There was the introduction of new flagship models to its tractor line-up, extended CVX offerings and numerous improvements to its combine series, and more besides.
There was the introduction of new flagship models to its tractor line-up, extended CVX offerings and numerous improvements to its combine series, and more besides.
Maxxum gets the CVX option
The new Maxxum CVX tractor models seen at Berlin are of most interest to farmers here. Case IH unveiled the option of a CVX transmission for the Maxxum that should be attractive, provided that the price is not prohibitive.
They are made in Austria and will be available from January 2014.
Within the conventional Maxxum series there are models with four and six-cylinder engines. There are three new models of Maxxum CVX, all with 4.485 litre four-cylinder Tier4i FPT engines using AdBlue for exhaust emission control.
New are the Maxxum 110 CVX, 120 CVX and 130 CVX with ‘Nominal’ engine powers similar to their badging. Under conditions of Power-boost or Power-management, each figure rises by approximately 20hp (Table 1).
According to Case IH, the transmission is just a smaller version of that used in the short-wheelbase Puma series and has just two transmission ranges.
The firm’s double-clutch technology is incorporated into the transmission for smooth changing between ranges. It operates continuously between zero and 50kph (in range two).
Fuel efficiency is reflected in the fact that the tractor’s top speed of 50kph (Eco Speed) is achieved at a lower engine speed of 1,750rpm (40kph at 1,600rpm). The engine control system has been set to reach maximum torque at an engine speed of just 1,500rpm.
A new engine software system to control idling revs also has been introduced. This is claimed to reduce fuel consumption by automatically reducing idle rpm from 850rpm to 650rpm 30 seconds after the driver leaves the cab, provided that the electronic remotes are not in operation.
Maxxum CVX tractors are equipped with the Case IH Automatic Productivity Management (APM) that’s already used on the larger tractors. APM automatically reduces engine speed if less power is required for a task while maintaining forward speed.
And the same cab is used since the introduction of the MXU/Maxxum series. All the tractor’s main controls and the new latest generation Multicontroller are integrated into the right-hand armrest. An AFS Pro 300 or AFS Pro 700 touch-screen monitor can also be fitted to the console.
The new Maxxum CVX has just one hydraulic pump, compared with two in the past, with a flow rate of 125 litres/minute. Rear linkage lift capacity is quoted at 7,864kg while the front hitch lifts up to 3,100kg.
Up to seven electro-hydraulic remotes can be fitted, four at the rear with up to three mid-mounted.
A new control system for the front hydraulics makes it easier to operate front-mounted machinery such as mowers. Two hitch heights can be pre-programmed so that the automatic float regulation system automatically switches to float mode as soon as the relevant working position is reached.
Big end changes at Steiger and Quadtrac
At the top end of the Case IH tractor range there were three new models introduced of the Steiger and Quadtrac articulated tractor series. Case IH said that new, smaller models will be phased in at a later stage. The Steiger models represent the firm’s wheeled line-up of articulated tractors while Quadtrac versions feature track units at each corner.
New at the top end of the Quadtrac line-up is the Quadtrac 540, Quadtrac 580 and the firm’s new flagship model, the Quadtrac 620. This has a power rating of 628hp and a maximum power output of 692hp. Torque delivery is almost 3,000Nm according to Case IH while she tips the scales at a mighty 25 tonnes.
To cope with this extra power, the chassis on the new Steiger 540, 580 and 620 has been adapted to power output with integrated ballast. They are equipped with heavy duty components throughout, including larger axles and wheel hubs. Quadtrac variants with four independently driven tracks provide a ground contact area of more than 5.6 square metres.
Standard track widths are 710mm while 910mm wide tracks are available.
Under the very large bonnet is an engine supplied by sister firm Fiat Power Train – an FPT Industrial Cursor 13 engine. This is a six-cylinder engine with a capacity of 12.9 litres and is among the first tractor series from Case IH to meet the latest round of emission regulations Tier 4 Final/Stage IV. This is done with an SCR-only system (AdBlue) and is achieved with an additional inter-cooler and turbo but without any other modification to the engine or fuel injection pressure.
The large Case IH Surveyor cab features cab suspension, seat ventilation on the driver’s seat and new, wide angle rear view mirrors that can be heated and adjusted electronically. The driver’s seat can be swivelled by 40 degrees to improve rear visibility.
Both the Steiger and Quadtrac now have the latest generation of Multicontroller with an AFS Pro 700 colour monitor. Case IH said that its new design makes it easier to operate; the controls are backlit for night work. Up to eight double-acting hydraulic spool vales can be operated from the arm rest as well as automatic headland function.
The new Steiger and Quadtrac are now faster with a top speed of 37kph. They have a full Powershift transmission with 16 forward speeds and two reverse gears.
They come with a useful fuel saving feature called Automatic Productivity Management (APM). This system automatically selects the best combination of gear and engine speed for each implement and type of terrain. When APM is active, the driver only needs to enter the desired driving speed.
All Steiger and Quadtracs can be supplied with a complete AccuGuide guidance system factory-fitted. The AccuGuide guidance system includes the very latest AFS372 generation of GPS receiver which can receive the Russian Glonass signal at no extra charge.
Magnum tweaks
The new Case IH Magnum tractor series now spans 235hp to 370hp with the latter model boosting to 420hp with EPM-Engine Power Management. Transmission options include a powershift offering 18 forward and four reverse speeds or a CVX unit.
The firm has been a little slow to make the CVX version fully available, according to a Case IH spokesman, due to the construction of a new manufacturing area for the new Magnum CVX transmission at the firm’s Racine factory in the US. We can expect to see units available around September, the spokesman confirmed.
When it arrives, it will feature a front axle and front axle suspension, built in-house and replacing the current Dana-Spicer unit.
The Magnum 340 and 370 feature bigger rear axles which allow 710/75-R42 tyres to be fitted with a diameter of 2.15 metres.
Standard features include a 166 litre/minute hydraulic pump with two additional options of a Megaflow 218 l/minute system or Twinflow (two pumps) 282 l/minute hydraulic system.
Rear lift capacity is quoted at a maximum of 8.5 tonnes.
Axial-Flows get more features
Case IH has made numerous changes to its Axial-Flow combine harvesters with European conditions and requirements in mind. The 3050 series combine headers have been expanded with a 12.2metre model to give eight working widths.
The new 12.2 metre version has an actual cutting width of 41-foot. This allows some discrepancies for controlled traffic farming and the often small but noticeable matching of tracks to working widths.
There is an extendable floor section to move the cutter bar out or in by 573mm to cater for different crop lengths.
The reel is a one-piece unit across the full width of the header. The auger is a split design.
Four sensors positioned across the header’s width provide height/contouring control. The header can be pre-plumbed for side knives. Combines are equipped with two position header height control, one for standard cutting and another pre-programmed for getting under a laid crop, for example.
On the larger Axial Flow 230 series combines the main separating rotor is now mechanically driven through a three-speed gearbox and CVT transmission.
Case IH claims that this offers infinite speed variation within each range from the cab. Reverse is also standard to help clear a blockage.
The in-cab control of a ‘chopper’ flap can change from chopping straw to laying it out for baling within a minute, according Case IH. This is useful if you chop the headlands and bale the rest of the field.
There are three in-cab settings for the chaff spreader, left, right or straight behind if there is no wind.
Capacity of the grain separation system and the ability of the augers and elevators to transfer the grain from the grain separation area to the tank have been increased.
A new hydraulically driven fan is used and the entire grain separation area and fan moves together when levelling on slopes. The unloading auger has a two-speed facility for starting to unload and finishing off a trailer. The feeder auger in the tank is driven separately and is engaged once the operator is happy the auger is on target. Auger options include a pivot spout option which ‘tips up’ when the auger is switched off to prevent any spillage.
In the cab, there’s a new Multicontroller lever and monitor. The monitor can slide rearwards improving visibility to the right of the header.
The hydrostatic drive has been upgraded to include a low rpm road speed to conserve fuel.
Case IH said that track options are proving more and more popular. They reduce road width; stabilise the combine and header; there is no ‘wallowing’, and ground pressure is reduced. Widths available are 24” or 30” tracks.
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