Model Spotlight

Case 480B Construction King: Specs, Parts & Common Issues

The direct successor to the 480CK, produced 1971 through 1976. Same G188D diesel, refined loader, still dry-clutch mechanical shuttle — power shuttle did not arrive on the 480-line until the 480C. Here's the corrected spec sheet, documented common issues, and parts in stock with verified 480B fitment.

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Broken Tractor Editorial Team • Updated May 2026 • 9 min read

The Case 480B is the 1971-through-1976 evolution of the original 480CK Construction King. Case kept the G188D 188-cubic-inch diesel and the dry-clutch mechanical shuttle drivetrain, but updated the loader geometry and operator station and bumped the hydraulic flow to 21 gpm on the loader/backhoe circuit. Power shuttle was offered on the heavier 580B but never on the 480B — that drivetrain change came to the 480-line with the 480C in 1976.

This guide covers the verified specifications, where to find the serial number, the engine and powertrain options including the G148B gas alternative, the failure modes 480B owners report most often, the parts we stock with confirmed 480B fitment, and how the 480B fits in the Construction King lineage between the 480CK predecessor and the 480C successor.

At-a-glance specifications

Where to find the serial number plate

The 480B carries its tractor serial on a stamped data plate riveted to the left side of the tractor frame rail, just behind or under the left loader tower near the clutch housing. On units with 50 years of grease accumulation the plate is often hard to read — wire-brush the area and shine a light up under the loader frame if it's not immediately visible.

Production years and serial numbers

Cross-referenced sources place Case 480B production from 1971 through 1976. Lectura Specs publishes the same window; TractorData carries the end date out to 1977 (likely tail-end deliveries before the 480C took over). The 480B replaced the 480CK in 1971 and was itself replaced by the 480C in 1976.

Engine and powertrain

The 480B was factory-available with two engine options:

• Case G188D diesel — 188 cu in (3.1 L), 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated, liquid-cooled, indirect injection. 41.5 HP gross / 37 HP net at 1,750 rpm. 133 lb-ft torque at 1,250 rpm. Bore 3.813 in × stroke 4.125 in. Roosa Master / Stanadyne DBG-series rotary injection pump. The G188D is the same engine carried over from the 480CK and the same one used on the 580B and 580CK, which is why most engine internals cross between all four machines.
• Case G148B gas — 148 cu in (2.4 L), 4-cylinder, 38.5 HP gross / 34 HP net at 1,750 rpm. 127 lb-ft torque at 1,200 rpm. Compression 7.1:1. This is the same 148 ci gas family used on the 480CK gas variant.

Two transmission options were offered, both synchronized mechanical shuttle driven through a single 11-inch (279 mm) dry clutch:

• 4F/4R synchronized mechanical shuttle
• 8F/8R synchronized mechanical shuttle — two-range overlay on the 4-speed

Loader and backhoe capacities

Common problems documented by owners

Drawing from long-running threads on TractorByNet, Yesterday's Tractors, Heavy Equipment Forums, JustAnswer, and Tractor Forum. Diagnose in order before replacing major components.

Mechanical shuttle clutch wear

The single 11-inch dry clutch is the most-replaced wear item on the 480B drivetrain. Symptoms include gear grinding on the F/R shuttle shift, slipping under load, and the pedal hitting the floorboard without releasing. On machines that have sat for extended periods, the disc can stick to the flywheel. Before splitting the tractor for a clutch job, inspect the rear engine main seal and the front transmission seal — oil contamination of the dry clutch from either leak is a frequent root cause. Pulling the shuttle for service typically requires removing the backhoe and its mounts first to access the input side.

G188D injection pump fade

The Roosa Master / Stanadyne DBG-series rotary injection pump on the G188D develops predictable failures: weeping internal seal kits, sticking delivery valves, and worn hydraulic head clearances that show up as starts-on-ether-only, white smoke at idle, stalling 15–20 minutes after warm-up, and weak power under load. Pump rebuilds typically include the R14711 seal kit and a delivery-valve replacement. Browse fuel system parts in the Case Backhoe Parts hub or in the 480 Backhoe Filters category.

External band brakes — sticking after sitting

The 480B uses external contracting band brakes on each rear axle (predecessor to the wet-disc system that came in with the 480C). After the machine sits, the bands will stick to the drums and the operator will report "no brakes" or "won't release." Diagnosis is usually adjustment and a careful pedal cycle to free the friction surfaces. Worn bands and rivetable linings are still consumables — replacement band sets and lining kits are listed in the parts table below. Brake band master and slave cylinder leakage is also common on machines that haven't been operated regularly.

Steering cylinder leak-down

The 480B uses a single power-steering cylinder. Symptoms: steering wheel drifts under load, fluid weeps at the rod end, fluid film on the cylinder body. Replacement seal kits exist but can be ambiguous to source from the part number stamped on the cylinder. A complete replacement steering cylinder that fits the 480CK / 480B / 580CK / 580B family is in stock — see the parts table.

Hydraulic pump access

The hydraulic pump location on the 480B is awkward. There are two access strategies — top-removal (remove the hood, radiator, grille support, and cover plate over the pump) or bottom-removal (drop the front axle). Most experienced owners recommend top-removal despite the extra disassembly time. Pump couplers and drive shafts are common replacement items whenever the pump comes out.

Front axle wear — kingpins, spindles, tie rod ends

2WD only — no driven front axle on the 480B. Kingpin kits, spindles, and tie rod ends are shared across the 430CK / 480CK / 480B / 530CK / 580CK / 580B family. Loader work loads accelerate kingpin wear, and loose wheel bearings are commonly mistaken for kingpin slop — confirm which is which before ordering.

Rear axle bull gear / final drive wear

The A168925 rear axle bull gear and A50997 ring-and-pinion are shared across the early CK / B family. Backhoe-side use puts heavy single-direction load cycles on the differential, and carrier bearings typically wear before the gearset itself. The CS-580B-RA-Kit bearing and seal package covers the bearings and seals that go out on this style of axle.

Cooling system age

Original radiators are now 50-plus years old and replacement is common. Other cooling consumables: water pump (separate units for G188D diesel vs. G148B gas), thermostat, hoses, and fan belt. A radiator that fits the family of Case backhoes without torque converter (which includes the 480B) is in stock.

Verified replacement parts

The following parts are in stock and confirmed to fit the 480B either by explicit description fitment or by inclusion in a 480B-specific category.

Browse by 480B-fit category

• Brakes — 430CK, 480CK, 480B, 530CK, 580CK, 580B
• Rear Axle & Differential — 480CK, 480B, 580CK, 580B
• Front Axle 2WD — 430CK, 480CK, 480B, 530CK, 580, 580CK, 580B
• Case 480 Backhoe Filters
• Case Backhoe Parts — full catalog

Maintenance schedule

Related Case Construction King models

The 480B sits between the 480CK predecessor and the 480C successor in the Case Construction King 480-series lineup. Engine and many drivetrain parts cross widely across the early B-series family; the 480C and later models introduced power shuttle, wet-disc brakes, and a 207-cubic-inch engine on the diesel side.

Frequently asked questions

What years was the Case 480B made?

1971 through 1976. Lectura Specs publishes the same window; TractorData carries the end date out to 1977 for tail-end deliveries. The 480B replaced the 480CK in 1971 and was itself replaced by the 480C in 1976.

What engine is in a Case 480B?

Two factory options. The diesel is the Case G188D — 188 cubic inches, 4-cylinder, 41.5 HP gross at 1,750 rpm. The gas alternative is the Case G148B — 148 cubic inches, 4-cylinder, 38.5 HP gross. Both engines share many parts with the 480CK, 580CK, and 580B.

Does the 480B have a power shuttle?

No. The 480B is dry-clutch and mechanical-shuttle only — 4F/4R or 8F/8R. Power shuttle did not arrive on the 480-line until the 480C in 1976. If your machine has a torque converter or hydraulic-pack shuttle, you have a 480C or later, not a 480B.

How deep does the 480B backhoe dig?

12 feet 4 inches with the standard backhoe attachment. The optional Extendahoe extends maximum dig depth to 15 feet 7 inches.

What is the loader lift capacity on a 480B?

2,600 pounds at full lift height (measured at the pivot pin), with 5,500 pounds of bucket breakout force.

Where is the serial number on a Case 480B?

Stamped on a data plate riveted to the left frame rail under the loader tower, near the clutch housing. The engine serial is stamped separately on the left side of the engine block below the cylinder head.

What parts cross between the 480B and the 580B?

Engine internals (the G188D is shared), clutch and mechanical shuttle components, brake bands and linings, rear axle bull gears and ring-and-pinion sets, front axle 2WD components, steering arms and spindles, and the hydraulic pump family. Loader and main frame components do not cross — the 580B is the heavier machine with different sheet metal and loader geometry.

Is the 480B the same as the 480C?

No. The 480C replaced the 480B in 1976 and brought several drivetrain changes: power shuttle as an option, wet-disc brakes replacing the external band brakes, an updated 188 / 207 ci engine family, and refined operator station. Many parts cross between the two but the drivetrain and brake systems are different.