Model Spotlight

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

Successor to the 480B, produced 1976 through 1980. Same Case G188D 188-cubic-inch diesel, offered in both mechanical shuttle and power shuttle drivetrains, and the era where Case began the transition from two-piece to one-piece hydraulic cylinder pistons. Here's the verified spec sheet, the failure modes owners report most often, and the parts with confirmed 480C fitment.

BT

Broken Tractor Editorial Team • Updated May 2026 • 10 min read

The Case 480C ran from 1976 through 1980 and is the direct successor to the 480B in the Construction King 480-series lineage. The engine carries forward from the 480B — the Case G188D 188 cubic-inch four-cylinder diesel — but the 480C generation introduces several drivetrain and chassis changes worth understanding before ordering parts. Both the synchronized mechanical shuttle and the power shuttle were offered as factory drivetrains, hydraulic cylinder piston design changed mid-production, and the brake system, while still hydraulically actuated, uses different service parts than the 480B band brakes.

This guide covers the verified specifications, where to find the serial number, the engine and drivetrain options, the critical G1 vs. G3 hydraulic piston identification protocol that determines which seal kits fit your machine, the failure modes 480C owners report most often, the parts we stock with confirmed 480C fitment, and how the 480C fits in the Case Construction King lineage.

At-a-glance specifications

Where to find the serial number plate

The 480C 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, ahead of the operator's platform near the clutch housing. The engine serial is stamped separately on the left side of the engine block below the cylinder head.

Production years

Case's own parts catalog dates the 480C from January 1976 through December 1980, which is the most authoritative source for production span. Some industry references document the model as a 1978–1979 model, which conflicts with the OEM catalog dating — the 1976–1980 dates are the right ones to use.

A Case-published primary-source year-by-serial-start table for the 480C is not in the open public record. Read the serial off the frame plate and confirm the build year through a Case dealer database before ordering anything tied to engine or transmission internals — mid-year running changes were common on this generation.

Engine and powertrain

The 480C is powered by the Case G188D — a 188 cubic-inch, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated, liquid-cooled, indirect-injection diesel. Bore 3.8125 in × stroke 4.125 in. Compression 17.5:1. Power was rated 48 HP gross / 43 HP net on 8-speed builds and 52 HP gross / 47 HP net on 4-speed builds. Fuel system is the Roosa Master / Stanadyne DB-series rotary injection pump that carries forward from the 480B. The same engine block carries over to the early 480D, so 188 ci overhaul kits and service parts cross between 480B, 480C, and 480D.

Two transmission families were offered factory:

• Synchronized mechanical shuttle — 4F/4R or 8F/8R, driven through a single 11-inch dry clutch. The continuation of the 480B drivetrain. Maintenance pattern is the same as the 480B — disc, pressure plate, release bearing, and synchronizers.
• Power shuttle — hydraulic forward/reverse clutch pack on a torque converter. Forward and reverse engagement is hydraulic rather than mechanical, with no foot-pedal clutch action required for shifts.

Power shuttle was an existing option carried forward from the 480B, but the 480C is the era where power shuttle became the more common factory configuration. The two drivetrains use entirely different service parts, so identify which you have before ordering — power shuttle units have a torque converter housing and shuttle control valve, mechanical shuttle units have a dry clutch pedal.

Loader and backhoe capacities

G1 vs. G3 hydraulic piston identification

The 480C straddles Case's production transition from two-piece (split) hydraulic cylinder pistons to one-piece pistons. Early-build 480Cs (1976 through early 1978) commonly carry two-piece pistons; late-build 480Cs (1979–1980) commonly carry one-piece pistons. Seal kits are not interchangeable between the two designs. Before ordering a seal kit, identify which piston style your cylinder has.

Common problems documented by owners

Diagnose in order before replacing major components.

Brake failures — the most-reported 480C complaint

The 480C brake system runs hydraulically actuated bonded discs inside drum-style housings. The most common failures: no pedal until the bottom of the stroke (master cylinder weeping), oil from the rear axle migrating into the brake housing through worn axle seals, brakes seizing after the machine sits because the internal ball-and-ramp expander rusts in place, and master or slave cylinder leakage. Service parts include the master cylinder, slave cylinder, brake bands, bonded discs, and the bearing/seal carrier plate that isolates the brake housing from the axle. Browse the dedicated 480C / 580C brake parts category.

Power shuttle forward clutch burn-up

On power-shuttle-equipped 480Cs, a frequent failure pattern is "drives in forward, dead in reverse" (or vice versa) caused by friction-disc burn-up in one direction's clutch pack. The burned friction material sheds into the transmission pan and can clog the suction strainer. Repair typically requires pulling the power shuttle for clutch pack replacement. The full power-shuttle rebuild kit and individual friction/steel disc replacements are in stock. Forward-side burn-up is more common than reverse on machines with loader-heavy duty cycles.

G188D engine fuel system fade

The Roosa Master / Stanadyne DB-series injection pump on the G188D develops predictable failures over time: weeping internal seal kits at the mounting flange, lift-pump diaphragm failure, sticking delivery valves, and worn hydraulic head clearances. Symptoms include hard starting (often requiring ether), white smoke at idle, stalling 15–20 minutes after warm-up, and weak power under load. The R14711 seal kit reseals the pump; complete rebuilt pumps are also in stock.

Hydraulic cylinder leakage — and the seal kit gotcha

On 40-plus-year-old cylinders, rod chrome flaking and seal weep are routine. The repair is straightforward except for the G1 / G3 piston identification described in section 6 — ordering the wrong seal kit for the piston style installed is the most common parts return on this model. Confirm the gland nut stamp before ordering. Swing, lift, bucket, dipper, and stabilizer seal kits for 480C-era cylinders are in stock.

Rear axle wear from brake-side oil contamination

When the brake-housing seal fails and rear axle oil migrates into the brake side, the differential bearings and spider gears run starved of lubrication. Symptoms: brake-side leakage is the warning sign; differential noise and play follow. Replacement spider gears, side gears, ring-and-pinion sets, and bearing/seal kits for the 480C / 480D / 580C / 580D rear axle family are stocked.

Steering cylinder leak-down

The 480C uses a hydraulic power-steering cylinder and a separate steering motor / pump assembly. Common failures: cylinder rod weep at the wiper seal, rod pitting from years of exposure, and steering motor internal wear. A complete replacement steering cylinder, hydraulic steering motor, and power-steering cylinder seal kit are all stocked.

Cooling system age

Original radiators on a 1976–1980 machine are now 45-plus years old. Recore or replacement is common. A direct-fit replacement radiator with the correct fan shroud for the 480C is in stock.

Verified replacement parts

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

Browse by 480C-fit category

• Brakes — 480C, 580C, 584C, 585C, 586C
• Hydraulic Cylinder Seal Kits — 480C, 480D, 480E, 480F
• Rear Axle & Differential — 480C, 480D, 580C, 580D
• Front Axle 2WD — 480C, 580C and family
• Case 480 Backhoe Filters
• Case Backhoe Parts — full catalog

Maintenance schedule

Related Case Construction King models

The 480C sits between the 480B predecessor and the 480D successor in the Construction King 480-series lineup. Many drivetrain parts cross with the 480B (mechanical-shuttle components) and the 480D (later refinements of the same architecture). The 580C is the heavier sibling produced over the same timeframe and uses the larger 207 ci diesel.

Frequently asked questions

What years was the Case 480C made?

1976 through 1980. Case's own parts catalog dates the model 1/76 through 12/80, which is the most authoritative source.

What engine is in a Case 480C?

The Case G188D — a 188 cubic-inch, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated diesel rated 48 HP gross (8-speed builds) or 52 HP gross (4-speed builds). The same engine carries forward from the 480B and into the early 480D.

Is the 480C engine 188 ci or 207 ci?

188 ci. The 207 ci diesel is the 580C engine — the 480C and 580C are siblings of the same generation but they use different displacement engines. Order G188D parts for the 480C.

Does the 480C have a power shuttle?

Both options were offered. Synchronized mechanical shuttle (4F/4R or 8F/8R with dry clutch) and power shuttle (hydraulic clutch pack with torque converter) were both factory configurations. Identify which drivetrain your machine has before ordering shuttle parts — they share almost no service parts.

How deep does the 480C backhoe dig?

11 feet 11 inches with the standard backhoe attachment, or 15 feet with the optional Extendahoe.

What is the G1 vs. G3 stamp on Case cylinders?

G3 marks a two-piece (split) piston, used on early-production 480Cs through about 1978. G1 marks a one-piece piston, used on late-production 480Cs from 1979 onward. Seal kits are not interchangeable between the two designs — read the gland nut stamp before ordering.

Does the 480C have wet-disc brakes?

No. The 480C uses a hydraulically actuated bonded disc inside a drum-style housing — closer to the 480B architecture than to the full multi-plate wet-disc system that arrived on later Case backhoe generations. Brake fluid type varies by build date; check your service manual against your serial before refilling.

Where is the serial number on a Case 480C?

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