Case Minotaur Review

On today's Down & Dirty, Rick and I are reviewing ‪@Caseatwork‬ 's newest machine, the DL550 Minotaur! Thanks to Southeaster Equipment out of Novi, Michigan for supplying the machine.
For a high level overview of the machine, head over to ‪@EquipmentWorld‬ • Test Run of Case’s DL5...
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[@braylonjones6062]

Have been watching this machine since it made it’s debut years ago. One product manager was responsible for this effort from start to finish. I watched as changes were made despite what was first publicly revealed. The final product is a success. A previous commenter has already laid out what has always been on my mind. This is a 1 owner/operator machine. The thought of trusting anyone else to the controls makes me pucker. The machine replaces a d5, a dedicated forestry mulcher and a very high flow ctl. You don’t need a cdl to move it and attachments. A used freightliner m2 5yd dump with a decent trailer makes a complete package. Thanks for the honest review. You two dug deep. I’m going to watch from the sidelines for a few more years to see what changes may surface. Been waiting this long - what’s a little more time. Any follow-up reviews you all can share would be great.

[@DieselandIron]

I'm excited to see where they go with this machine. I feel like they just cracked the door open on the possibilities with this type of machine and I can't wait to see how it evolves. Assuming I can get my hands on the equipment, we intend to do some follow up videos.

[@sccolbert]

I've had two TV620B machines. One has 500hrs, the other had 80hrs when I sold it. They are junk that you can't keep running. The low hour one went thru FIVE fans in it's 80hrs. The fan blades shear off at the root and it grenades the whole fan and cooling pack. The final drive hard lines rub together and will burst at about 500hrs. To replace those lines, the whole engine and pump has to be removed. The machine is too heavy for the rubber tracks. They delaminate from the INSIDE of the track. We've been thru two sets of tracks in 500hrs. We lose boom-down function once every few days. The backup cameras and screens have failed. The engine tuning is junk. We burn about 8gal/hr at full load. My 350hp horizontal grinder only burns 10gal/hr. The only good thing about this machine is it's lifting power. It's a beast. But that means nothing if it's alway broken down.

[@DieselandIron]

Interesting feedback. Keep me posted if you don't mind. This is the first I've heard on the negative front (which is expected with how new these machines are). I'd like to follow some of the problem areas to see how these machines do over time.

[@sccolbert]

@@DieselandIron It really is too bad. Case could have had a real winner on their hands, but they totally sh*t the bed on the details.

[@rp1645]

@@sccolbert Run a ton of (450-C) Case Loader & Dozers back in the late 70s. On one mainline Sewer job, we had an (850-C) front loader running pea gravel to a BUCYRUS-ERIE 350-H excavator. The job was through easements so the track loader was what company used instead of the Rubber tired Loader, the (850-C) Case was very fast. We had a 125 international and a CAT. 931 on Job. The Case ran circles around those other two. We used the Dozer Case (450-C) on compaction and filled work on some of the ditches. I'm just saying if Case had stuck with Dozer frame for front Loader, like the (450-C) instead of the skid steer Design. I think there would not have been so many problems. Just me, in my Humble opinion It seems the company is wanting to Load everything on these skid steers. They are already making the assembly on the factory line. I hope they fix the problem. I just wonder if owners are pushing the machine more than its work force. Being that they are saying it's a Dozer. I'm old school, when all manufacturers made a small Dozer. It's probably the cost of tooling up to build that small Dozer frame again

[@MrSwitch1934]

Very in depth review. Thanks guys keep up the good work.

[@KPVFarmer]

Thanks for the great deep dive on the Doster!!!

[@DieselandIron]

Any time!

[@michaelstrunk7820]

amazing machine got to use the demo model with the steel tracks for a week on a small lake that i just dug,can move some serious dirt for a small machine.

[@waynevincent5448]

Great review, about as honest as it gets. Really like to see this running with some form of machine control, see if it negates the initial "porpoising" that all CTL's with a dozer blade seem to have due to the short track-base. Every Deere 333 G I've seen with machine control with a blade seems to fight itself way too much, I think it is just a matter of flow and pressure not being correct. Ditto with Cat. Still keeping in mind that the DL550 is still in it's infancy, nevertheless I tip my hat to Case for making the huge investment in this machine.

[@DieselandIron]

I'm very curious to see how the machine performs with machine control. Hopefully I'll get the opportunity to test that at some point with all of the connections we've made. I've been told that the machine really sings with machine control but I have to see it for myself before I really put that out there.

[@timbodnar6711]

I just dropped some freight off at the Case Wichita plant. They had one of these with steel tracks a ripper on the back and the blade on the front. I don't know that I've seen something that size looked that impressive.

[@DieselandIron]

It's a very unique machine. It was a lot of fun to run.

[@liljj2221]

What a great video fellas! I appreciate your detail, intuitiveness and overall depth! As an operator of 15+ years of experience I am currently in the Market to purchase one of these. I am extremely curious how you guys got the Machine in all Black? Is this an available option from the factory? My sales rep did not mention this when we recently discussed purchase. Thanks!

[@DieselandIron]

I appreciate the feedback! I believe this is a custom paint scheme that you can get from the factory but it would be special order. That being said, I don't know that for a fact.

[@burtbrooks7731]

I want the one with the steel tracks

[@rfair123]

It's a cool machine, but for the money no need to compromise, just buy a good skid steer and dozer.

[@KPVFarmer]

$215k!!! Wow! A good used dozer, and a brand new CTL would still be within that price point! Am I wrong?

[@morgansword]

I'm sure that by now, someone has given this machine my point of values. I see the machine in the hands of a one man band who does have say one grunt on the job with him. That grunt would be able to drive a dump truck, and use the machine maybe just as well as say the owner. Given time, I see a backhoe attachment, a proper winch attachment, a grader attachment, and other attachments like a mulcher head. Then say a guy gets a job clearing ground and there is good timber on it. There is where the highflow comes out to shine with a hydrosaw so they can buck a tree up to lengths easy for someone with a selfloader can haul the timber away. Their own dump truck would have the ability to haul the gravel for the haul road, the trailer could be a universal enough trailer to load most small loads of timber as well. So to round up a part of a job so far, their truck and trailer would bring this machine and its attachments to the site. With this two man team, they are able to clear, haul in material from say a borrow pit, haul gravel from the local dump sites around. It would also be able to haul overburden off and back haul gravel or road base. It could remove stumps and clear small ground sites for small farm sites or just making a place for a subdivision. I can as you can name everything it is possible to do but mostly talking to the choir now. Other folk reading my comment though might just recognize this as a whole new line of possibilities. A small almost considered hobby miner could do some considerable work with it to get out ore for because here in Alaska, I know of several mines that if they just had a machine like this!!!

[@DieselandIron]

Rick and I have been working on Case to give us a couple machines to prove this exact concept. Go take a 40-60 acre parcel of wooded land and prep it for a subdivision using only two of these machines with a variety of attachments. You could bring in an excavator for pipe installation but all of the pipe support would be handled by the Minotaur. The versatility of this machine is what people struggle to grasp and what your comment nails on the head.

[@RenoMakani]

Quick question guys ? I’ve got a 2021 CASE 650M LT that I purchased during the pandemic and it’s been an incredible machine. Its Max Drawbar pull is around 39,000. In comparison to the Minotaur, with the 25,800. So my question is will this machine I’ll perform my dozer when it comes to dozer capability ? Thanks & Aloha from Hawai’i

[@DieselandIron]

Your dozer will still out dozer the DL550. What this machine brings to the table is the versatility of being a dozer and a monster skid. The learning curve is pretty steep on this machine

[@Redpitbull44]

B series skid steers have an engine driven fan. No reversal. They push air through the radiator from the inside towards the rear.

[@DieselandIron]

Thanks for that brother!

[@Null4eva]

215k for this with the ripper....or a almost new D2 and a big skid steer. I prefer not to have all my eggs in one basket dropping all your cash on a single new machine just to have it break down and the entire job site comes to a halt . Plus machines that try to do everything can't do anything well.

[@DieselandIron]

This machine, fully outfitted, runs around $160k, our initial number was a little off. As far as the rest of your comment, don't knock it till you try it.

[@nathanrichardson1351]

Decided to take a shot for every "Flash to B roll" mention. Made it 14 minutes.

[@DieselandIron]

A lot of effort goes into collecting that B-roll! That's why it's important to mention B-roll whenever possible. It also makes you feel like a film professional when you say B-roll. Did you like the B-roll? B-roll....

[@Someonesdream]

I can tell you that the price you referenced, is not what every dealer is selling them for. Your referenced thoughts on price are much closer to where a couple of local dealers to me are quoting me at the moment, without ripper, with steel tracks. you guys mention the grouser option for the rubber tracks...I'm assuming you are talking the ones that you bolt onto a rubber track to give a bit more traction?

[@DieselandIron]

We have heard that pricing is falling more around the $170-200k mark. You are correct, Rick was referencing the bolt on grousers for rubber tracks. I don't know that I would recommend them on this machine.

[@dustyroads834]

It’s my opinion that you will get twice the usable life out of the steel tracks over the rubber.

[@alexjames943]

Good day sir... Do you remember Alex James the guy that always ask for advice whenever I am confused.... I'm here today to thank you for everything but the advice you gave me.... It really helped me...... I'm here to tell you that I have finished my apprenticeship program.... You are the best....🥺🥺😥 But now I just don't know where to start

[@DieselandIron]

I do remember and I'm glad to hear you made it though your apprenticeship program. Are you in the union or did you go through a trade school?

[@alexjames943]

Some of my mate ..... Travel to work abroad.... Australia ,Canada ,Finland,UK because the pay here is too small...I didn't come from a rich family like them....I have try my best... Because it have been your advice that made me go this far... that's why I don't know what to do now😥😥.... sir please....I don't like saying my problems here..... If I can talk with you anytime I need someone to talk to...this channel is my home.... you are my mentor💪💪

[@DieselandIron]

@@alexjames943 shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@digginandbuildinwv7012]

I wonder how it would do in shale? Here in eastern WV i dont see that fluffy dirt like in your video. That would be my main concern .

[@DieselandIron]

I think this machine would struggle about as much as a traditional dozer would in shale. The one big advantage the dozer would have over this machine is weight. Due to it being a smaller machine you don't have the weight to keep that blade down to cut into the shale.

[@digginandbuildinwv7012]

@@DieselandIron agreed

[@hvguy]

What they won't tell you is that it has the same underpowered unreliable Kubota v3800 that the cat 299d3, and the Kubota svl95 uses. Cool machine but why did they go with zero operator visibility on those arms? Great for stopping bullets I guess.

[@DieselandIron]

I don't know where you are getting your information. This has a FPT motor in it.

[@ericgoolsby2171]

Only problem is, you can't get one for 6-8 months. Tried to offer my local dealer straight cash last Thursday and he said I'd be lucky to get it by Spring.

[@snowblowerman5115]

6 to 8 months ain't long at all compared to waits at some company's. We are waiting a year and half to get a machine from ditch witch

[@DieselandIron]

With the current equipment shortage, 6 to 8 months isn't that long at all

[@snowblowerman5115]

@@DieselandIron yep many companies are over a year. Got a new mini excavator that's a year out too. Only 6 months would make me so happy.

[@scottmcquarrie7295]

Everyone is talking about the dozer capabilities of this machine, all well and good. I bet with the locked in forward/reverse lever and the steel tracks, this is going to be one heck of a Loader. The lack of visibility to the blade is a major concern to me though. I honestly believe they should have taken a 750 or 850 case Dozer and mount loader arms and a quick coupler with a 6 way blade to different buckets and forks and Case would have been better off.

[@DieselandIron]

@@scottmcquarrie7295 it definitely starts to have the feel of a larger track loader. It really pushes with the bucket full of material

[@nickthrane4940]

Beastly unit! What engine is in it and parts availability? Isn't it an Italian diesel engine?

[@DieselandIron]

It is an Iveco engine and yes, parts are available. I want to say it's the same engine that is in the 580SN and a few other machines but don't quote me on that....

[@doolittlegeorge]

Compact design is both solution and a problem. Looks great for tight spaces but then once all of that aggregate is effectively right above your head trying to keep spillage from rattling around/raining down on the operators compartment looks like a very serious safety issue for the bucket design. As for the blade looks really nice though plus the ripper. Not cheap. Sounds like still a lot of engineering work needs doing from the comment below. If that gets "ironed" out on the production line I'm sure this will come in handy for any construction operation of some scale or waste management. As for aggregate work looks like a really bad idea. Logging work with steel tracks could be interesting tho. Trying out all of these types of operations might be of interest to your viewers. I think 75 horsepower means no def fluid needed for these machines but not an expert on that either. Kubota has definitely picked up their game with John Deere making a lot of noise going on forever now. JCB made in Pooler, Georgia a different take on all of this as well for a very long time now.

[@greghenderson755]

I Live near the case proving grounds in Tomahawk Wi. Quite the place....

[@DieselandIron]

It's beautiful up there when you finally arrive!😂

[@ernestrhoades5147]

First off it needs a differant blade , a semi U blade would help it out, i have watched it operate from several places.

[@DieselandIron]

I think the blade performed just fine.

[@cmthomasiii8461]

That being said really says it all

[@DieselandIron]

It's such a handy phrase we decided to use it whenever we can! That being said.....thanks for the comment!😂

[@ral3178]

A new d1 and a 249d3 for the same money

[@DieselandIron]

They won't look as cool though...

[@ChronicBongitis420]

It's not a skid-steer it's not related to a skid-steer. skid steers have tires not tracks. It looks to be the chassis body and engine from the New Holland c362 track loader

[@DieselandIron]

Thank you for the armchair operator correction. The channel is better for it. The TV620 was developed alongside the DL550 since Case was already developing the larger frame. The C362 is just the rebranded TV620 for the New Holland side.

[@stanleynowak9325]

Fresh and dirty, that's my kind of woman!

[@DieselandIron]

😂

[@Chris-jg3cl]

Just played around with one at equip expo and the product line manager told me msrp on it loaded with steel tracks and ripper was right at 200k I also agree with you that the bucket controls were way too sensitive

[@DieselandIron]

They are spendy units!

[@rearspeaker6364]

thats 3 skidloaders!

[@stuartofJax]

From another channel I follow Case has a boatload of settings you can adjust. I’m sure you can fine tune this to your liking.

[@maskypyro1609]

i still wanna know how this machine compairs to a takahuchi TL12V2

[@DieselandIron]

I don't have any real seat time in a TL12V2 so I can't say unfortunately

[@maskypyro1609]

@@DieselandIron if you do let me know lol, ive been lookkng at the sizes and its roughly the same but idk about its pushing forces and all that with the rubber tracks

[@joedoakes8307]

What is the fully equipped price ?

[@DieselandIron]

$160-200k

[@StefanBacon]

pretty excited for this review and I don't even like Case.

[@DieselandIron]

It was a hell of a machine to run!

[@carlosbutler7811]

This machine is a Godzilla on steroids I like it

[@DieselandIron]

It's pretty impressive!

[@leepadgett4144]

Track loaders ROC is measured at 35% of tipping load not 50% which would make the ROC 3,850. That's about inline with everyone else but that machine weighs about 5,000 to 8,000 lbs more than all of them.

[@DieselandIron]

Fair enough but all of those other machines don't have the capabilities of this machine.

[@bradkaberline5828]

What would be the point of having a so called skidloader or compact loader the size of a D4 or D5??? At that point I just get a 953 with 4in1 bucket man. Be like hey get the skidloader in this tight spot oh shit it's to big to fit in the tight spot lol wtf man. Makes no sense

[@DieselandIron]

This machine has way more capabilities than a skid with a 4in1 bucket. You can't shape slopes and contour ground in tight areas with a 4in1 bucket.

[@digginandbuildinwv7012]

It's meant to give an owner the option to purchase 1 machine instead of multiple. Ctls already are very versatile, forestry mulching, loader, now dozer, snow plowing, fence post driving, the list goes on and on, you can't do any of that with a 953. If they can make a backhoe attachment that can be operated in cab like cats bh130 that fits 289/299 that would be even cooler. I have a tr340b and am using it more and more as time goes. However I don't think I'd want to get rid of my new d3 and replace it with this.😮

[@bradkaberline5828]

@@digginandbuildinwv7012 yes and the option or have to turn down smaller jobs if you can't get the loader in a yard or grade work such as sidewalks driveways ect and for the bigger jobs a 963 or 53 with rippers and 4in1 bucket works get a mid sized uniloader amd a bigger track loader for the bigger jobs that's just my opinion great looking machine I'll never have the money for one

[@derekdreke4990]

God this thing is such a monster

[@DieselandIron]

It's an incredible machine!

[@texanwd8387]

Limited the market at that price , but cool machine (great idea for a smaller version)

[@DieselandIron]

That's exactly what we thought. At that price point you are really limiting yourself.

[@bradkaberline5828]

So is it or is it not a skidloader??? Shit man you can comfortly load trucks with a Caterpillar 325 or 953 or 950 but the 420 is a better choice than the 580

[@DieselandIron]

A 420 over a 580? You lost me there

[@bradkaberline5828]

@@DieselandIron say what man come on diesel and iron what a Caterpillar 416 or 420 the case 580

[@digginandbuildinwv7012]

I got a new 420xe bh, it's a pretty nice machine, I previously had case 590sn, I like the cat better, I've owned alot of case and cat machines

[@bradkaberline5828]

@@digginandbuildinwv7012 the 416B and c models were good rubber tire backhoe the 580 gets the job done but light in the front end the cat 420 and JD 310 or 410G were good as well

[@bradkaberline5828]

@@digginandbuildinwv7012 the 416B and c models had different extendahoe dippers the 420 I believe the changed it up the older 416series1and 2 was basically a ol case ck or e series by looks

[@rodd8125]

I don't think they understand the difference between vertical and radius lift.

[@DieselandIron]

Vertical lift machines have the complex linkage towards the back of the boom arms that allow the bucket to stay a constant distance from the cab as you boom up and down. The advantage is a higher hinge pin a full extension. Radial lift machines have a main anchor pin at the back of the boom arms and the boom cylinders lift the boom arms up. As a result the bucket will swing away from the machine as you raise the boom arms until you get half to 3/4 of the way up and then the buckets starts to swing back towards the machine. These machines are good for loading and unloading materials off of flatbed trailers because you get a little more forward reach out of the machine.

[@rodd8125]

@@DieselandIron I see what you mean. When you said radial lift swings away, you mean initially, not on the upper portion when it comes back at you. This is annoying when loading trucks and you get dirt falling back on the cab.

[@alphonsotate2982]

HA HA HA the price very interesting ouch😄😝

[@DieselandIron]

It'll pucker you right up

[@matthennemann9769]

I think your friend paid too much.

[@Elswick17]

I can’t believe Case put money into r&d on this vs making their skids better. Gonna be a huge flop I believe lol

[@DieselandIron]

Time will tell

[@rontopping2048]

Case needs to work on visibility to cutting edge . Has the worst front door on the market. Also arms to close to cab reducing visibility.

[@user-yg5uq5hd3t]

,6

[@schmatzek1]

Man sitzt in den Dingern einfach zu tief.

[@skliros9235]

Too much talking. Show it in Action

[@DieselandIron]

It's a review...

[@zfilmmaker]

Makes absolutely no sense to buy a DL550 with rubber track. All the reviews cover the same topics…no new info here. Put bolt on teeth on the blade and use it like a mini crawler loader. Nobody does that.

[@DieselandIron]

Rubber tracks would absolutely make sense if you were a landscape contractor or someone who did a lot of work on paved surfaces. The rubber tracks bite harder than the triple grousers.

[@samuelw.3992]

Minotaur doesn’t sound mean. Lol

[@DieselandIron]

What would you have picked?

[@boomerang379]

I can’t take anyone seriously who wears a hat with a factory flat bill. That guy might as well not even be talking.

[@DieselandIron]

Of all the things to stop and comment, this is what you came up with?

[@ldero9520]

Please, remove your sunglasses...

[@DieselandIron]

Are you wanting to gaze deep within my eyes?