Case IH Farmall 95A on test

The Farmall 95A is one of six models in the Case IH Farmall A series which stretches from 65hp to 115hp. There are two models above the 95A and three below it.

Case IH has several different series tractors to choose from around this power category. The Turkish-assembled Case IH Farmall 95A is among the lower specified options available. It slots in just below the Farmall U in terms of specification, with the Farmall U Pro and Maxxum series being the next two steps above it.

The Case IH Farmall A series was introduced relatively recently as a replacement for the JX series. It has evolved to incorporate a more modern cab and controls. It also offers a forward/reverse power-shuttle as an option.

Case IH sales manager for Ireland Sean Byrne said that the Farmall A series is assembled in Turkey with a Turkish-built cab. The skid unit, incorporating everything from the lift arms right through to the front weight, though, is built at CNH’s Jesi factory in Italy.

Having looked at a number of Turkish-built tractors recently, we were keen to find out what the end product would be like when you combined mainstream manufacturers with Turkish engineering and manufacturing.

Looks that impress

My first impression is that the Farmall 95A looks really well with some very nice bonnet styling and side panels. The Turkish-built cab is one we have grown used to with some clever placing of pillars to give relatively wide yet functional doors. The curved corner windows maximise side and corner visibility.

The cab interior is a big change from the JX series. The clutch and brake pedals have been moved out of the floor to the more modern pendulum design.

The interior design and construction of the cab was very surprising – surprisingly good, that is. The interior is very well finished and made of a type of softish but hard wearing composite rubber-like plastic.

For me, the quality of finish is reminiscent of the Steyr-based Case IH CS series. It’s a refreshing change from the poor looking and often poor fitting plastics that so many use.

The controls seemed well laid out, as did the vents for the heating/ventilation system – important for our wet climate. There were plenty of storage spaces for the usual bits farmers tend to carry or require on a tractor of this type.

A pleasant analogue dash displayed just what was needed – engine rpm, engine temperature and fuel level. Overall, the interior and control layout seemed just right and would be assessed over the days of our test.

Our test tractor was the slightly higher specification Farmall A and came with forward/reverse power-shuttle and Vision Pack. The latter includes high visibility roof panel, telescopic mirrors, rear wiper and two additional rear work lamps. Sadly, while air-conditioning is available, our tractor was not ordered with it.

specifications

The Farmall 95 A is powered by a FPT-Fiat Power-Train, four-cylinder turbo-charged and intercooled engine which develops 95hp at 2,500rpm, according to the manufacturer. Maximum torque is quoted at 390Nm at 1,300rpm.

Transmission options are a 12 forward/12 reverse unit, either with mechanical shuttle or clutchless powershuttle. A creeper option brings the number of gears to 20/20.

Case IH uses a dual-dry clutch in the mechanical shuttle version. There is a servo-operated single clutch used in powershuttle versions to operate the independent pto. The main transmission clutch in powershuttle versions is oil immersed and housed within the main transmission. Two gear sticks on the right provide three ranges and four speeds while the shuttle lever is placed to the left under the steering wheel.

Lift controls are an all mechanical affair with levers for draft and position control, plus Fiat’s simple lift-o-matic lift control. Our tractor came with two double-acting spool valves; three are available. Lift capacity is quoted at 3,565kg and oil flow for hydraulic services was quoted at 50 litres/minute.

Four-wheel-drive and the differential lock are both selected by a switch while a small lever operates the pto through a cable to valve chest. Pto speed options are 540/1,000rpm or 540/540E. Our tractor was sensibly ordered with the latter.

cab and hitch

Once in work we found that the cab access to be good. The doors are wide, while not too wide and unwieldy. Seating position seemed good and, though not equipped with the optional air seat, it was comfortable through our test.

This size and type of tractor will likely be fitted with a loader. While ours wasn’t, it still got plenty of use over the few days we had it. The manufacturer quotes an oil flow for hydraulic services of 50 litres/minute, which is reasonable but is hardly good enough for decent loader speed. We consider that closer to 60 litres/minute would be more desirable.

With the sun shining there was lots to do – hay to ted and row up, plus bales to bring in and that was what we put the Farmhall 95 to work at.

The Farmall 95A was yoked to the six-metre Lely Lotus tedder and rake. This machine is a good test of handling ability for any tractor of this size. Our tractor was equipped with optional lower link category II hook ends and top-link hook end. External lift control was the annoying but safe ratcheting type control.

Handling and using the Lely was no problem for the Farmhall 95A. We set it to work in the 540E speed pto and, happily, it did all it was asked while just sipping from its 110-litre fuel tank.

The lift-o-matic three-point linkage controls were very handy for raising/lowering the tractor’s arms without upsetting the work settings. This is an old, yet simple and effective mechanical system.

Visibility was excellent, aided by two telescopic mirrors and an internal mirror. We had no complaints tedding and rowing up, except for the lack of air-conditioning.

Both rear corner windows opened for some extra ventilation. This was welcome on some of the hotter days, in conjunction with the heater blowers blowing copious amounts of ‘neutral’ air. Ample lights front, rear and on the bonnet corners should provide suitable illumination for most tasks during the dark winter months. The indicator stalk was located under the forward reverse shuttle lever. It was badly angled for use, making it difficult to cancel indicators without selecting the opposite direction.

There was no complaint about manoeuvrability but when finished tedding and rowing, hitching a trailer was no easy task. The pick-up hitch does not swing back or telescope out so it required best guess yoking, lining the hook up with eye before dropping the hitch and estimating how far to reverse back.

Case IH’s Sean Byrne said that a telescopic pick-up hitch will be available shortly. But, unfortunately, it will not be coming from our own Dromone Engineering.

With a full load on-board, the Farmall performed nicely. Its four-pot engine provided loads of power and torque (as the Dyno test would confirm later). Gear changes were a bit notchy but I would expect these to free up with time and use.

Braking took a little effort but, again, I would expect the mechanisms to free up in time. The Farmall 95A benefits from multi-disc brakes on both sides so they should be capable of taking a certain amount of overuse without any great fuss.

Though the Farmall 95A has F/R powershuttle, it utilises a mechanical over hydraulic system in the operation of both the shuttle and clutch. The shuttle lever and clutch pedal are both attached to individual cables. These cables operate hydraulic control valves on the side of the transmission and control the pto engagement.

This eliminates the need for electrical control systems, including black-boxes, switches, sensors and solenoids/actuators. They are a little heavier to operate but the non-electrical operating system will no doubt appeal to many tractor buyers. Mechanical operation of the hydraulic pto control also allows the user to ‘feather’ the pto in as well – useful in the higher 540E speed.

Before returning the Case IH Farmall 95A to local dealers Springmount Tractors, we brought it up to Nicholas Gainford Ltd for a Dyno test and it proved to be quite a performer. It developed 89hp at 540rpm on the pto and a torque back-up figure of 43.2%.

maintenance access

Access is relatively easy to most areas of engine and backend for daily checks and maintenance. You need to remove the engine side panels for full access to the engine area to change filters. These are held in place by two bolts. These hold the panels securely but are a bit of a minor hassle. Similarly, the screen in front of the radiator is locked in place with an Allen stud; again, very secure, but not so functional.