The government has announced a slew of norms to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles and equipment on and off the road.  The cost of implementing these norms will be on the higher side but at Case, we remain committed to such initiatives says Puneet Vidyarthi, Brand Leader, Case India.

How does the BSVI norms give impetus to efficiency? How has it impacted the cost of your excavators and backhoe loaders?
The Construction Equipment industry is moving towards a sustainable future. The government has announced a slew of norms to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles and equipment on and off the road. A BSVI engine in terms of efficiency gives better performance and mileage. It will also reduce PM emissions, which is the main constituent for outdoor air pollution, by over 80 per cent in diesel engine vehicles which benefits the environment.

The cost of implementing these norms will be on the higher side but at Case, we remain committed to such initiatives. We value the environment and believe that each and every change contributes to the betterment of the world we inhabit. We have also been recognized as a Global Sustainability Leader for several years in a row. The current circumstances which have restricted cash flow and movement for the CE industry have led the government to consider deferring the BS-VI emission norms. But we’ll be happy to invest in change that protects the environment and will be ready to shift to these emission norms as and when the government deems it necessary.

Globally, CNH has already launched many environment-friendly technologies such as Project TETRA: A ) Methane-Powered Concept Wheel Loader, which ensures 15 per cent less CO2 and 99 per cent less particulate matter than its diesel-based counterpart. Case also launched the industry’s first Fully Electric Backhoe this year – the 580EV, which has Zero emissions and helps customers save as much as 90 per cent in an annual vehicle, fuel and maintenance costs.

What are the specific factors which make your excavators and backhoe loaders efficient on uptime?
Case India offers a range of loader backhoes and excavators replete with advanced features to ensure efficiency and productivity. Our loader backhoes are powered by FPT Industrial S8000 engines which deliver powerful performance, fast response time and increased fuel economy. They’re reengineered from the ground-up to deliver industry-leading backhoe breakout force and higher loader lift capacity/reach. The heavy-duty front axle with double effect steering cylinder ensures all wheels remain in contact with the ground even on the roughest terrain, ensuring exceptional stability and reliability. Additionally, last year we included our brand new Excavator in the Indian portfolio. The CASE CX220C LC is a 22-ton excavator that is specially designed for the Indian terrain and delivers faster cycle times, higher productivity and fuel savings. The excavators also come with a Case Intelligent Hydraulic System (CIHS) which actively manages hydraulic power throughout lift/dump and dig/ curl movements to maximize speed and efficiency while reducing fuel consumption by minimizing unnecessary hydraulic flow.

The spacious cab has redesigned ergonomics to offer better operator comfort. The large size glazed windows provide outstanding all-round visibility. The single-piece engine hood provides excellent access for maintenance. The machine layout has been designed to ensure all daily service points are easily accessible at ground level, for quick and efficient servicing. The advanced features of our loader backhoes ensure maximum efficiency and high productivity for our customers.

How far hybrid excavators and backhoe loaders look attractive for Indian conditions?
Construction equipment with hybrid technology has the potential to be attractive for Indian customers and conditions when the total cost of owning and operating the unit is optimal. Currently, most of the technology available globally has a high cost of acquisition, is not easily available in India and is not well suited for long working hours. It offers fuel economy but this is not sufficient to offset the overall costs, hence this technology has to evolve more to be a more attractive solution for the Indian market.

Tell us about the future plans for your range of excavator and backhoe loader in terms of innovations.
We launched our first-ever excavator CX220C at Excon 2019. The 22-ton Excavator is specially engineered as a heavy-duty version for Indian terrains and works with faster cycle times to deliver higher productivity. The CX220C is available in both standard and long undercarriage and hosts a range of fuel-saving features, advanced telematics and robust structures making it a suitable workhorse for tough Indian working conditions. As far as Backhoe Loaders are concerned, we are working on manufacturing technology-rich products that meet upcoming emission norms. Our current range of EX series of Backhoe Loaders are powered by the renowned FPT engines and are robust, easy to maintain and feature advanced telematics for remote maintenance.

Apart from fuel efficiency, what are the other factors which make your backhoe loaders and excavators most preferred? Case has always been a technology and future-oriented brand. The current range of our backhoe loader and excavators machines is laden with the best in class components and features. In this segment, we have, 770 EX PRO, CASE 770 EX Magnum PRO, Only Loader variants and 851 EX PRO & Centre Pivot models. The series is re-engineered from the ground and provides powerful backhoe breakout forces, higher loader lift capacity/ reach and best-in-class cab visibility. It has a robust, robotically welded two-piece structural frame design which results in great stability, performance and serviceability. The S-styled backhoe boom delivers excellent digging forces.

It has a superior working range and reaches deeper than any other backhoe loader. 770EXMagnum has an optional 15 feet backhoe; one foot longer than what is available in the market. It also has a bigger pump for more flow and speed which means higher productivity for the customer. On the other hand, Case India’s hydraulic excavators are made to deliver high performance and precision in their functions. Its robust design and versatile nature makes it a multipurpose machine, which can finish the job easily and in the least amount of time. Our CHEX excavator develops a gross power of 117 KW (157 hp) and peak torque of 622 Nm at 1800rpm. It comes with 3 power modes and ten auxiliary hydraulic settings. The in-built CASE Intelligent Hydraulic System (CIHS) further improves fuel efficiency and provides smooth control.

The advanced hydraulic system offers higher breakout forces, improved swing speeds and greater swing torque, resulting in faster cycle times and a five per cent increase in productivity. The cabin includes an ergonomically designed seat which provides a better lever position to assure the safety of the operators. All Case’s equipment are also equipped with Telematics Systems, a real-time vehicle tracking and communication system based on GPS technology which keeps a track of your machine’s performance, security and efficiency. Case has always believed in manufacturing machines and designing solutions that empower their customers and will continue to do so.