Pictured here in a 1957 sales brochure is a Case Model 320 backhoe loader.
Although many manufacturers had offered backhoe attachments for farm tractors as early as 1948, this Case base unit was designed and built for loader backhoe use.
To augment the design and manufacture of an integral backhoe loader, Case had previously taken over American Tractor Corporation (ATC), who had already built a successful backhoe attachment for the ATC product line.
The Case 320 was powered by a four-cylinder gas engine rated at 31.3 kW and coupled to a four-speed transmission with shuttle for forward and reverse. The backhoe digging depth was generously listed as 3.81 metres. By 1959, the new Case Model 420 offered a diesel engine and by 1963 the popular Case Model 530 Construction King backhoe loader series was introduced and became common place on jobsites.
In the intervening six decades, Case has produced well over 500,000 backhoe loaders – a testament to the original design. Now, in 2024, Case brings out the electric backhoe loader, the 580EV.
The Historical Construction Equipment Association HCEA of Canada 2025 events include the ‘Wheels & Tracks’ event in June and the ‘Last Blast’ event in October. Both events are held at the Simcoe County Museum, near Barrie. To see more than 60 pieces of vintage construction equipment in action be sure to attend. HCEA Canada is a proud Heritage Partner of the Simcoe County Museum. Visit hceacanada.org for more information.
Read the full article here
