Case Corp., Racine, Wis., has introduced a new XT skid-steer loader line - the 85XT, 90XT and 95XT. Case calls them tool carriers, and that describes them well: they have rated operating loads of up to 3,500 lbs. and maximum bucket breakout force of 6,175 lbs. and range from 66 to 74 hp.
The XTs also feature a choice of high-flow hydraulic systems with heavy-duty attachments for versatility, a comfortable operator's environment and ease of service.
"These machines offer the extra power and heavy-lift capability that customers in industries such as building construction, recycling, demolition and landscaping have been asking for," said Rusty Schaefer, Case marketing manager of industrial wheel and skid steers.
Case focused on the rental market throughout the process as the XT loaders were developed.
"We see the continued consolidation of rental companies of all sizes," said Harold Boyanovsky, senior vice president and general manager, North American Construction Equipment Business Unit and North American Parts Operations.
"Independent rental companies also are an important channel who serve a growing and likely permanent market sector," he added.
Case emphasizes the XT line's application abilities and its wide variety of attachments.
All three models can be equipped with a 3,000-psi, high-flow hydraulic system; the 90XT and 95XT can be equipped with a 5,000-psi hydrostatic high-flow hydraulic system to drive larger, more powerful attachments, such as a high-production 40-in. cold planer or a 60-hp stump grinder.
With the hydraulic coupler, a contractor can mount a wide range of attachments for the XTs, including buckets, forks, augers, cold planers, rock wheels, trenchers, hammers, tree shears, scrap shears, flail mowers and stump grinders.
Case and its allied suppliers co-engineered many of the attachments for the XT Series.
"For the investment that a rental operation puts into the machine, the different ways the owner can leverage that investment are expanded," said Jim Donoghue, director of marketing and business development. "The XT really offers a rental operation alternatives to other larger machines."
Ease of service was built in to the design. The XT's ROPS cab can be tilted up in about 10 seconds without tools to provide easy access to the major components. The XTs feature rear-door access for daily service, including fluids and air cleaner.
Operator environment features include a retractable seatbelt, a longer wheel base for a smoother ride and an operator presence system that locks out the ground drive and loader functions and sets the brake when the operator isn't in the unit.