Reducing compaction and getting more field time for equipment even in adverse conditions has been a growing challenge as the 2019 season showed. As part of that, more farmers see value in the use of tracks for specific machines and CNH Industrial is capitalizing on that with news of its purchase of ATI Inc., an Indiana-based manufacturer of rubber track systems for high-horsepower tractors and combines.

In its release announcing the acquisition, CNH keyed the acquisition to the Case IH brand noting the purchase will “provide Case IH customers with access to industry-leading track technology, extending the available range and enabling them to tailor their choice based on specific flotation, suspension and traction requirements.”

In the announcement, Case IH Brand President Brad Crews noted that integration of ATI into CNH Industrial will “augment the Case IH leadership position in track systems and technologies. Case IH will continue to provide our customers innovative products that build upon our history of enabling industry-leading productivity.”

He adds that the ATI integration will provide Case IH the opportunity to build on its track portfolio and boost its market position.

ATI offers PowerFlex Trax with TerraForm technology with suspension for a better ride at higher transport speeds up to 25 mph.

Sam Acker, Case IH global harvesting product lead, explains that the road following capability of the track reduces heat and wear for better longevity. “In the field, PowerFlex Trax with TerraForm technology deliver a smooth ride on rough terrain, improving operator comfort, while also providing better header ground following performance, to maximize grain savings.”

The ATI combine track system offers improved flotation to reduce compaction and provides harvest flexibility especially in wet conditions, according to CNH Industrial. With this acquisition, the company reports that the new track will be available on Case IH combines produced in the Grand Island, Neb., facility in late 2020, and available for retrofit for the 2020 harvest season.

Case IH carved a niche in the track tractor market in 1996 with the launch of the Steiger Quadtrac, which continues to hold a significant market position.

ATI Inc., was established in 1997 and initially specialized in rubber tracks for seismic exploration on Alaska’s North Slope, later the firm extended the technology to a range of agricultural tracks for tractors and combines. The SmartTrax machines in the New Holland lineup – a division of CNH Industrial – used on the T9 tractor are built by ATI.

Source: CNH Industrial. The source is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.