Head to head
Case SR160B against JCB 215
The Case SR160B saves $2,390; the JCB 215 carries 511 lb more once both are rated the same way; the JCB 215 moves 0.1 GPM more through the auxiliary circuit.
| Spec | Case SR160B | JCB 215 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $42,000 | $44,390 |
| Rated capacity, as advertised | 1,600 lbs | 2,112 lbs |
| Rated at | 50% of tipping load | 50% of tipping load |
| Tipping load | 3,200 lbs | 4,222 lbs |
| Capacity at its class convention | 1,600 lbs | 2,111 lbs |
| Engine power | 60 hp | 74 hp |
| Engine | Perkins/ISM | JCB by Kohler 2.5L |
| Auxiliary flow | 18.4 GPM | 18.5 GPM |
| Lift height | 112 in | 118 in |
| Operating weight | 5,645 lbs | 7,253 lbs |
| Lift path | Radial Lift | Vertical Lift |
| Rubber tracks | No | No |
| High flow available | No | Yes |
| Enclosed cab available | Yes | Yes |
| Two-speed travel available | No | Yes |
| Self-levelling available | Yes | Yes |
| A/C and heat available | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 yr / 2,000 hr | 2 yr / 2,000 hr |
What owners say about each
Case SR160B
- At 5,645 lbs it's one of the lightest diesel skid steers sold, so owners tow it behind a half-ton pickup on a modest trailer without CDL-class equipment.
- The 59.8-inch width and 6-foot height let it slip through gates, barn doors, and backyard fences where even mid-frame machines can't follow.
- Case's B-series cab redesign trickled down to this base model, so you get the simple push-button start, intuitive switchgear, and optional 8-inch LCD display with backup camera that the bigger machines have.
- Radial lift geometry gives it honest digging and grading ability down low, and owners say it out-works its 60 hp rating on dirt and gravel jobs.
- The price undercuts comparable Bobcat and Cat small frames by a meaningful margin, making it a favorite first machine for budget-minded buyers.
- The mechanical simplicity of the small-frame B-series means less to go wrong, and owners report the Perkins-family engine is an easy, familiar service item.
- myCASEConstruction telematics with a 7-year data subscription comes included, which is unusual generosity at the entry price point.
- There's no two-speed option, and the 6.9 mph single travel speed makes ground-to-ground moves painfully slow on anything but a small lot.
- The 18.4 GPM standard flow with no high-flow option rules out hungry attachments like mulchers and cold planers entirely.
- Unlike the SR175B and SV185B, the SR160B's Tier 4 solution includes a DPF, so owners deal with regen cycles the rest of the small-frame B-series avoids.
- The 112-inch hinge pin and radial geometry make loading full-size dump trucks awkward - this is a trailer-height machine.
- The 1,600 lb capacity is quickly outgrown, and many owners admit they should have stretched to the SR175B or SV185B.
- Case's construction dealer network is thinner than Bobcat's or Deere's in many regions, so parts and service access depends heavily on where you live.
- Resale value trails the big three brands, offsetting some of the purchase-price savings at trade-in time.
JCB 215
- The single-arm PowerBoom eliminates the right-side loader arm, giving up to 60% better all-around visibility and far fewer blind spots in tight quarters.
- The 74 hp JCB by Kohler turbo diesel meets Tier 4 Final with no DPF or DEF, so there are no regen cycles and no emissions fluid costs.
- Vertical lift geometry with a 118-inch hinge pin loads trucks cleanly - strong reach at height for a small-platform machine.
- An 18.5 GPM standard circuit with a 30 GPM high-flow option runs a wide attachment range that small-frame rivals can't match.
- At 7,253 lbs it's light enough to tow behind a well-equipped three-quarter-ton pickup, unlike the heavier Teleskid and track models.
- JCB publishes a starting price of $44,390, which undercuts comparable vertical-lift machines from Bobcat and Cat while keeping the side door and the single-arm sightlines.
- The single-arm boom still meets skepticism from traditional buyers, and some avoid it on looks alone despite JCB's engineering record.
- JCB's compact-line dealer network is thinner than Bobcat's, Cat's, or Deere's in much of rural America, slowing parts and warranty work.
- The 2,112 lb rated capacity is midpack, and operators who regularly move heavy pallets will want the larger 270 or 300.
- The left-side door is the only entry, so parking tight against an obstacle on that side keeps you out of the cab.
- Wheels limit it on mud and soft ground where the 215T track version keeps working.
- Electro-hydraulic controls and electronics add complexity that's harder to field-diagnose than older pilot-control machines.
- The 18.5 GPM standard flow is only average, and hungry attachments require paying up for the high-flow option.