Construction plant manufacturer and distributor Case Construction South Africa (SA) launched the brand’s newly redesigned V-series backhoe loader to the South African market on October 13.

Based off of Case’s T-series backhoe loaders, the new V-series features European fuel efficient tier-three engines, flat cabin glass to save on replacement costs and improved control ergonomics.

Case Construction SA will offer the 580V and the bigger 695SV backhoe loaders, both using 4  X 4 drivetrains. The 695SV offers all-wheel and crab-steering capabilities and features same-size front and rear wheels for better traction and manoeuvrability, as well as an extendable backhoe boom for increased reach and a curved front loader boom for easier loading of trucks.

Replacing the previously-used Iveco engines in T-series backhoe loaders, the new V-series backhoe loader uses FPT engines that offer fuel savings of about 14%, translating into fuel efficiency of about 2 ℓ/hour.

The V-series also features a forward, centre-mounted differential for even and improved torque distribution under heavy loads, with engine power ranging between 97 hp and 110 hp through the V-series range.

This, says Case Construction South Africa MD Graham Forte, means that operators can save between R7 000 and R10 000 a month on fuel alone.

Meanwhile, Case Construction SA still offers less sophisticated but more affordable T-series backhoe loaders on the local market, which feature tier-two engines and are more popular with plant hire companies. The T-series models are built in India, while the V-series models are built in Case’s Italy plant.

Although the backhoe loader industry is diverse in terms of the applications such machines are used for locally, Forte says the majority of Case backhoe loader clients in South Africa are in the agricultural industry.

“We piggyback quite a lot on the Case tractors - the agricultural side [of the business]. Our agricultural customers are very loyal to us, so if they buy a Case tractor, they like to stick to the Case brand [for their other machinery requirements too], so they will get a Case backhoe loader [as part of their machinery fleet].”

The construction industry is also a significant user of Case backhoe loaders.

Under the Case New Holland Industrial banner, Forte says the company is the number one seller of backhoe loaders in South Africa, with one in every three types of machinery sold bearing the Case or New Holland badge.

Over the past year, Case Construction SA has experienced up to a 30% increase in sales.