Case 530ck vs 580ck

Looking into a backhoe for, well just to have one. I like the older stuff b/c I wrench on things rather than watch tv. So I understand the 530ck will have more in common with the ag tractor and the 580ck is probably the first split towards the backhoe and doesn't share as much with the ag tractors. Does the 580ck have the caseomatic, come in gas version? I know the 580 is heavier, is it worth the increased cost/harder to find parts?

I have had both and my choice is the 530CK if all gear drive. I hate the torque-converter drive on the 580CK. If you live in a cold area, it
takes forever to get moving after a cold start in the winter. Plus coming down a hill the trans will not hold you back very well. Plus the
530CK is light enough you can truck it with a HD pickup and trailer. When it comes to machines that are getting old, I much prefer those
with mechanical drive parts. Just one person's opinion. I will note that besides my 580CK, my neighbor owned two since brand new. His also
would not move at first after starting cold. If you live somewhere warm, this might not matter to you.

The 530CK and the 580CK are based on the same tractor platform,, the 530 utility tractor, the 530 can have either a dry clutch or Case-O-Matic drive. the 159 Case gas engine was std with the Case 188 dsl as a option, loader is the same basic model on both 530CK and 580CK, engines are also the same choices, the big change between a 530CK and 580CK is the backhoe, the 530CK has the design with the boom cylinder enclosed in the boom mast, the 580CK is a external design and is a stronger more productive backhoe,, both are perfectly fine for what you are wanting one for. the extra weight is the backhoe between the two. the 580CK also introduced the power shuttle where the 530CK has a mechanical shuttle, again both will do the job you will be asking of it just fine. We sold hundreds of 580CK from 1966 through 1970,( we sold the 580B/580C also through 1976) Every 580CK we sold had power shuttle,, Best setup that was available and was just one thing that put Case in the #1 spot for TLB production,sales and resale value which they still hold today, I use my 580CK year around in temps down to -80F with Zero problems,, of course you have to let it warm up 10-15 min when its that cold,, like any machine,, parts are around for either model,, the bulk of them we sold was in the oil field, there is not much tougher place to be a machine than in that app, some companies here owned 25 580CK's in those days,, as far as splitting them they both split the very same way,, I never remove a engine to work on a shuttle on them but just split and roll the rear axle/trans unit out the rear, I can have one torn down in less than 2 hours,, and that includes removing the hoe and backhoe mounts ect, of course both the 530CK and 580CK can be bought with a dry clutch,, for loader work I will take a power shuttle over a dry clutch any day built they made both depending on what your likes was. a 580B is the same basic tractor and loader,, with some tin work and operator platform changes, and the "B" has the over center backhoe design which is far better balanced for roading,, and had a factory cab with ROPS option,, a 580C was a complete redesign and is what is still being built today,, hope that answered your questions if I forgot something just ask,, I am glad to add more info/data

Than you guys for the replies, I think that clears it up for me. I guess either one will work once I find one in the condition/price I'm after. I will give a little nod to the 530ck as it has the tin to match the 30 series tractors it will be in company with.

You run your backhoe at 80 degrees below zero F? Where the heck do you live?

Wyoming,, it has gotten there more than once lol hell we ran them then with no cabs also,,

So you are saying your Case 580CK sat somewhere where it had reached a temperature of 80 below zero and the diesel started right up and it ran fine? US Weather service states the coldest temp ever recorded in the contiguous USA was minus 70F in 1954.

I have seen -75 below air temp about 30 miles from me where I spent a lot of time working,, wind chill was far colder,, good grief I had to circulate coolant from the truck through the 580 engine,, then she fired off fine,, that was the far coldest day I have ever worked in,, but -40 air temp is sure not out of the norm here,, as far as being recorded no weather recording/reporting in those days where I was,, just reading the thermometer at the ranch where we was working,, of course I did not just take off,, oil is like thick pudding in those temps,, it had to warm up for over a half hour running with the wheels jacked up in low gear so it would move,, also had to carefully work the hyd's I have been running equipment in these sub zero temps since the 60's I do not just get in any thing car equipment what ever and just drive off before letting them warm up properly in any temp let alone when its sub zero,, as for the report of coldest temp,, the weather service does not give a hoot about us out here as there is not many of us per square mile like say in CAL or NY city we do not matter so why bother finding out what temp it is,, back in the 60 and 70's the oil field work did not stop because of a cold day,, I have seen backhoe booms Snap off like they were made of glass and fall into the ditch more than once,, that takes wind chill driving those temps in the iron,, but Yes with proper preparation of the machine to be able to operate in our temps it works fine,,