Innovative Iron Awards 2020: Case’s 580 EV Electric Backhoe Loader

We Honor the Top Equipment of 2020

Even when the world shut down this year, construction equipment continued to roll. Since the beginning of the pandemic, crews and projects have been considered essential. Key machinery markets like housing are actually bucking the trend and growing in our new Covid economy. Somehow, I was able to attend two important machine tradeshows in February and March (The Rental Show and CONEXPO-CON/AGG) before all the chaos, and equipment manufacturers continued to release awesome, industry-changing products throughout 2020 despite the incredible challenges. The persistence, dedication and innovation of both equipment makers and the equipment trades (construction, rental, ag, landscape and beyond) blew me away this year. They helped build a clearer path in our radically changed world, and I’d like to honor all of them by highlighting what I consider the best compact, off-highway machines, technologies and OEM systems released for sale or concept in 2020. Congrats to all the companies included, and thanks to all the men and women behind these brands. They are essential in today’s rapidly changing world.

Charge Up

Case Construction Equipment released so much great product in 2020. Six new excavators. The awesome DL450 compact dozer loader. Eight all-new B Series skid steers and track loaders — and what else? — oh, the construction industry’s first fully electric backhoe loader the 580 EV (electric vehicle). The 580 EV is powered by a 480-volt, 90-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged by any 220-volt/three-phase connection. While applications will vary, each charge will support most common eight-hour workdays. The battery separately powers the drivetrain and hydraulic motors, resulting in hydraulic breakout forces equal to diesel-powered machines and improved performance during simultaneous loader and drivetrain operation. Just like its 580N counterpart, the backhoe dig depth is over 14 ft with the loader side sporting a bucket breakout force of 9,506 lbs. Case even partnered with Michelin to use specialized CrossGrip tires for even greater efficiency and handling. For more info, visit casece.com and check out the video below.