Earthmoving Report: Case 400 Series 3 Skid Steer

Sept. 28, 2010

Case upgraded each of the eight models in its 400 Series 3 skid steers with horsepower and torque increases along with Tier-3-certified engines. As is often the case with emissions upgrades, horsepower and torque were bumped up for all of the models, but net horses jumped 16 percent in the 410 and a whopping 23 percent in 420. Cabs were redesigned to add some convincing features, and a couple of the models made impressive leaps over their predecessors' capabilities.

Case upgraded each of the eight models in its 400 Series 3 skid steers with horsepower and torque increases along with Tier-3-certified engines. As is often the case with emissions upgrades, horsepower and torque were bumped up for all of the models, but net horses jumped 16 percent in the 410 and a whopping 23 percent in 420. Cabs were redesigned to add some convincing features, and a couple of the models made impressive leaps over their predecessors' capabilities.

Case's eight 400 Series 3 machines span rated operating loads (half of tipping load) of 1,500 to 3,000 pounds, and are powered with net horsepowers from 57 to 83. An ISM 2.2-liter turbocharged engine drives the 410, and Case 3.2-liter turbo diesels are in models 420, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450 and 465.

The 420 Series 3, with its prodigious net power increase to 69 horsepower, also increased rated operating capacity 100 pounds to 1,850 pounds. Tipping load increased 200 pounds to 3,700 pounds. Maximum height to the bucket pin is 6 inches higher, and dump height (that's clearance with the bucket tipped to discharge angle) jumped nearly 7 inches to just over 96 inches.

Impressive increases in arm-lifting forces on opposite ends of the product line — the 410, 420, 450 and 465 — are most pronounced in the 420 (+17 percent) and 465 (+12 percent).

If you tend to push skid steers to their limits, look closely at the 435's tipping load. It actually decreased a couple of hundred pounds to 4,400 pounds.

The 440 Series 3 now mixes with the Gehl/Mustang offering at 83 horsepower and 6,200 pounds of bucket breakout force in a skid steer rated at 2,200 pounds. Only Cat's 246C offers more bucket-curl force.

Case pilot controls for all models are available from the factory in either Case's "H" pattern, with control of the right drive motor in the right joystick and control of the left drive motor in the left joystick, or the more conventional ISO control pattern. Factory accessory kits can permanently change the control pattern from H to ISO or vice versa.

The new 400 Series 3 cabs increase headroom 7 percent across the line. Lap bars are padded now, and 6 percent wider. The 435, 445, 450 and 465 Series 3 models offer a 20-percent increase in front glass area, while the 410, 420, 430 and 440 Series 3 units demonstrate an 81-percent increase in front glass. The air-ride seat is now standard equipment. A standard overhead window with more punch-outs than previous models provides outstanding visibility to the loader arms when the bucket is raised. The foot throttle is also now standard on all models, allowing operators to easily control rpms. The hand throttle was relocated on the 410, 420, 430 and 440 to the same location as the larger models.

Case was the first manufacturer to make exterior side lighting standard equipment on skid steers so that operators can better see the space into which their machine is turning after dark.

Wide-fin side-by-side radiator and oil coolers resist clogging and are easier to clean. A no-maintenance fan belt on the 420, 430, 435 and 445 Series 3 models is a plus, while an automatic belt tensioner on the 440, 450 and 465 requires no adjustment.

The standard 1,125-cold-cranking-amp battery is 32 percent more powerful than previous standard equipment. And a grid heater to aid cold starting is standard equipment on all models except the small 410, which comes with glow plugs.

400 Series 3 Specs   Net Horsepower Rated Load (lb.)* Arm Lifting Force (lb.) * 50% of tipping load Source: Spec-Check.com 410 Series 3 57 1,500 3,751 420 Series 3 69 1,850 4,200 430 Series 3 77 2,000 4,304 435 Series 3 77 2,200 4,400 440 Series 3 83 2,200 4,576 445 Series 3 77 2,500 5,000 450 Series 3 83 2,450 5,689 465 Series 3 83 3,000 6,500