Loader Backhoe Birthday

Break Out the Bubbly — Case Celebrates 50 Years of
Digging, Loading and Innovation in the Backhoe Market

February 2007 will mark the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the world’s first factory-integrated tractor loader backhoe from Case. One of many Case firsts, the Case 320 was the first loader backhoe purpose-built at the plant for construction applications.

“When Case introduced the first loader backhoe in 1957, it revolutionized the construction industry,” said Jim Hasler, vice president of Case Construction Equipment. “Before that, contractors had made due using farm tractors with loader attachments and sometimes jury-rigged backhoe attachments. With the Case 320, they received the unprecedented versatility of having one machine that could trench, crane and fill.”

Of course, Case did stop at trench and carry work for its burly backhoe. Jim Hughes, marketing manager at Case Construction Equipment, notes the brand’s numerous innovations — return-to-dig and return-to-travel functions, over-center backhoe for improved balance, the Case Extendahoe extendible dipperstick, power loader linkage, Ride Control and the patented Pro Control System for superior backhoe control and faster cycles.

Perhaps the most visible change between the Case 320 and today’s Case M Series 2 loader backhoes is in the cab and operator’s environment. From the earliest models, which featured a stark steel-framed chair with a back and padded seat — already an improvement over most of its agricultural cousins of the time — the Case loader backhoe evolved to feature a spacious and comfy cab.

“The optional deluxe cab package available on the Case M Series 2 machines provides the quietest cab in the industry,” claimed Hughes. And it still offers superior visibility.

More than two years ago, Case passed the half million mark in the production of loader backhoes. “No other manufacturer comes close,” Hughes said, “and we’re well on our way to three-quarters of a million.”

Models built in 2007 will feature a 50th anniversary decal on the loader arms and backhoe. Customers can also purchase a special 50th anniversary edition, which features bundled options and a special limited-edition decal that is different from the standard decal. In addition, Case will have on display at 2007 shows a custom black anniversary model that will feature a frosted-window treatment of the original Case 320 in one window and in the other a futuristic model.

A book describing the history of the loader backhoe will be available for purchase at shows, including World of Concrete, along with limited-edition prints featuring the past, present and future models.

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New Holland Equips James Bond in New “Casino Royale” Movie

New Holland made its silver screen debut with the Nov. 17 release of the latest James Bond film, “Casino Royale.” The Bond production company chose New Holland to supply a total of 11 machines, including two W190 wheel loaders, to support the making of this latest blockbuster. A New Holland W190 will have the starring role in the film’s opening sequence — a special Bond chase situation — that features the new James Bond, Daniel Craig (also making his debut appearance in the film), giving chase to the film’s villain,
Two Fingers.

The remaining New Holland machines, including crawler excavators, backhoe loaders and skid steer loaders, were used to create a realistic construction site, where the action sequence takes place. Filming for this sequence was completed in the Bahamas. The film will be based largely on the original Ian Fleming novel and will feature a mixture of the novel’s down-to-earth realism and, of course, the Bond film extravaganza cinema audiences have come to expect.

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Test Your Telehandler Skills at World of Concrete

JLG Industries Inc. will once again sponsor the Telehandler Skills Challenge during the 2007 World of Concrete Show in Las Vegas. Open to all licensed telehandler wranglers who are at least 18 years old, the competition is aimed at determining the preeminent operators in the country. Contestants will demonstrate their skills over a closed course site using their choice of one of JLG’s four brands of telehandlers — the mighty Gradall, the long-armed SkyTrak, the do-it-all JLG or the stratospheric Lull.

The challenge calls on operators to showcase their entire range of telehandler credentials. Handlers must survive a pre-operation safety check (not timed), complete a skills course and then return the telehandler to the stored position and secure it as if it were the end of the work day. Each contestant will have only one attempt. And did we mention the alligator pit?

Scoring will be based on proper safety procedures, driving accuracy, load placement and the overall time to complete the course. The first place winner of the Telehandler Skills Challenge will receive a 42-in. plasma television and new Honda 2500W generator; second place will win a Weber grill and Omaha steak package and third place will win a Miller welder. Fourth place gets a T-shirt. Actually all participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a scale model of one of JLG’s telehandler brands and the eight finalists will also receive a JLG work jacket.

Complete rules and entry forms to register are now available online at www.jlg.com/challenge9 or at an authorized SkyTrak, Lull, Gradall or JLG telehandler dealer. Twenty-five contestants will be chosen from the entries received to compete in a preliminary round on Jan. 23. Eight finalists from that round will compete in the finals on Thursday, Jan. 25 to determine the winner.

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B5 Biodiesel Fuels Approved for Kubota Diesel Products

Kubota Tractor Corp. (KTC) recently announced a global decision to approve the use of B5 biodiesel fuels in specified Kubota diesel-powered products. Biodiesel fuels, most often offered in a blended-petroleum format, are derived from vegetable oils such as soybean and are offered in the United States as an alternative source for energy. The approved blends of biodiesel fuel for use in Kubota diesel-powered products range up to a B5 blend that consists of 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel.

“Kubota is committed to environmentally sound practices and the support of renewable, agriculturally based products used in fuels — as we continually work at increasing energy efficiencies within our industry,” said Tetsuji “Mike” Tomita, president of Kubota Tractor Corp. “Kubota believes strongly in the efficiency and high performance of the diesel engine and approves the use of B5 biodiesel fuels.”

Kubota has tested and approved the use of American B5 biodiesel fuel as a blend component that meets the minimum requirements provided by the American Society of Testing and Materials, Standard ASTM D6751 specifications. The petroleum diesel fuel base must meet the ASTM D975 specifications. To ensure quality, biodiesel fuels or blended fuel should be purchased from a BQ-9000 accredited producer.

Kubota recommends compliance with appropriate handling, storage, operating and maintenance of diesel and biodiesel fuels to ensure quality and safe handling.

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Cummins Achieves Major Engine Milestone

Cummins Inc., the Columbus, Ind.-based engine manufacturer, celebrated a key milestone with the shipment of the 1.5 millionth Cummins Turbo Diesel at its MidRange Engine Plant, signifying both the growing popularity for diesels in the truck market and the Cummins Turbo Diesel.

“Producing 1.5 million Cummins Turbo Diesel engines over the past 18 years is an incredible milestone for Cummins. It demonstrates that the American truck buyer not only recognizes the benefits of diesel technology but also believes in the proven performance of the Cummins Turbo Diesel. As fuel prices increase, we expect demand to continue to grow. Cummins is poised to meet the growing demand,” said Dave Crompton, vice president for the MidRange Engine Business.

With an average fuel savings of up to 40 percent, diesel is the most efficient internal combustion engine in the world, delivering more miles per gallon than a comparable gasoline engine. According to a recent study by J.D. Power and Associates, diesel cars, trucks and SUVs are expected to grow from 3 percent market share in 2004 to 7.5 percent by 2012.

Technologies such as a high-pressure common rail fuel systems and Cummins full-authority electronic controls provide superior performance and sociability for operators while reducing emissions levels. With the implementation of low-sulfur diesel fuels in 2007, emissions will be reduced even further.

When launched in 1988 for the 1989 model year, Cummins expected to produce only 8,000 Cummins Turbo Diesels for Chrysler Group’s Dodge Brand annually. That number quickly escalated to well over 16,000 engines in the first year of production. This growth in popularity has carried on with current record levels of production expected to reach over 165,000 Cummins Turbo Diesel engines for 2006.

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KIOTI Tractor Celebrates 20 Years in the Business

KIOTI Tractor, a division of Daedong Industrial, commemorated its 20th year of business in North America. Since shipping its first tractor to the United States in 1986, the company has become a market leader in the manufacture and design of small- to mid-size tractors. The company has steadily increased its market share and product offerings.

In 1993, Daedong-USA Inc. was formed and the doors opened to KIOTI Tractor’s first North American facility in Wilson, N.C.

“Our tractors have been embraced by dealers and customers across the country and have become renowned for quality manufacturing since all major components of the tractor are made by our company,” said Ron Parish, market development manager for KIOTI. “This fact alone gives us the ability to control the quality of each and every tractor manufactured, which gives us the confidence needed to offer an industry best four-year warranty on every tractor we ship.”

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