I spent a day on the machine here is what I found out.
That machine is made in the Czech Republic (my geography is a little rusty but isn't that close to the guys that built the Yugo?) by Ammann.
The operators station sits on top of iso mounts. It works so well that you cant tell when the drums are vibrating.
The operators station is very clean. The engine is a Deutz, not over thrilled about that but the Kubota in my Vibramax has not been exactly trouble free either.
It packs a good punch. Very tight in roadbase material after only two passes (many variables I know).
It took a minute getting used to the turning radius. the nose is longer than I am used to. It reminded me of running an IH 2+2 if any others have run one your know what I mean. It is not that long, but longer than I am used to. The sight lines to the edge of the drums are very good.
I have not yet figured out the drive system. My Vibramax would run the front drum to go forward and rear drum to go back. This machine will sometimes use both or not. Makes no sense I know, it seems to use either front or back drums for both forward or back depending on resistance I guess. I will experiment with it more.
The dealer will let me keep it for a month gratus if I want it I keep it if not I can give it back. Pretty good deal. They were to appraise my Vibramax so when I see the numbers I will decide.
Overall, I am impressed on the refinement of the roller, the hydostat is responsive and exact, it just felt like a quality piece of equipment (hard to quantify it just felt well made). My roller is a 1997 so comparing the new one to that one may not be fair. Last year I rented an IR DD25 in fact I was soo fed up with the Vibramax at that time I would have bought it on the spot. I rented it for two days and was not impressed. Visibility sucks. You have to slide the seat side to side to see, the engine and cowling is huge on the IR which on a road project may be fine but not in residential and light commerical it is not practical. It seemed to compact fine but not near as comfortable to run as this machine. I kid you not, you can set a cup of water on the seat and I doubt you would see a ripple, the mounting on the operators station is that impressive.
If you have an opportunity to rent or run one I would recommend trying them.
My only reservation is with CASE's committment to this roller. I am hoping that if I buy it, two years from now they brand someone elses roller, and now I cant get support for it. Atleast this one says CASE on it which makes me feel better. I feel like I was left on the side of the road with the Vibramax deal (which I was).