In the midst of introducing the Red Power Tour to its dealers, Case IH gave the media a hands-on preview of new equipment headed to dealerships this fall and into 2014. Farmers can get their first glimpse of this lineup at next week’s Farm Progress Show near Decatur, Ill.

The product intro in Denver was kicked off by Jim Walker, VP, Case IH NAFTA, who highlighted the tremendous growth in marketshare gains by red equipment since 2006 (global sales increased from $1 to $4 billion). In the NAFTA region, planters have increased marketshare by 9.8%, combines 6.1%, sprayers 5.8%, 4WD tractors 5.6%, 100-139hp tractors 4.8% and 140+ hp tractors up 3%.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to CSD Extra and get the latest news right to your inbox!

Among the reasons for success he cited was the company’s farmer-driven product design and service improvements; its emphasis on ‘efficient power’ using less fuel; a commitment to agronomic design that helps farmers achieve greater economic use of their land; value-added knowledgeable field people; an improved dealer organization and a broader/deeper product lineup.

Walker also talked about the challenges of farm equipment manufacturers trying to keep up with huge demand brought on by record farm profits in recent years, and is actually welcoming a slow down in demand to bring more stability to manufacturing in this era of just-in-time production.

Here’s a quick rundown of what we saw in Denver.

Engines

With 18 new engine-powered machines being introduced, Case IH touts themselves and its Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology as the first and only maker to use this patented method to meet strict Tier 4 Final emissions standards. Its SCR-only solution treats the exhaust flow downstream and after the combustion process so the engine generates maximum power without adding any complexity or compromising efficiency. Case IH claims a 95% NOx conversion efficiency, compared to competitive SCR systems that provide 80-85% efficiency and require a diesel particulate filter and/or exhaust gas recirculation.

Steiger tractors

Case IH launches seven new Steiger models in both wheeled and track configurations, from 405 to 682 maximum hp. An added 35 hp power boost delivers more power for transport, hydraulics and PTO. They claim operating big planters and seeders has never been easier with eight hydraulic remotes and the most hydraulic flow (up to 113 gal./min.) in the industry.

The Surveyor cab has new features like ventilation fans for cooling leather seats, an extendable lower seat cushion for more thigh and leg support, and an improved adjustment to position the MultiControl armrest. The MultiControl handle offers larger/softer control buttons, and a new thumb wheel for improved control of ground speed and fuel savings.

The Steiger models continue to come with factory-installed Advanced Farming System (AFS) 700 control center, including a new AFS Pro 700 that manages a wide range of functions, from AFS AccuGlide autoguidance, tractor performance monitoring, implement control, and more.

Magnum tractors

The new 2014 Magnum lineup ranges from 180 to 380 hp. A new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) configuration for high-horsepower machines improves the machine’s mechanical efficiency. These models provide up to 14% power growth, plus an extra 35 engine hp with Power Boost.

A new Magnum CVT configuration uses the same double-clutch technology found in other Magnum, Puma and Maxxum tractors to deliver uninterrupted power to the ground, from creeper to transport speed. The CVT automatically selects the most efficient transmission range for the desired speed and load, eliminating need to clutch and shift. And improvements inside the cab are similar to the Steiger tractors.

Puma tractors

Ranging from 150 to 240 hp, six new Case IH Tier 4 Final Puma models are available with CVT or Powershift transmissions. Like the Steiger and Magnum, cab controls have been updated, with a redesigned MultiControl handle with raised and ergonomically shaped, backlit buttons. The updated cab features a headliner with air conditioning controls and three additional storage slots, electric and heated mirrors, a tinted rear windshield, and a storage net below the passenger seat. A Bluetooth radio option is also available.

Combines

New Case IH Axial-Flow 140 series combines now offer up to 410 hp – 60 more horsepower than previous models. Now available with eight halogen lights on the outside of the cab, these combines are also equipped with a new spreader option that allows the operator to adjust spread distance from the cab. The chopper counter knife bank can also be adjusted from the cab, and the knife bank retracts when the combine is placed in emergency mode.

Corn and draper heads

Case IH has invested $60 million in R&D and manufacturing facilities to launch new headers that will operate at higher speeds, cover more acres in a day, produce maximum yields, minimize grain loss and provide top quality grain.

The new 3152 and 3162 draper heads offer easy, in-cab deployment of a low-speed transportation system. The 3162 flex draper also has an easy-to-use, in-cab cutterbar control option that follows ground contours more closely.

The exclusive center-mounted knife drive – called CentraCut – improves headerbalance as the head is driven from the center. This increases performance and minimizes vibration across the cutterbar. The CentraCut design also enables narrow end dividers, which reduce crop knockdown and improvesgrain savings. In addition, all 3152 and 3162 frames have been designed from the ground up, with fully welded construction.

The new Case IH 4400 and 4200 corn heads include several features that allow them to pick more corn at higher ground speeds, like heavy-duty drives engineered for high-speed harvest and high-yielding corn hybrids. These heads have high-capacity gathering chains to pull in large crop volumes, and matched capacity stalk roll to gathering chain speeds for superior feeding. They also have larger stalk rolls that increase stalk processing, and longer stalk roll knives that give you a wider operating range. And they’re built with patented corn saver louvers that maximize grain savings.         

The company has also engineered a 12-row folding corn head version.

Patriot sprayers

The new Case IH Patriot3240 and 3340 sprayers offer more horsepower and new options for spray control. Onenew option gives operators improved spray accuracy across the field. The new AIM Command PRO spraysystem provides individual nozzle control allowing nozzles to turn on and off individually, rather than by entire boom sections.This advanced spray technology minimizes overspray and overlaps, preventing over application and the resulting crop damage.

Planters

The new Early Riser 5 series planters offer improved seed handling capabilities while delivering more uptime, reliability and agronomic benefit.For example, the all-new AccuStat advanced seed sensing system allows farmers to monitor and map detailed seed spacing information live on the AFS Pro 700 display. This high-performance seed sensor provides greater accuracy while allowing continuous monitoring and immediate adjustments to maintain seed placement consistency on a per row basis.

With the unique Advanced Seed Meter, singulation adjustment system, you can make individual row adjustments to optimize spacing without making planter wide changes in speed, vacuum or pressure, or down-pressure that might slow down your productivity in terms of acres covered per hour.

Redesigned bulk fill delivery enhancements for models 1245, 1255 and 1265 make filling easier and allow producers to make fewer stops. The bulk fill system can deliver challenging seed sizes, such as sunflowers and sweet corn, adding productivity for customers who might have purchased on-row hoppers for these crops. Filling bulk fill tanks to capacity is easily accomplished without pushing seed, which means less fatigue, quicker filling and more productivity. 

And these planters continue to feature the legendary Early Riser row unit that has 12 unique features that all contribute to earlier, more uniform emergence.

Also, take a few minutes to view the product gallery compiled by our sister publication, Farm Industry News.

You might also like:

4 tips for cover crop success

Weather extremes challenge corn nitrogen management

Tips for applying P & K this fall