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New to me Case 580B

aross

Member
Joined
May 13, 2025
Messages
13
Location
MA
Hello folks, I have been lurking here for a bit while I have been hunting down a new machine. I pulled the trigger on a 1974 case 580B with the power shuttle. Very clean machine and at the right price. The machine came with a 12" trench bucket and pallet forks.

The downside of the machine is there is a fair amount of blow by. quite a bit of smoke out of the breather tube and you can feel the pressure if you put your hand up against it. I told myself I was going to buy a well running machine because I did not want a big project right away so when I saw the blow by I told myself not to buy it...

So anyways here I am staring at the 580 sitting in my yard.. lol. I changed the oil last night, extremely dirty oil and when I felt inside the oil pan with my finger there was a layer of sludge at the bottom. I let it drain all night. The machine fires up nicely and runs like a top, but obviously there is some wear in the motor. I was hoping to get the summer season out of the machine but I am concerned that putting more hours into the motor is just asking for more trouble.

Anyways, I just wanted to make my first post here, at some point I am going to tear down that motor, I would enjoy some opinions and input and help along the way.
 

skyking1

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
9,583
Location
washington
Welcome aboard but I got to laugh at your thread title man made me crack up.
It was as if somebody had stashed a 580b in the back of a warehouse like a '55 Chevy or something.
Or maybe case was building retro 580bs?
 

aross

Member
Joined
May 13, 2025
Messages
13
Location
MA
I wish man!
Trying to attach a photo here, hopefully it works well. Just a screen shot of the ad. Haven’t had a chance to take my own photos

IMG_6468.png
 

skyking1

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
9,583
Location
washington
Blowby-shmoeby!
Run it!
It is 50 years old. If it makes good power, keep fresh oil in it and use it.
My Ram truck was using a gallon every 1600 miles when I bought it. That went on for almost two years and it broke a few rings and really got to smoking.
When it looks like this, maybe think about doing something.
 

aross

Member
Joined
May 13, 2025
Messages
13
Location
MA
Thanks for the encouragement guys. I tend to over think things and assume the worse. She really does run well and starts up on a dime. Skyking, I’d say the blow by is comparable to your video. Regardless. I think I’ll just run her.

I am planning on buying the service manual off of eBay this weekend.
 

HarleyHappy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Messages
3,417
Location
So NH
Occupation
Welder/Mechanic
Believe it or not, it may get better by running it.
I have seen machines that have sat for a while that the rings have gotten so dry, they smoke pretty bad at first but tend to seat again and get back to sealing well.
 

aross

Member
Joined
May 13, 2025
Messages
13
Location
MA
HarleyHappy, I guess we’ll find out! Previous owner said he hasn’t been using it much lately he had bought a smaller machine.

Here is another picture of the 580:

IMG_6488.jpg


And here is the smaller trenching bucket and pallet forks that came with it:

IMG_6485.jpg
 

lobo

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
95
Location
Ohio Valley
Rebuilding the motor sounds like a really nice winter time project. keep the oil up maybe change it again this summer new filters make sure air filter is clean. I would add some Lucas oil stabilizer to the old girl. Welcome and wish you the best of luck.
 

HarleyHappy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2020
Messages
3,417
Location
So NH
Occupation
Welder/Mechanic
So, as much as I see those combinations, I think Case for a long time offered this combo through many models. A 18 to 24” hoe bucket, with a 12” trenching bucket and a set of bucket forks.
Kind of like a Big Mac combo from McDonald’s.
I thought you got a B not an Old as Dirt CK? lol
They all work and are always better than a shovel.
One of these days, I have to sell the 3pt hitch backhoe for my Kubota.
That, isn’t much better than a shovel.
One of these days most useless and expensive purchases, I have ever made.
 

aross

Member
Joined
May 13, 2025
Messages
13
Location
MA
The CK’s had a B model made in the 70’s. Not sure what you are considering old as dirt. It’s marked 580b on the hood of the backhoe which certainly doesn’t mean it’s original. Everything from the 580b operators manual appears to align with the machine. But I’m sure someone on here with more knowledge than me can help identify
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
18,018
Location
Canada
HarleyHappy, I guess we’ll find out! Previous owner said he hasn’t been using it much lately he had bought a smaller machine.

Here is another picture of the 580:

View attachment 340957


And here is the smaller trenching bucket and pallet forks that came with it:

View attachment 340958
Pretty clean looking older backhoe but needs a better seat.
 

dccdan

New Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2017
Messages
2
Location
paso robles, ca
Thanks for the encouragement guys. I tend to over think things and assume the worse. She really does run well and starts up on a dime. Skyking, I’d say the blow by is comparable to your video. Regardless. I think I’ll just run her.

I am planning on buying the service manual off of eBay this weekend.
Hi, I’m going to agree with running it, if it doesn’t knock it’s just worn, not likely to break, it’ll probably just gradually get worse like over another 20 years LOL
Lobo is right on, Lucas engine treatment/motor honey
helps with blowby, it makes a nice film of oil in all the bearings,
Best of luck with your backhoe!

Dan
 

aross

Member
Joined
May 13, 2025
Messages
13
Location
MA
Hi, I’m going to agree with running it, if it doesn’t knock it’s just worn, not likely to break, it’ll probably just gradually get worse like over another 20 years LOL
Lobo is right on, Lucas engine treatment/motor honey
helps with blowby, it makes a nice film of oil in all the bearings,
Best of luck with your backhoe!

Dan
Hey Lobo and Dan, how much Lucas would you guys recommend to add?
 

aross

Member
Joined
May 13, 2025
Messages
13
Location
MA
Going through all of the basic maintenance items on the backhoe I finally got around to checking the air filter and this is what I found...

IMG_6529.jpg

Between the sludgy old oil and this filter no wonder why the motor is so worn out.. man it sucks when people can't do the basic necessities to keep a motor healthy.
 
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