Case Construction Equipment has never been shy about showing trade show audiences its imaginative prototypes celebrated with smoke machines and colorful names. However, it has been a mixed bag as far as machines reaching the market.
At Conexpo 2004, Case showed an elevated sprocket, quad-tracked backhoe loader that was compelling—but the windows were heavily tinted, and the cab was locked to attendees—because it was mostly empty.
At Conexpo 2017, there was a tease of the “Minotaur,” which looked like a CTL outfitted with a dozer blade. It was decidedly more than that, and it was introduced in 2022 as the DL550 compact dozer loader.
At Bauma 2019, it was a natural-gas/methane-powered wheel loader, “Project Tetra,” powered by an FPT Industrial natural gas engine said to deliver up to 230 horsepower, and has “diesel-like” performance, according to the company.
In 2020, it was an electric backhoe concept, “Project Zeus,” which was refined and previewed yet again at Conexpo 2023 as the 580EV. It is now commercially available. A quick canvas of Chicago-area Case dealers revealed no models on dealer lots, but a unit has been sold to the City of Chicago.
So, it’s anybody’s guess whether the industry will ever see “Impact,” a remote-controlled electric compact wheel loader, the eCWL 12EV, recently hyped at Bauma in Munich.
The Z-bar-linkage loader does not have a cabin. It’s operated from what Case calls a “control lounge.”
Case pointed out that the lounge not only enhances operational flexibility but also enables operations in extreme environments and adverse weather conditions. It also touts it as a “a significant advancement in accessibility, as operators with motor impairments can now operate the machine without physical limitations, representing an important step toward inclusivity in the industry.”
The concept also includes an integrated perception system, which uses advanced hardware to collect real-time data, meant to improve efficiency and precision during operation. Additionally, Impact is equipped with semi-autonomous functionality, allowing automated digging and dumping operations.
"Innovation is our foundation,” Fabrizio Cepollina, VP CE EMEA Region & Global Alliances, said in a statement. “It's ingrained in our DNA. Since 1842, innovation has been our driving force, ensuring our continued vitality. For Case, innovation means delivering practical, impactful solutions, products, and services, that directly enhance our customers' businesses.”
No date was given as a target for Impact to reach Europe or North America.
Case Construction Equipment’s VP for North America, Terry Dolan, addressed innovation and its results during the Minotaur launch in a discussion with Construction Equipment.
“We’re a global company,” Dolan said, “and we participate in a global market, so whether something is being driven by Europe, or South America, or the U.S., we’re looking at how we can solve customers’ needs.
“I think the methane wheel loader that you saw at Bauma is not in the market today, but you see that with our sister brand New Holland with ag tractors,” Dolan said. “There are methane-running ag tractors today. With new technology, you have to test it, you have to evaluate it and see what the customers’ reception is.
“Do they see it as a market opportunity? I love the fact that Case will take an event like Conexpo…or Bauma…and showcase a product like that, that is not truly being fully introduced to the market, but it’s being tested,” Dolan continued.
“What’s the reception? How do we gain the reception to drive more development on those?”
See how Case tested its electric backhoe loader
For Impact, Case projects that fuel savings can be up to 30 percent over diesel, and that the engine produces 15 percent less carbon dioxide and 99 percent less particulate matter than diesel.
The Impact project was developed by the CNH Industrial Design team, in collaboration with CNH’s Vehicle and Electronics Department and other technological partners.
