Model Spotlight

Case 580K Construction King Backhoe Loader: Specs, Parts & Common Issues

Produced 1987 – 1994, the 580K is the naturally aspirated K-generation Construction King — Cummins 4-390 four-cylinder diesel, approximately 65 HP, and the introduction of wet-disc brakes to the small-frame Case backhoe line. Critically, the 580K splits into Phase I and Phase III drivetrain configurations at serial JJG0020000 — the most important parts-ordering distinction on the machine. Our most-active backhoe in service-parts traffic.

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Broken Tractor Editorial Team• Updated May 2026• 12 min read

The Case 580K is the K-generation Construction King backhoe loader in naturally aspirated form. It came to market in 1987, replacing the 580 Super E, and ran through 1994. The 580K introduced the Cummins 4-390 — a four-cylinder, 3.9 liter direct-injection diesel rated at approximately 65 HP — and brought the wet-disc multi-plate brake architecture into the small-frame Case backhoe line for the first time. The 580K's stablemate during this run was the turbocharged 580 Super K, which carries the Cummins 4T-390 turbocharged variant of the same engine.

For owners maintaining a 580K today, the single most important fact is the production-split at serial number JJG0020000. Machines built before that serial are "Phase I" and use one set of drivetrain components; machines built after are "Phase III" and use a different set. The brake master cylinder, hydraulic pump, filter kit, transmission disc, and several other major service items differ between Phase I and Phase III. Confirming serial number before ordering is essential — the wrong-phase parts simply will not fit.

At-a-glance specifications

Phase I vs Phase III — the defining 580K split

The 580K production run was divided into Phase I and Phase III at serial number JJG0020000. Case made substantial drivetrain and component updates at that break — major enough that several service parts have completely different part numbers between the two phases. The most important Phase I vs Phase III differences:

The Phase III 580K is mechanically very close to the 580 Super K. Many parts that cross-fit the Super K also work on Phase III 580Ks but NOT on Phase I 580Ks. This is reflected in our catalog: parts labeled "580K III" or "580K after JJG0020000" generally interchange with Super K parts.

How the 580K differs from the 580 Super K

The 580K and 580 Super K share their chassis, transmission architecture, axles, brakes, hydraulics, and most loader and backhoe iron. The differences:

• Engine — 580K uses the naturally aspirated Cummins 4-390 (~65 HP); 580 Super K uses the turbocharged 4T-390 (~75 HP).
• Turbocharger — only on the Super K. Adds a wastegated turbo, intercooling on some configurations, and modified exhaust plumbing.
• Muffler — A184237 muffler is labeled "Non-Turbo (580K, 580 Super K)" — but here "580 Super K" refers to certain non-turbo Super K configurations or service variants. The Super K with turbo uses different exhaust hardware.
• Filter kits — CS-580SK-FK is the Super K filter set; CS-580KIII-FK is the 580K Phase III set. These differ because of the turbo's filtration requirements.
• Power output — Super K approximately 10 HP higher with substantially more low-end torque under load.
• Cooling capacity — slightly larger cooling system on the Super K.

Many parts cross between 580K Phase III and Super K because of the shared chassis. Parts labeled "580K, 580 Super K" in our catalog generally fit both, with the caveat that some are Phase III-specific on the 580K side.

Cummins 4-390 engine

The Cummins 4-390 (also known as the 4BT 3.9L) is the K-generation engine that replaced the Case G207 family used on the 580D / 580 Super D and the 580E / 580 Super E. The 4-390 is a 239 cubic inch (3.9 L) four-cylinder direct-injection diesel that became one of the most widely used industrial small-block engines in the world — the same engine family powers everything from Dodge Ram pickups (the 4BT was the smaller sibling of the famous 5.9L 6BT Cummins) to construction equipment, generators, marine pumps, and military vehicles.

That broad parts ecosystem is one of the most useful single facts about the 580K's engine. Pistons, rings, bearings, head gasket sets, water pumps, oil pumps, fuel system components, and many valve train items source readily through Cummins 4BT service channels in addition to Case-branded parts. The 580K is in many ways the easiest Case backhoe engine to service today because of this Cummins lineage.

Wet-disc brakes — the K-generation upgrade

The most significant chassis change at the 580K vs. the earlier 580E / Super E was the introduction of wet-disc multi-plate brakes. Wet-disc brakes run the friction plates submerged in the rear-end transaxle oil — they are essentially maintenance-free for the life of the disc pack, last substantially longer than the bonded-disc system used on the 580D and dry-disc systems before that, and provide more consistent braking performance regardless of conditions.

The 1995361C1 brake plate piston in our catalog is labeled "580K III, 580 Super K, 590 Turbo" — confirming the wet-disc architecture is shared across Phase III 580Ks, Super Ks, and the larger-frame 590 Turbo. The Phase I 580K used a similar but distinct earlier brake configuration (hence the D141779 Phase I brake master cylinder).

When wet-disc brakes finally do wear out — typically beyond 6,000–8,000 hours of hard service — the symptom is gradual loss of brake pedal pressure, sometimes with metal flake in the rear-end oil. The A188412 brake disc and 1995365C1 brake backing plate are the verified replacement components for the Phase III / Super K wet-disc system.

Power shuttle transmission

The 580K uses Case's four-speed Power Shuttle transmission with single-stage torque converter, similar in architecture to the earlier 580 series but with refinements for the higher Cummins engine output. Phase I and Phase III use different internal components — most notably the transmission discs (A188946 metallic disc is Phase III after JJG0020000) and the 1st gear (A153751 47-tooth for 480C / 580E / 580K Phase I).

Common service items: hydraulically actuated clutch packs wear with age, the shuttle control valve gets sticky, and the torque converter charge pump weakens over time. The CS-580K1-TRAXL-R rebuilt transaxle covers Early 580Ks (Phase I); the CS-580SK-TRAXL-R covers Phase III and Super K. Confirm phase before ordering.

Verified top-selling 580K parts

The parts table below leads with the items our 580K customers actually buy, ranked by 12-month sales volume. The 580K is our single most-active backhoe in parts traffic — over 1,200 units sold across the 580K + Super K family in the last year, totaling more than $335,000 in revenue. Every part links to its product page on brokentractor.com.

For a full Case 580K parts inventory beyond the top-sellers above, browse the Case backhoe loader parts hub or contact our parts team for serial-number-specific verification.

Common issues and what to expect

Cummins 4-390 engine wear

The Cummins 4BT block is durable, with broad service-parts availability through both Case sources and Cummins B-series channels. Common items on 30-plus-year-old engines: head gasket failure (typically between cylinders or at the deck), injector wear (causes hard starting and rough running), fuel lift pump diaphragm failure, and water pump shaft bearing wear. Engine parts are widely available.

Phase I vs Phase III parts ordering

The single most common parts-ordering mistake on a 580K is ordering the wrong-phase part. Phase I parts will not fit Phase III machines and vice versa for the major drivetrain and hydraulic components. Always confirm serial number against the JJG0020000 split.

Hydraulic pump wear

Both Phase I (D140801) and Phase III (D146608) hydraulic pumps wear over time. Symptoms: lazy boom and dipper, weak stabilizers, longer cycle times under load.

Wet-disc brake wear

After 6,000–8,000 hours of hard service, wet-disc brakes wear out. The 1995361C1 brake plate piston and matching service components are the verified replacements for Phase III. Phase I uses a different brake architecture with the D141779 master cylinder as the most common service item.

Cooling system service

Original radiator cores (A172038) corrode internally over 30-plus years. The D127774 / D127775 radiator hose pair is one of the most-replaced cooling system items. Replace the hydraulic oil cooler (A184542) at the same time.

4WD front axle and king pin wear

The 710103 4WD king pin kit is a high-volume seller — Carraro 4WD front axles see heavy steering loads under loader work. King pin wear shows up as steering slop and front-end wander. The CFA580K-4 complete rebuilt 4WD axle is the cost-effective fix when the original axle is past piecemeal rebuild.

Power shuttle clutch wear

The 4-speed Power Shuttle clutch packs wear with age. The A188946 Phase III metallic transmission disc is one of our highest-volume 580K service items — 137 units sold over the last 12 months. Phase I machines use a different disc configuration; the CS-580K1-TRAXL-R complete rebuilt transaxle covers Phase I rebuilds.

Where the 580K sits in the Construction King family

The 580K is the K-generation Construction King small-frame backhoe loader in naturally aspirated form. Above it in the K generation sat the turbocharged 580 Super K and the larger-frame 590 Turbo. Before the 580K came the 580E and 580 Super E (Cummins 4-390 / 4T-390, bonded-disc brakes). After the 580K came the 580L and 580 Super L (1995–2000), which carried the 4-390 / 4T-390 engine forward with refined hydraulics and a redesigned cab. The K generation's introduction of wet-disc brakes (on Phase III) marked the most significant chassis upgrade since the original Construction King naming was applied.