A while back I picked up a new piece of machinery to help with many of our projects. It is not what I was originally looking for. I had been looking for a backhoe attachment for my Kubota tractor. The Kubota B20 was designed to be a TLB (Tractor / Loader / Backhoe) and has a frame integrated quick attach system designed for the matching BT650 backhoe unit. This is more solid and preferable to 3 point mounted units. The added weight due to this frame design makes them surprisingly capable and the backhoe units for them rarely come up for sale.
So I was perusing the local listings as I often did for these backhoes attachments. Usually the results are just a mix of full size backhoes and small 3 point hitch backhoes. However this time I came across this machine as well. It is an old CASE 360 Trencher / Backhoe. It was listed that it had some engine problems, but the format of the machine got my attention. Even better – it was for sale well under the budget I had in mind for a backhoe attachment. I decided it was worth checking out!
Checking out the CASE 360 Trencher
When I arrived, the owner was not able to get it to start, but said when it had been running it had a major oil leak from somewhere on the engine head. He had already bought the overhaul kit for it but didn’t have the time to mess with it. I ended up taking the chance and buying the machine.
After trying to load the CASE 360 onto my trailer with my 10,000 lb winch
unsuccessfully (I could drag it across the pavement, but not up the ramps), I started to troubleshoot why it wouldn’t start. Fortunately, the main reason it wouldn’t start was air in the injector lines. I soon had it running and was able to load it under its own power. The guy was right about the oil leak! I probably squirted half a gallon of motor oil out in the short time it took to drive up the trailer ramps.
Bringing the Machine Home
After getting it home, we were excited to see what it could do and didn’t waste any time tearing into the motor. That story deserves is own post, but fortunately we had it running and ready to work in just a few days.
Under the Hood
The CASE 360 Trencher is powered by a Deutz F2L1011 twin cylinder air cooled diesel engine. I have seen power specs list it from 30-36 HP. For steering, the machine articulates in the center like the large construction wheel loaders. On each end of this articulating hinge point, it has a very solid limited slip axle with high flotation tires. This results in a very rugged 4 wheel drive platform with bounds of traction. That’s not to say you can’t get it stuck – we already have! But then, I have never owned a machine that I haven’t managed to get stuck. In our case we managed to bury it in a mud bog behind the barn where there is a constant flow of spring water, and even the backhoe arm wasn’t able to gain enough grab to pull us out.
The transmission is hydraulic driven followed with a lot of gearing. This thing is by no means a fast mover. A casual paced walk can easily keep up with it at full speed! It does however have very low center of gravity and is quite at home on steeper slopes. It feels much more comfortable on a steep slope than the Kubota B20 does.
CASE 360 Capabilities
One end of the CASE 360 has 4’ mechanically driven chain trencher. You can raise and lower the trencher boom with a hydraulic cylinder, and there is an auger on one side to clear the surplus dirt. On the other end there is a small but heavy built CASE SD100 back hoe attachment. It only has a 9 foot reach from the pivot to bucket tip at full extension, but it has gobs of digging power and is much heavier built than any of the backhoe attachments I had been looking at previously.
There is also a hydraulic 4 way backfill blade stowed beneath the backhoe. I had not anticipated how useful this blade would be. It can offset to either side of the machine, with a steep angle in either direction, and move up and down – all controlled by hydraulics from the operator’s seat. With the hydraulic down power when combined with the weight of the machine (approx. 6k lbs), you can do a lot more than just backfill! It will dig into and push / pull compacted material far better than a tractor mounted 3 point rear blade. The hydraulic down force also allows it to grade into very tough compacted soil. I have already used it to smooth and grade out some of my steeper ditch banks.
The CASE 360 Trencher has become extremely handy for all sorts of projects. Far more than I had originally expected. I am glad I ended up going this route vs the backhoe attachment. Yes, it is another machine to maintain, but it is also ready to be go whenever I need the backhoe for a project. I don’t need to install or remove an attachment for a quick task. Plus, by being a separate machine it allows one person to dig while another operates the front loader on the Kubota to clear out the pile. This is especially true with these smaller reach machines. 9 feet sounds like a lot at first, but you really don’t have to dig very long before you are running out of room to put the dirt!
We have already used this machine for a lot of projects that we will be talking about more in future posts. We have done a lot of drainage ditching, installed culverts, installed a geothermal “earth tube” system for a green house, cleared brush, etc.
I also added a thumb attachment which has allowed us to move very heavy rocks, steel beams and more!
I have the same machine everything works great except when I use the backhoe the machine makes a loud squealing sound when its under pressure can you help me ?
speak for you.
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I also have a case 360 trenches with backhoe attachment. It’s got good power and have done many projects with it. I’m needing a hydraulic tank breather valve. Seems to be plugged and hydraulic fluid is coming out of the valve. Anyone know where I can find one?
Mark,
Thanks for the post. I’m actually looking at the same machine and have been looking at the backhoe attachment for my kubota as well. LOL. I just found this machine at a auction and before I buy it, I was wondering what type of trailer you actually used to haul it back home. Do you have any idea on the weight of the machine. I have a tandem axle trailer, lot like the one you have pictured. I just don’t know if the trailer will handle the machine. So I figured I’d ask someone who already has moved one.
Any and all info would be much appricated
Thanks in advance
Peter
Hey mark, I was trying to help a friend remove the trenching boom lift cylinder. I was able to remove the rear pin but I am not sure how to get the pin the connects the cylinder to boom. Do you have any information on that or how to get a service manual? Maybe someone to call?
TIA
Tony
Just bought 25×4 Case works great does anyone know if this unit can have a backhoe attachment as many of you have? Trencher and blade are very nice!
It can have a backhoe and I have a case 25×4 with backhoe and trencher. it has the wisconsin gas engine and when I had it running the backhoe was great. my trencher has never worked . if you are close to NC and interested reach out I have replaced it and have a complete unit available. [email protected]
Hi I have a case 460 and having trouble trying to source a rear crown and pinion assembly any help would be greatly appreciated.
Where did you find parts? I just purchased one and am having trouble finding parts.
Hi great story. I just bought a very similar model at a auction. it starts and runs great has some hydraulic line leaks. the backhoe and the blade function great however I cant engage the clutch for the trencher. Any ideas? Thanks George
George what model do you have? It is a huge variation between the 360 and 460 or others case makes not to mention the other brands.
Hello Mark
By chance, did you write up anything with regard to your rebuild / rework of the 2 cylinder Deutz diesel? How extensive was the rework— just repaired the oil leak or new rings, bearings, honed the cylinder walks, reworked the head?? Once reworked — how does reliable and strong does it run? Does it start easy under all conditions — warm and cold?
When it first starts up does it start relatively quietly or does it sound like nuts and bolts are loose inside the engine until it warms up? Thanks for your thoughts.
Hi Ali, I never got around to writing that post. It was not an extensive re-work. We took the head off and replaced the head gasket. Did not rehone or replace rings as both looked good. Only issue we had with that portion was the head bolts have a very long and twisty shank. One of them broke on removal and they are hard to source and pretty pricey.
Turned out the oil leak was not the head gasket like we thought. There is an oil line with a banjo bolt mounted to the block alongside the head. The oil line fitting had a pinhole, that sprayed a thin stream of oil into one of the cooling fins, where it would come shooting straight back out and looked exactly like it was coming out of the gasket! I brazed that pinhole and then we were finally leak free!
The engine has excellent power and starts surprisingly well in the cold considering it’s design does not even have glow plugs or any other form of heat assistance on start up. When starting cold I have found mid throttle seems to help some. It will crank for about 10 seconds, and then it just seems to spin gradually faster and faster until it is running. The sound on mine does not change significantly between cranking to idling on its own, mostly just a change in rpm. Hope that helps!
There is A coldstart plunger on the side of the engine behind the fan belt
I have the exact same machine could you advise me on how you installed the thumb attachment and does it work off any hydraulics if you could and don’t mind sharing how you hooked all of that up and have it working it would be greatly appreciated
Hi Tommy,
The thumb has been extremely handy. It is a fixed mount thumb that welds to the dipper boom. This is the exact one I purchased: https://amzn.to/2D8BI1a
Being a fixed thumb you don’t need to hook up any hydraulics. It has pins so you can change the angle, or fold it completely out of the way when not needed. It takes a bit to get the hang of at first, but once you do becomes pretty easy to work with. I like to pin it about the 90 degree position so I still have room for digging with the bucket. Then if I need to grab something I move the machine in combination with the boom/dipper to position the thumb right up against what I want to grab. Then just curl the bucket in to grab the item.
Mark,
Thanks for the info. I’m ordering one for my Case 360 as well.
great article!
I like how you compromised and ended up with a better solution.
I am glad to see a new article and am looking forward to more!!!!!!