Case's Biggest Skid Steer Offers Choices for Various Operators

Case’s new largest skid steer, the SV340 with rated operating capacity of 3,400 pounds, is hardly a monster (the industry’s new king of the hill can bench 4,200 pounds ROC) and control features make it easy for almost any operator to tame.

A decade ago, a skid steer with more than 3,000 lbs. operating capacity was a groundbreaking concept, a specialty machine geared toward a fairly narrow niche. Then the U.S. EPA’s diesel exhaust regulations created an artificial size threshold at 74 hp. Because 75 hp and larger diesels need exhaust aftertreatment systems such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and accompanying diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to satisfy emissions regulations, most manufacturers have been adding models with horsepower in the low 70s. They’re productive in a wide range of skid steer tasks, but without the maintenance challenges inherent in the more-complex exhaust systems. 

Strong demand for big skid steers remains, though, and the added cost of emissions compliance with the over-75-hp engines has driven development up the size range. Many operators want the muscle to carry big loads and the juice to power heavy-duty attachments. That’s where the 90-hp SV340 lives; a new vertical-lift skid steer that generates 9,531 pounds of bucket breakout force and offers three auxiliary hydraulic options, but with an operator interface designed to make it easy for any operator to use.

We recently took the SV340 into the field to see what it could do and how some of its newest features affect the operator’s experience.

Pick your priority

George McIntyre, product manager for skid steers at Case, says the introduction of the 90-horsepower SV340 is part of a recent polarization of the skid steer market between those who want big power and those who aim to lower their acquisition cost and maintenance requirements.

“Customers want more in terms of hydraulic horsepower and rated operating capacity, but that means moving to a [Selective Catalytic Reduction] system,” he explains, noting that most manufacturers today utilize SCR on their bigger skid steers. “Those machines need DEF, but some customers are a little apprehensive about that. If they stay at a 74-horsepower machine, it allows them to avoid the DEF system.”

The SV340 is a machine for the growing segment of buyers who have too much heavy lifting and/or thirsty hydraulic attachments for a 74-hp machine, and want plenty of capability as long as they’re shelling out for the bigger machine.

Power preference

The SV340, which replaces the Case SV300 at 3,000 pounds operating capacity, is available with three different auxiliary hydraulic systems. The standard auxiliary hydraulic flow rate is more than 24 gpm rated engine speed.

“Beyond our standard system we have two high-flow options,” McIntyre explains. “One is our high flow with 38.7 gpm at 3,450 psi. And then we have enhanced high flow, which takes it from 3,450 psi to 4,000 psi, at 35 gpm. The enhanced high flow is really made for specific applications, such as cold planing.

“The main reason you want the higher pressure is for more force, so you get more power out of whatever you’re running,” he says. “You want the flow, which gives you the speed, but you also want that power. With this model we increased the pressure for more hydraulic horsepower. Our previous system was at about 68 hydraulic horsepower. With standard high-flow, it increases to 78 hydraulic horsepower, and if you go to enhanced high flow, it brings it to 81.7.”

McIntyre continues, “Some customers want more muscle, but in a lot of cases, they aren’t using that additional operating capacity all the time. But when they need it, they have it,” he says, adding, “It’s not about being able to lift the extra weight, it’s about being able to lift the weight and carry it comfortably. When you have a heavier attachment – and attachments are getting heavier and heavier – you want more operating capacity.”

Spec’ed for rental

Skid steers in the 3,000-pound and up class can be a pricey investment, so be sure to spec your machine for maximum utilization. Following are a few points to consider with regard to the SV340:

• For most rental companies, the standard high-flow setup is appropriate, particularly if you don’t often rent skid steers with heavy-duty attachments such as a cold planer or mulcher.
• Machines with EZ-EH controls have nine speed and control-sensitivity settings that can be adjusted on the fly. This allows the operator to quickly switch between personalized settings for speed and control and to tailor the machine performance to the application. For a novice operator, for example, control response can be reduced for smoother operation until the operator gains finesse with the joysticks.
• A single rocker switch allows operators to switch between the Case “H” pattern and ISO pattern on the go, allowing for several operators with various preferences to use the same machine.
• Renters commonly have issues with attaching and detaching work tools when renting skid steers, often due to pressure built up in the hydraulic system. Case has worked to alleviate this problem with “release under pressure fittings.” When the operator pushes in on the fitting, it releases the pressure in the line, making it easier to connect the next attachment.

With the operator in mind

According to George McIntyre, product manager for skid steers at Case, the company put a lot of focus on operator comfort when designing the SV340. Evidence of this can be seen in the wide cab offering high visibility at every angle, but particularly to the rear of the machine. Rear-mounted coolers allow a very low-profile hood, and a wide, rounded rear window completes operators’ 360-degree view of their surroundings.

Despite the wide cab, which is 25 percent larger than the SV300’s working environment, the machine itself still has a compact footprint. “It’s in the Case DNA to offer compact machines with a lot of power,” McIntyre says. “Customers want to get into narrow places with light equipment or they’d be operating bigger machines.”

Case Ride Control promotes both comfort and productivity. A skid-steer’s short wheelbase can make for a bumpy ride that’s hard on operators and the load they’re carrying. The switch is located on the right joystick grip so it’s easily accessible and can be activated and deactivated with the press of a button.

“Skid steers and compact track loaders can be bouncy compared to other machines,” McIntyre points out. “Ride Control works really well any time the machine is going above 3 mph. Once you get into a situation where you’re digging, however, at that point you don’t want it activated. What we’ve done is create a momentary switch for Ride Control. When you want it, simply push in that button and ride control is activated. When you want to dig hard into a pile, just let go of the button.”

Perhaps most impactful to operators are the controls. Whether your customer is a seasoned operator with hard-core preferences or a novice user looking for the most intuitive interface, the SV340 offers a choice that will help them get the most work out of the machine. The machine is available with servo-assist mechanical H pattern controls or optional electro-hydraulic controls for versatility to change patterns and control sensitivity. Mechanical hand and foot controls are also available for those who prefer that simplicity and the feel of a direct linkage when they operate.

Rental Editor Jenny Lescohier operated the SV340 with the EH joysticks set in the ISO pattern (boom and bucket controls in the right joystick and ground-drive controls in the left) at the default control-sensitivity setting, which she found very easy to use. “As a novice operator who is a little bit intimidated by a big machine like this, I have to say it was the simplest operation that I’ve come across in a lot of my equipment experience,” she says. “The ISO setting is really intuitive for somebody who has no preconceived feelings about an operating pattern. In terms of the sensitivity, I did feel that when I was driving the machine forward and back, I was getting a little more used to the amount of finesse needed for that. If the controls were set at a lower setting, I might be much more productive because I wouldn’t be constantly compensating for my herky-jerky hand movements.”

McIntyre reduced the control sensitivity after Lescohier’s initial operating time, and she was quickly able to reduce wheel spin and fill buckets better.

“It made, for me, a tremendous difference,” she says. “For a novice operator who may have some over-movement of the hand and arm, I felt much more in control, and more productive. A great feature for renters, I think.”

Being able to tailor controls to the operator is huge in rental applications. “It makes sense for rental companies to purchase the machine with EH controls because they allow for an easy switch between control patterns,” McIntyre says. “We still offer mechanical control options, and it is an upgrade to go to the EH control system, but in terms of the overall cost of the skid steer, it’s a relatively minor investment and one you might want to consider because of what it can offer renters.”