Innovative Iron Award: The Case 580EV Electric Backhoe Loader
The off-highway equipment industry has made significant strides in 2024, introducing machines that are smarter, greener and more efficient and powerful than ever before. Compact Equipment‘s 2024 Innovative Iron Awards celebrate these advancements, highlighting equipment that sets new standards in performance, sustainability and operator comfort. See all the winners here. Now, let’s celebrate…
Case’s 580EV Electric Backhoe Loader
It’s true that Case’s 580EV electric backhoe snagged an Innovative Iron Award way back in 2020 — under the name Project Zeus — as we do include concept vehicles in this showcase. But the 580EV has changed and improved so much since then, we had to celebrate it again upon release. The Case 580EV electric backhoe loader officially launched to the public in August 2024. It is the first commercially available electric backhoe in the industry.
“It’s how we’ve operated for more than 180 years and how we’re leading the industry into the future,” explained Terry Dolan, vice president of North America at Case Construction Equipment, during a web press conference a few months ago. “From introducing the very first integrated backhoe loader in 1957 to launching a whole new product category with our compact dozer loader in 2022, we are always innovating and we’re not slowing down. Last year we launched more products than any other point in our company’s history. With 32 new machines, including our first EV products, now we’re ramping up with the next generation of electric equipment, which includes bringing the industry’s first electric backhoe loader to commercial production.”
Case took its most popular diesel backhoe, the 580SN, and electrified it without compromising on power, performance or versatility. Customer feedback drove the evolution from Project Zeus in 2020 to today’s 580EV. Let’s take a look at what makes this model so cool and explore what’s changed on this unit in the last four years.
How Has the Case 580EV Electric Backhoe Been Improved?
The most significant change to this e-backhoe over the last few years was to upgrade the 580EV to more closely match the performance specs of the 97-hp 580 Super N. The 580EV delivers the same breakout forces (14,452 lbs on the backhoe bucket) and specs as its diesel counterpart, but with the added benefits of zero emissions, minimal noise and instantaneous torque response, making it ideal for urban, indoor or noise-sensitive projects.
“Electrification also comes with some performance opportunities that internal combustion engines simply cannot match, such as instantaneous torque response and peak torque,” said Brad Stemper, head of construction equipment product management North America at Case Construction Equipment. “At any rpm, that means no waiting for a diesel engine to ramp up to meet load demands and essentially no wasted energy when the machine is not at work. The 14-ft Case extended backhoe includes extra reach to minimize repositioning of the machine, and it powers all the same attachments as our diesel models. We also included features like our pro control swing dampening, Power Lift, Power Boost and electro hydraulic controls to increase control precision and make them easy to use.”
The four-wheel-drive 580EV production model also includes more features than the original Project Zeus concept machine. There’s an advanced, multi-circuit thermal management system to better regulate temperatures. There’s energy-efficient air conditioning and EH controls. The company added an 8-in. color display so operators can always see battery levels. Powered by a 400-volt lithium-ion battery, the 580EV offers four to eight hours of run time per charge. There are also innovative features like ProControl swing dampening and Power Lift/Power Boost modes. Basically, the Case 580EV redefines what’s possible in sustainable, high-powered construction equipment.
Cab Features and Telematics
Customers had a say too. With this new production unit, Case took customer feedback and optimized everything from thermal management to operator controls in order to electrify a machine with comparable specs to the widely used 580SN. Case also included new features, like an 8-in. color display, air conditioning, a front-dash display and adjustable four-corner, multicolored LED strobe lights.
“We didn’t compromise on operator experience either,” noted Stemper. “In the cab, we took an operator first approach with features like more efficient heating and air conditioning system, push button start and operator security codes. We also added leading-edge technology like an 8-in. full color touchscreen, customizable work modes and sensitivity settings, as well as industry exclusive standard multicolor four corner LED strobe lights. These lights can be individually adjusted for different colors or strobe patterns. Plus there’s an always-on feature which provides extra work lights for low light conditions.
“Advanced telematics on this machine also makes it easier to keep the 580EV running at peak performance with two-way communication, remote diagnostics and easy-to-understand data. The telematics system allows fleet managers to stay informed on how the machine is operating and to give customers further peace of mind. A built-in EV care maintenance program comes standard with a three-year, 3,000-hour preventative care package and a three-year, 3,000-hour warranty on the high voltage electrical system, which includes the batteries, motors and battery management system.”
The Battery Power Behind Case’s 580EV Electric Backhoe
Powered by a 400-volt, 71-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery platform that’s charged with the same type of Level 2 J1772 adapter found in automotive EVs, the new electric backhoe loader is designed to deliver up to eight hours of operational run time on a single charge, depending on the application. The battery platform also uses an advanced thermal management system with system-specific cooling circuits to better regulate temperatures and help maintain performance in hot or cold conditions.
“One of the first questions we often get is, what about the battery life?” said Stemper. “Understandably, everyone wants to know how much operational runtime they can get on a single charge. Today, a fully depleted battery can be charged to 100 percent overnight in about seven and a half hours. Charging from 20 to 80 percent will take around four and a half hours. When looking at runtime, we say four to eight hours of true operation depending on the application, and that’s a pretty big range because a useful machine like a backhoe loader can do a lot of different tasks with a lot of different energy demands.”
Case 580EV Electric Backhoe Features, Options and Attachments
Case’s 580EV electric backhoe is capable of all the same job-crushing capabilities as the diesel-powered 580 Super N — with the added benefit of zero emissions, low noise, less vibration and cooler tech. Here are some other overview specs and features I haven’t mentioned yet. Being tech heavy and safety conscious, there’s keyless start ignition, a premium air suspension heated seat and a 3-in. seatbelt. There are four front, four rear and two adjustable side LED lights, tinted glass, Bluetooth radio and front and rear wipers. Also worthy of mention, the 580EV comes with speed selectable auto ride control and comfort steering with a two-speed steering pump and third and fourth gear cutout.
Let’s talk attachments on the loader side. There are auxiliary hydraulics for loader-side attachments with thumb-operated proportional control. A hydraulic quick-coupler is an option, and there’s also a bucket position indicator to help realize perfect bucket placement. On the backhoe side, there are one-way/two-way auxiliary backhoe hydraulics for hammers, plate compactors or similar one-way flow attachments. Or, switch to two-way flow for thumbs, augers or similar two-way flow attachments. The backhoe portion is also an “Extendahoe” with a max dig depth of 17 ft, 11 in.
Energy-Saving Transmission
The 580EV also uses an interesting power shift transmission.
“We designed the 580EV with two independent electric motors to reduce energy consumption and improve performance,” explained Stemper. “These motors connected through the transmission to the drivetrain. An implement motor connects to the hydraulic pumps that feed the loader backhoe and steering systems. In loading applications, the loader hydraulics are controlled separately from the ground drive, maintaining the operator’s ability to load materials from a pile without declutching and maintaining fast cycle times for the transmission.
“We drew from the popular Case 580 Super N and used our energy efficient Case power drive, power shift transmission with hydraulic clutch and auto shift functionality. And, we incorporated electro hydraulic loader and backhoe controls to help enhance operator control and further increase the machine’s overall efficiency. The customer-first, purpose-driven approach to EV design has led to a slew of practical innovations that operators will see and feel when digging, loading or moving dirt with the 580EV.”
A Sustainable Future for Construction Equipment
The Case 580EV electric backhoe loader is a testament to the industry’s drive toward sustainability, efficiency and innovation. By delivering zero-emissions performance without sacrificing power or versatility, it sets a new standard for what’s possible in construction equipment. Whether it’s the advanced battery system, operator-focused cab or the seamless integration of electric motors, this machine proves that going green doesn’t mean compromising on capability. As the first commercially available electric backhoe, the 580EV marks a bold step into the future, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient industry.
Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.
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