Case Advances Wheel Loader Performance, with Comprehensive G Series Wheel Loader Technology Enhancements

Posted by Brooke Just

Case Construction Equipment has introduced comprehensive enhancements to its entire line of G Series wheel loaders to improve performance and productivity, increase uptime, and empower the operator with greater control and understanding of the machine and its work.

“Wheel loaders — especially those in production and heavy working environments — achieve significant improvements in performance and profitability when you shorten cycle times, simplify operation and increase uptime,” says Andrew Dargatz, product manager, Case. “Each of the enhancements introduced in the new Case G Series loaders drive those incremental improvements that lead to big gains in productivity and efficiency.”

New enhancements to the Case G Series wheel loaders include:

• An all-new touchscreen display that delivers the intuitive user experience and puts all core operational controls at the operator’s fingertips
• New configurable buttons built into the armrest allow the operator to program certain settings/tasks and perform their work faster/more efficiently throughout the day
• New adjustable electro-hydraulic controls that further dial in machine performance to each task
• A new Smart Power Mode that improves communication between the engine and transmission based on workload to further drive fuel efficiency and reduced tire wear
• New electro-hydraulic parallel lift functionality (Z-bar and XR models) that improves material retention and loading operations
• A fully integrated OEM payload system that helps improve load accuracy and provides detailed reporting for billing, tracking and operational performance
• Enhanced telematics performance and reporting, and remote diagnostics for increased uptime
• Integration and connectivity with the Case North American Uptime Center
• A new Tire Pressure Monitoring System that optimizes tire life and fuel consumption

The New Touchscreen Command Center and Operator Experience

The Case G Series enhancements feature an all-new touchscreen display that provides tablet-like performance for accessing all critical machine settings and operational data — simplifying performance and allowing operators to adapt more quickly to real-time conditions. This includes all-new adjustable electro-hydraulic controls that allow the operator to independently set lift (boom) and tilt (bucket) responsiveness to match operator preference and loading situations. Each function can be independently set to smooth, moderate or aggressive within the new touchscreen monitor.

Case has simplified the previous power mode offering with two modes: Smart and Max. Max is chosen when the operator wants to work at full throttle, while the new Smart Mode delivers high performance and an enhanced operating experience through improved communication between the engine and transmission. This also helps achieve smoother shifting, reduced tire wear and up to 10 percent fuel savings when compared to Max mode.    

Operators can also take advantage of new electro-hydraulic parallel lift functionality across all boom configurations that assists in material retention and smooth loading by automatically maintaining the angle and position of the bucket or forks. Enabling Ride Control in this mode further minimizes the risk of the material shifting while loading or transporting.

A hallmark of the new C G Series enhancements are three new color-coded configurable buttons on the right armrest that allow the operator to more quickly, and with minimal movement, interact with preprogrammed machine settings or functions to further simplify operation. These settings are determined by the operator and can include critical functions/displays such as the all-new payload screen, rearview camera, differential lock or declutch, and strobe activation.

“These advances, combined with the ergonomic design of the joysticks and the operator station, centralize total operation of the loader for improved operator performance and focus, and reduced fatigue,” Dargatz said.

Payload System Improves Loading Accuracy, Compliance and Record Keeping

The all-new payload system is integrated directly into the loader’s primary display and provides bucket weight, pass counts, accumulated/running weight, job tracking data and more for high-volume loading and production environments. This allows operators to precisely load each truck to reduce under/overload situations by accurately weighing each bucket, and cumulatively track the total weight of material loaded into each truck. It also helps operators track total loads and total volume of material moved over a period of time, and can also track history by customer, truck, or material, as well as provide ticket histories.

It also helps play an important role in agricultural operations where it can serve as another proof point/check on measurements such as the amount of lime being applied to a field, or the amount of ingredients applied to a feed mix.

“The onboard payload system drives efficiencies in loading cycles and reduces situations where operators have to top off trucks as they sit on the scale — a waste of time and work for the loader,” Dargatz said. “It reduces instances where trucks have to dump material because they are overweight, or drive to a site underloaded because the operator was light with each bucket. It also provides a perspective into the operation of the loader to evaluate operator performance, as well as into cycle information that could help make future decisions on bucket and machine sizing for an application.”

The new payload system also interacts directly with the newly enhanced Case SiteWatch telematics platform to further improve total connectivity and operational intelligence.

SiteWatch comes standard for three years on each new Case G Series wheel loader as part of Case ProCare. It features an all-new dashboard, more intuitive navigation and new overview sections that spotlight critical information without requiring the user to search for the data. SiteWatch, when matched with the new SiteConnect Module and the newly enhanced G Series, enables more dynamic collection and analysis of data, as well as full integration with the all-new integrated payload system to provide payload reports, ticket details and overall performance information. 

SiteConnect Module and the Case Uptime Center: Improving Uptime and Responsiveness

“Uptime and responsiveness are primary drivers when it comes to heavy construction equipment consideration, and the advances brought to the Case G Series with remote diagnostics and the ability to update software and clear codes remotely will significantly shorten any downtime events experienced by the owner/operator,”  Dargatz said. “This will significantly improve uptime for the machine owner and will allow the dealer to better understand the status or issue at hand, resolve the issue faster, and will save the dealer hours in travel time and expense associated with trips to the field for what may be simple updates that can now be done remotely in a matter of minutes.”   

Case accomplishes this through the new SiteConnect Module along with the new SiteManager App (iOS and Android). This app pairs your phone or device to the machine to enable remote analysis. Certified Case technicians then diagnose the health of each connected machine through various parameter readings and fault codes — and the technician makes a determination as to whether the issue can be addressed remotely (such as clearing codes or updating software) or if it requires a trip to the machine.

Case will also leverage the SiteConnect Module to further improve telematics data and performance, and the collaboration between equipment owner, dealer and manufacturer. This enhanced connectivity allows the machine owner to share — at their discretion — real-time machine information with the dealer and the Case Uptime Center in Racine, Wis.   

“We believe strongly in the idea of collaborative fleet management, and the ability to share more data, more effectively will enhance the ability of each dealer and our team in the Uptime Center to proactively identify potential issues with the machine that may require attention — and to schedule the appropriate follow-up action with the machine at a time that is convenient for the owner, or before it becomes a larger issue,” Dargatz said.

The SiteConnect Module also improves the volume, flow and integration of data to the Case SiteWatch telematics platform for real-time monitoring, management of maintenance and service intervals, examination of equipment utilization and overall machine record keeping.  

Tire Health and Performance Drives Overall Performance

As with any truck or car, tire health and performance has a significant effect on overall performance, tire and component life, and fuel efficiency — especially when driving on underinflated tires. The all-new Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) features individual sensors that mount to the valve stem of each tire along with a receiver module that communicates the pressure for each tire onto the display and alerts the operator when the tire pressure is outside of a set range.

“That detail helps illustrate the extensive pragmatic thought that’s behind these new enhancements,”  Dargatz said. “All of these new features have been driven by direct feedback from customers and dealers — from the tires to the bucket to the engine and to the controls — to provide comprehensive connectivity and systems improvement that will increase productivity and uptime while decreasing all of the operational elements that drag on performance and profitability.”   

And to tie it all together with product support and predictable owning and operating costs, Case G Series wheel loaders are protected by Case ProCare — a three-year, 3,000-hour full-machine factory warranty; three-year, 2,000-hour planned maintenance contract; and a three-year Case SiteWatch telematics subscription.

Visit your local Case dealer and visit CaseCE.com/GSeries to learn more about the entire lineup of newly enhanced and connected G Series wheel loaders.