From brand uncertainty to a fresh start, WBL Group found their perfect mini excavator replacements in Case’s CX-D series
Who would imagine replacing of your mini digger fleet would give such a mixed variety of brands from around the globe in little old New Zealand. We sure are spoiled for choice.
In the market for new machines to replace our existing, slightly ageing fleet, we knew what was needed to tick all the boxes. Having found our brand of choice for our mini diggers six-odd years ago, we added our first 1.8TZT Eurocomach, followed later by a ES55ZT Eurocomach.
Brand uncertainty
Proving themselves with operator comfort and the ability to perform, our future equipment programme was to replace like with like, however, in 2022 news of Eurocomach’s uncertainty to represent itself in the local machinery market had us wondering where things were heading.
Unsure if we could carry on being able to buy the Eurocomach brand, the local distributor eventually confirmed they were not bringing in any more of the Italian manufactured minis. This was further confirmed when we found out that CNH Industrials Construction Equipment had purchased 90% of Eurocomach owner Sampierana. It essentially meant that things were going to change.
Finding a replacement
Right: The Case CX50D has maximum reach at ground level of 5550mm
Replacing machines with our brand of choice on the cards, finding another machine for the job was a task involving a few yarns and playing with different brands. Kicking the tracks on other local contractors’ machines over time gave us the chance to talk amongst ourselves, making a casual list of pros and cons about what we did and didn’t like about them.
A one-brand fleet being high on our agenda moving forward with diggers, we wanted to make sure we weren’t buying a one-hit wonder. We wanted our new brand of choice to be able to represent itself from our 1.8-tonne range through to our 20-tonne machines. With this on our wish list we also wanted to make sure we aligned ourselves with a dealer that had proven customer support and backed its product.
After a year or so of looking and playing on various brands from Chinese-made to your run-of-the-mill Japanese diggers, we finally found what we were after. With the Case brand of minis now being made out of the Eurocomach factory, we decided to have a tutu on the new Case CX19D mini. Mimico’s northwest salesman Greg Wright dropped off their demo for us to put to the test.
First grip of the controls
Right: The cab on the five-tonne machine was more comfortable than expected
Having had a lot of new diggers to play on over the past 20 odd years, it takes a bit to get me get excited about spending time in the seat of a new machine these days – although in this instance it’s fair to say it was love at first grip of the controls.
The ability to hop onto a machine and have it swing into action like it’s an extension of your hands is exactly what you want. Being able to use your feet tracking the machine while digging or trimming and have it operate seamlessly is a true test to put any digger through. It passed with flying colours.
Not being quite as roomy in the long leg department as its earlier Eurocomach predecessor, this would be one of the only flaws I could pinpoint. The operator station was more streamlined with great dash and screen provision. A big cup/bottle holder and phone holders are a pleasant upgrade from the old brand too. When it comes to servicing, access is great for a mini, with the entire cab tilting up.
Contract signed
Contract signed and delivery of our new CX19D was in early May, so we have been putting her through its paces for the last month or so. Fitting the new workhorse with a Doherty 180 degree tilting quick hitch, full set of buckets and ripper wasn’t a cheap exercise but was definitely money well spent to get a versatile 1.9-tonne digger that can dig above the best.
Upsize the order
After being impressed with the smaller 1.9-tonne model, we were inspired to get Mimico’s Case CX50D 5-tonne demonstrator up for a hoon as well.
First looks were not quite what we were after in-terms of cab size. With the Eurocomach five-tonner feeling a lot more spacious I had concerns; no one loves being cramped up in a tiny space.
Sending the demo machine into some bulk clay excavating I managed to sit in the cab for about five hours straight. With my original concerns of cab space being too snug, my body proved me wrong, and I hopped out feeling fresh as a daisy after my session.
The Case CX50D has a similar cab layout as its baby sister, nice simple controls with digital dash. It takes a minute for the old school mind to figure out aircon etc on the dash, but I got there in the end. We’re loving the new simple things, like the phone holder in this model, and are considering adding the machine to the company asset list.
The machine was coupled with an Attach2 180-degree hitch and buckets, which aren’t a bad combo. I found the machine fairly smooth to operate, with electric over hydraulic controls, something I’m not a 100 percent onboard with but have to accept with newer gear.
Tracking power on the machine is awesome. It’s amazing where it tracked and I’d rate the tracking power as number one in the five-tonne excavators that I’ve operated.
Mimico also did an awesome job with the lighting on the machine, setting it up well for working on the early mornings and darker winter evenings with light bars a plenty.
Although it’s early days, the two machines have ticked all our needs so far and we believe Mimico will be the provider of the Case brand to our fleet when the time comes to upgrade.
Case CX-D specifications
| Basic specs | Case CX19D | Case CX50D |
|---|---|---|
| Operating weight | 1880kg | 4950kg |
| Power | 18.6hp (13.8kW | 57.9hp (43.1kW) |
| Max height | 2370mm | 2570mm |
| Max width | 1300mm | 1900mm |
| Max reach at ground level | 3920mm | 5500mm |
| Max digging depth | 2280mm | 3330mm |
| Max dump height | 2580mm | 3920mm |
For more information, contact mimico.co.nz