New Holland Agriculture, long known for its hay and forage equipment, continues to expand its row-crop 4WD tractor and combine offerings. It was recognized for innovative design and performance offerings in 2011 by AE50 awards from the prestigious American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Some of the award winners were two New Holland high-horsepower tractors with Tier 4 ECOBlue SCR engine technology, the SynchroKnife drive for New Holland's new 880CF combine SuperFlex draper header and the MowMax II cutterbar for New Holland's Durabine disc mower-conditioners. The Cornrower corn-stover windrowing attachment, an add-on created for New Holland's 99C chopping corn head by a New Holland dealer, was also presented an AE50 Award. The unique system provides options for corn-stover harvest currently unavailable with other systems.

New Holland was the first company to offer a rotary combine head (in 1975). "New Holland has a continuing commitment to new technology and cutting edge solutions," says Abe Hughes, New Holland's vice president of Sales and Marketing, North America, at a recent media event to mark New Holland’s commitment to the North American agricultural market.

New Holland’s 350-600-hp 4WD T9 tractor line offers the largest cab and the first cab suspension system in the industry, says Sean Dorosz, New Holland high-horsepower-tractor marketing manager.

SmartTrax, available for New Holland's wide-frame T9.615 and T9.670 tractor models, are premium-quality tracks with the toughest belts in the industry for longer belt life as well as uniform load to the ground. They are available in standard and high-idler modules, making it easier to negotiate ditches and rough terrain. The high-idler configuration has a sled-shaped leading edge that drags crop residue and topsoil under the footprint for better traction and flotation, the firm says.

SmartTrax tracks can be transferred from tractor to combine. The tracks bolt to the hubs without adapters, allowing conversion from wheels to tracks.

"SmartTrax tracks boost the productivity and pulling efficiency of our T9 series tractors," Dorosz says. "They increase traction and reduce soil compaction and slippage, which translates into less surface damage and a smoother ride.

“The New Holland T9.560 tractor 4WD tractor is the largest row-crop frame unit in the industry. The chassis has been configured in row-crop applications requiring 60-in. tread settings and up to 500 rated engine horsepower. The ability to accommodate larger diameter tires improves the traction with narrow tires required in row-crop applications,” Dorosz says.

“New Holland is the first manufacturer to offer optional PTO with 113 gpm remote hydraulic flow to power large planters and grain carts. The tractor also includes the option of a four-corner cab suspension for increased ride comfort. The hood and cooling package offer improved visibility over the hood and easy access for cleaning the coolers. All six models of the T9 series tractors feature fuel-efficient Tier 4 ECOBlue SCR engine technology.”

New Features

For details on the second generation of the Sidewinder controls, see http://bit.ly/Sidewinder2. Taking input from consumers and design cues from Fiat (automaker), the armrest/control console is movable and offers all controls at the tip of a finger. The Sidewinder II is available on the T6, T7 and T8 tractor models.

The 2013 models have an optional factory-installed Intellisteer guidance option, developed in partnership with Trimble navigation.

New Holland CR combines are technologically advanced but simple to use,” says Nigel Mackenzie, combine marketing manager. Six models, ranging from 355 to 402 hp, and nine header models ranging from 25 to 45 ft., provide a broad range for corn and soybean growers. They have a 25-mph road speed option to reflect grower needs,” Mackenzie says.

“We packaged that with twin-rotor solutions for different crop conditions and a large-screen IntelliView IV color touchscreen display that monitors all combine functions and  a wide variety of performance information from up to three camera inputs, with direct USB connectivity for data collection.”

The New Holland SynchroKnife drive, offered on the New Holland 880CF combine SuperFlex draper header, is a new, patented center knife-drive system that changes how a combine header cutterbar is driven. The double knife drive gearbox is driven by a single hydraulic motor and mounted in the center of the header. This system works on the same basis as the two opposing knife drives used in larger headers, but eliminates vibrations by synchronizing opposing knifes. The new drive also eliminates complex drivelines, reducing maintenance needs and saving power while reducing overall crop losses from the header, New Holland says.

The Cornrower system, invented and patented by New Holland dealer Jim Straeter of Rochester, IN, catches the stover under the stalk rolls, preventing soil/stover contact, while chopping it into small pieces. Labor to windrow the stover is eliminated since the Cornrower makes the windrow on the same pass as corn is harvested. For more on the combines, see http://bit.ly/NHCombine.

New Holland Agriculture is a division of CNH Global, a subsidiary of Fiat.