Hi, I recently acquired a Case 530 CK loader/bhoe with the gas engine. It is in pretty good condition however on using it I've noticed that the two levers for the bucket/dipper aren't balanced so when you pull them both back with the bucket teeth in the ground horizontally, the bucket will rapidly start scooping while the dipper takes forever to pull forward. Plus moving the boom up and down causes the machine to jerk and bounce which seems to be too much pressure. The loader doesn't seem to have enough power to lift a load unless you throttle up to 2600 rpm. Is this normal with this machine or should everything be as smooth as a new 580. Any links or tips on whats involved in balancing the pressure for the loader and the hoe?

Newer backhoes that have the feature you're describing. On older machines, pull back on the dipper as you feather the boom. It just takes a little practice. Having to race the engine to get the hoe to operate properly is likely caused by a worn out hydraulic pump. I've discoverd that a new pump from a Case Power and Equipment dealer is quite reasonable on price.

Ok, never had a machine like this before so I just assumed it worked like the new ones. It isn't a problem working the two levers separately.

The hoe works fine on just idle, can fill the bucket without problems. It is the loader that seems to need the revving which is why I thought that the pressure isn't being balanced correctly. No guessing here, I think I will get a 3000 psi gauge and start checking out the high pressure lines to see what the pump is putting out, then maybe the pressure going into the loader. I was more or less wondering what the normal behavior of these old 530s is since I don't have anything to compare to.

You're correct about getting a pressure gauge. With the gauge installed at the loader valve, roll back the loader bucket until the relief opens. At a fast idle, the gauge should read 2000 PSI. Also, try the boom cylinder. If turning in the pressure relief screw does not bring it up to 2000 PSI, either the cylinder packingss are leaking or the hydraulic pump needs replacing. Good luck.

You're correct about getting a pressure gauge. With the gauge installed at the loader valve, roll back the loader bucket until the relief opens. At a fast idle, the gauge should read 2000 PSI. Also, try the boom cylinder. If turning in the pressure relief screw does not bring it up to 2000 PSI, either the cylinder packingss are leaking or the hydraulic pump needs replacing. Good luck.