a skid steer.

[TnAndy]

Get to know who is the cheapest on making new hydraulic hoses. You're going to be visiting him often enough

[Wild_Bill]

Can't beat those old machines! If not that one find something similar. Stick with something old. Anything newer, and by newer I mean even into the early 90s is trouble. If it has any electronics on it stay away! Had a Deere loader...92 or so. Dash went out $1500. My old stuff works fine. I wouldn't try to use them for an excavating business, but for the farm they are great. I have equipment from the 50s-80s and yea you have to work on them, but most times it's cheap.

[AmericanStand]

Every farm needs one of these or a tractor and trackhoe !