Case CX160 Hydraulic Excavator: The Original 16-Ton CX-Series
The Case CX160 is the original 16-ton class entry in the CX excavator family, sitting between the CX145D SR and the later CX160B. It established the 16-ton platform for Case with a conventional tail-swing house, hydrostatic dual-path drive, and a load-sensing piston hydraulic system serving boom, dipper, bucket, swing, and propel.
Where the CX160 fits in the Case excavator line
The CX160 is a 16-ton class Original-generation excavator. It sits between the CX145D SR and the later CX160B in Case’s full-size excavator lineup, and it established the 16-ton platform that the B/C/D revisions later refined. The house uses a conventional tail-swing layout, the undercarriage is steel-track, and the operator station is the early CX cab with electrohydraulic joystick controls.
Case CX160 - Quick Specs
- Class
- 16-Ton Hydraulic Excavator
- Generation
- Original CX
- Engine
- Tier 2 Diesel
- Drivetrain
- Hydrostatic Dual-Path
- Undercarriage
- Steel Track
- Tail Swing
- Conventional
- Smaller Sibling
- Case CX145D SR
- Larger Sibling
- Case CX160B
Engine, hydraulics, and drivetrain
The CX160 runs a Tier 2 diesel through a hydrostatic dual-path drivetrain into a steel-track undercarriage. The main hydraulic pump - commonly a load-sensing piston pump - drives boom, dipper, bucket, swing, and propel circuits through electrohydraulic control valves. The swing system uses a dedicated swing motor with planetary reduction gear and a swing bearing carrying the upper house.
Cylinder bore and stroke vary with boom/dipper configuration, and seal kit fit depends on bore dimension - measure before ordering. The pin and bushing joints throughout the boom, dipper, and bucket assembly are standard service items and benefit from a strict greasing schedule.
Common service items on the CX160
- Engine internals: Pistons, rings, sleeves, head gaskets, bearings for the Tier 2 diesel.
- Fuel system: Injectors, lift pump, primary and secondary fuel filters with tight water-separator standards.
- Cooling system: Radiator, water pump, thermostat, fan, hoses, belts, charge-air cooler on turbo builds.
- Hydraulic system: Boom, dipper, bucket, and swing cylinder seal kits, main pump rebuild components, electrohydraulic control valves, hoses.
- Boom and dipper: Pin and bushing service at every joint, bucket pins, thumb attachment hardware, quick coupler service.
- Undercarriage: Steel track inspection and replacement, rollers, idlers, drive sprockets, recoil springs.
- Swing system: Swing motor and reduction gear service, swing bearing inspection, swing brake.
- Electrical / ECU: Engine ECU, instrument cluster, sensors, harnesses.
- Cab glass and wiper: Cross-fit Case/Link-Belt service items - KHN16820 24-inch wiper blade, KHN3046 front lower glass, and KHN2632 front upper glass.
- Operator station: Seat, joystick controls, pedal linkage, instrument panel, cab HVAC.
Parts we carry for the Case CX160
| Category | Common Parts | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Pistons, rings, sleeves, gaskets, bearings | Browse Engine |
| Fuel System | Injectors, lift pump, filters, water separators | Browse Fuel |
| Cooling | Radiator, water pump, charge-air cooler, hoses | Browse Cooling |
| Hydraulics | Main pump, swing motor, cylinders, seal kits, valves | Browse Hydraulics |
| Boom / Dipper | Pins, bushings, bucket and quick-coupler hardware | Browse Boom / Dipper |
| Undercarriage | Steel tracks, rollers, idlers, sprockets, recoil springs | Browse Undercarriage |
| Swing | Swing motor, reduction gear, swing bearing, swing brake | Browse Swing |
| Cab Glass / Wiper | KHN16820 wiper, KHN3046 lower glass, KHN2632 upper glass (Case/Link-Belt cross-fit) | KHN16820 Wiper Blade |
| Electrical / ECU | ECU, sensors, harness, instrument cluster | Browse Electrical |
| Operator Station | Seat, joysticks, pedal linkage, gauges, HVAC | Browse Operator Station |
Need a part for your Case CX160 Excavator?
Hydraulic pumps, swing motors, cylinder seal kits, and undercarriage are the highest-demand items on the CX160. Call our parts team with your serial number.
Request a PartWhat to verify before ordering
- Machine serial number. Confirm the serial on the CX160 before ordering year-specific parts.
- Engine serial. Engine internal parts must match the engine serial number.
- Hydraulic cylinder bore. Cylinder seal kit fit depends on bore dimension - measure before ordering.
- Main pump variant. Load-sensing piston pump part numbers can vary across the production run.
- Engine ECU calibration. Injectors and ECU sensors are calibrated to specific build years.
- Bucket and quick coupler. Quick-coupler interface varies - confirm before ordering attachment-side hardware.
- Undercarriage configuration. Track shoe width and roller arrangement vary by configuration.
Why the CX160 still earns a paycheck
The Case CX160 is a 16-ton class production excavator that handles general site work, utility installation, residential and commercial earthmoving, and light mining and quarry work depending on configuration. It was the machine that defined the 16-ton slot in the CX family, and units in good mechanical condition still hold their ground on a working site.
Maintenance priorities on a CX160: clean fuel with tight water separation for the injection system, hydraulic oil condition and filtration, swing-bearing lubrication, steel-track tension and undercarriage wear monitoring, and disciplined pin and bushing service across the boom and dipper. Broken Tractor maintains parts coverage across the Case CX excavator family, with strong inventory on hydraulics, undercarriage, and the cross-fit Case/Link-Belt cab glass that runs across these machines.
