Heavy Equipment: Case CX330

As you may know, the CX330 is the upgrade to the 9050B model from Case.  The CX330 is quite an upgrade, being much bigger than the 9050B. 

In standard form, the CX330 is almost 5,000 pounds heavier than the 9050B.  This added weight comes from a larger counterweight and from a redesigned carbody that will now completely enclose the swing system. 

These added pounds will also contribute to the boost in the CX330s over-front capacity, and in combination with higher hydraulic pressures the travel circuit, give the excavator a very impressive 16% boost in draw bar pull, which means more power for negotiating poor underfoot conditions and very steep grades.

In addition to the new features, the CX330s digging linkage has been enhanced in many ways.  The boom and arm, deeper in cross section to accommodate higher digging forces, now incorporate V-groove type welds that are placed by robots and 100 percent ultra sound inspected.

The boom foot and boom to arm pivots use improved bushings, new plated pins, and new dust seals that combine to make a more durable and easier to take care of assembly.  The newly hardened chrome pins will also contribute to the overall digging linkage durability.

Even though the basic 6 cylinder, 8.3 liter engine in the CX330 has been used in Case products since 1985, continual refinement over the years has changed nearly 85% of the original engine's part numbers.  The CX330 features 259 net HP with an air to air intercooler and a free breathing 24 valve cylinder head. 

The electronic logic that controls the new engine's fuel system tracks the machine's operating parameters and keeps the system continually armed to respond instantly and precisely to the fuel requirements of each individual cylinder.  The total electronic design of the engine will also eliminate cable and step motor controls from the fuel system, with a large gain in reliability.

Even though modest changes in the CX330s digging linkage geometry will contribute to the higher forces of digging, the big guns here are the refinement of the trench with it's open center hydraulic system.  The main pressure in the implement circuit is up almost 8%, with the hydraulic cylinder diameter up 7% as well.

Hydraulic power
The increase in hydraulic power combines with the more efficient linkage geometry to yield almost 20% more bucket digging force and 15% more arm force.  With 19 more HP, the CX330 can drive it's main hydraulic pumps with much better force.  In addition, the new pumps will produce about 6% more flow for increased hydraulic speed at much lower system pressures.

The new PCS (Pro Control System) will manage the hydraulic system and interface with the 6TAA-830 engine, and does it with more electronic genious than the 9050B did.  Similar to the 9050B, the CX330 does have manually selected working modes, although it departs from previous designs by adding a new automatic work mode.  By working in the new automatic mode, the CX330 can analyze load demands and operator input at the joystick, then adjust the engine and hydraulic pumps to balance power and speed with efficiency and even with the economy.

Other PCS features include a high speed assistance system, which will speed up boom and arm functions, and an automatic power boost system as well.  The power boost system will increase main pressure by 10% for 8 seconds if the implement system reaches the standard relief pressure for more than 1 second in tough digging conditions.

With everything the CX330 from Case offers, it's truly the best excavtor in years.  Case has outdone themselves this time, doing their part to make excavating both fun and exciting.  If you've been looking for the perfect upgrade from the 9050B, the CX330 is all that and a bag of chips.