Case has enhanced its line of M Series dozers to improve comfort, precision and operability, as well as strengthen the machines’ electrical and hydraulic systems.
The dozer upgrades apply to the 68-hp, 7,441-kg 650M; the 92-hp, 9,380-kg 750M; and the 112-hp, 10,547-kg 850M.
“It’s a move forward in technology for sure, but really the focus was kind of that operator-first mindset,” said Jeremy Dulak, Product Manager, North America, Case Construction Equipment.
On the 750M and 850M, new electro-hydraulic controls improve operability of the dozer.
“When you go EH, there’s less effort in that joystick. So, overall fatigue on your arm over a day is a lot less,” Dulak said.
As well, EH controls allow the operator to set steering and shuttle settings to smooth, moderate or aggressive to better dial-in that machine to their preference, which simultaneously reduce operator fatigue and increase productivity.
“If the operator wants slow response to the blade, if he’s fine grading, he can make that adjustment. If he wants to be really aggressive, he can make those adjustments too,” Dulak said.
Case Universal Machine Control is also available for the machines, which allows the dozers to be outfitted with machine control solutions from any of the three major suppliers of precision construction technology. Each dozer is also available with factory-fit solutions from Leica Geosystems that simplify the ordering and setup process.
“Machine control is not new for Case dozers, but if you (previously) wanted machine control on the 750 and 850, you had to add EH valves. Now that it’s EH, you don’t have to add the valve, it’s part of the base machine,” Dulak said.
“It also reduces the price point to get into machine control, because you don’t have to spend the money to add a valve in addition to your mechanical valve to enable machine control.”
Component upgrades to M Series dozers
To improve uptime and reduce maintenance, Case has also redesigned the dozers’ electrical and hydraulic systems.
“We gave the design engineers the flexibility to give us the best electrical system you can give us based off the latest of we’ve learned and then give us the best hydraulic system,” Dulak said. “So, it is kind of resetting that foundation of what was a strong dozer and making it even stronger for the future.”
The main chassis harness is now protected by a braided plastic. As well, wiring is routed throughout the machine to ensure it is positioned away from other components to avoid contact. Instead of one large harness, Case engineers also included strategically built-in jump harnesses to improve maintenance.
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“Some of your things like the brake valve, or pumps or the engine harness are kind of now broken up. If you have to troubleshoot later, or you have to do a repair, it’s easier,” Dulak said.
On the hydraulic side, the system was remapped to create access and minimize hose length. Rather than a main hydraulic manifold in the centre of the chassis, Case opted to use several smaller chassis reducing hose length. As well, zip ties were eliminated in favour of P clamps.
“They drastically reduced the leak points in the system,” Dulak said.
Improved view
Case M Series dozers are designed with visibility in mind, providing sightlines down to the blade and the tracks, thanks to ample glass and a low sloping front hood. The undercarriage is also designed with low-profile front idlers to further improve visibility down to the ground.
To improve upon operator visibility, LED lights are now standard on the M Series dozers. Case opted to make its six-light premium package standard across the dozer line.
“We wanted to give the operator that best visibility for early mornings or night. So, we just made that standard,” Dulak said.
For the optional rearview camera, Case positioned the lens to provide a view of what’s behind the dozer as well as ground engagement tools at the rear. Dulak explained the camera placement isn’t just about safety.
“In any dozer it’s hard to see the engagement of that ripper when you’re operating, but now you can actually still look forward and still see it on the monitor,” he said.
Smaller improvements to Case M Series dozers
The dozers also include several small enhancements, like a Bluetooth radio and a spade shovel that attaches to the rear of the machine. With the undercarriage accounting for 50 per cent of a dozers total cost of ownership, Dulak explained including the shovel encourages operators to regularly clear the machine’s tracks.
“It is always a challenge to promote to the operators to clean out your tracks, and do it regularly,” he said. “One of the excuses is that they don’t have a shovel around. Now we’ve taken away the excuse. The shovel is always there.”
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