Case IH today made two formal announcements pertaining to its tractor line at the 2012 Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tenn.

The first was in regard to newly released results of Nebraska Tractor Test Lab fuel-efficiency tests, which the company says set new industry records on fuel savings.

The test report shows that the 600-hp Case IH Steiger 600 tested 8.4 percent more fuel efficient than the competition’s biggest tractor at maximum drawbar pull, and 10.5 percent more fuel efficient at 75 percent drawbar pull maximum power.

Case IH credits the fuel savings to its new Tier 4i emissions-compliant engines, which use Selective Catalytic Reduction Technology to meet EPA’s 2012 emissions standards.

“SCR engine technology reduces emissions and also provides for higher fuel efficiency and more power in high-horsepower, high-torque engines,” says Bill Preller, senior director of specialty business for Case IH. “The bottom line is that the engines run longer because they run cleaner and cooler, they save 10% on fuel, and they also achieve more output with a higher horsepower range.”

To see the actual Nebraska Tractor Test Lab reports, go to http://tractortestlab.unl.edu/testreports.htm.

Case IH also announced the release of a new telemetry product called AFS Connect that allows for the remote access and sharing of any information that is obtained electronically on a vehicle.
 
“With AFS Connect, you can track anything from central fuel usage to monitoring service issues,” Preller says. “But it also can  allow for something as fun as two-way text messaging on “when do you want lunch delivered?”

The telemetry package will be available this month in the form of a dealer-installed kit, and will be a factory-installed option this fall. Price has not been finalized. But Preller says it will likely be part of new dealer service packages.

“Dealer technicians can automatically track vehicles from the shop instead of having to chase them in the field,” Preller explains. “So we expect this to be part of multiple service packages that dealers will offer.”

For more information, go to www.CaseIH.com.