Case IH’s two newest, and much talked about, tractors will feature at FTMTA Grass & Muck at Gurteen Agricultural College, Co. Tipperary on Thursday May 17th – the Maxxum Multicontroller with ActiveDrive 8 transmission and the entry-level Puma X model. They will joined on the stand by the RB455 and RB5454 round balers which have received substantial upgrades, as well as higher powered Puma CVX and compact Luxxum tractors.
The Maxxum 145 Multicontroller equipped with the company’s new 8-speed 24-speed ActiveDrive 8 transmission achieved the lowest specific fuel consumption ever recorded for a four-cylinder tractor in the respected PowerMix test. Conducted by Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (DLG), the German Agricultural Society, it achieved an average specific fuel consumption of 258 g/kWh in the Field Work section of the test, almost 9.5% lower than the 282 g/kWh recorded by its nearest competitor.
Named ‘Machine Of The Year 2018’ at the Agritechnica show, the Maxxum 145 Multicontroller is powered by a 4.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged and intercooled FPT engine which meets Stage IV emissions regulations using the Hi-eSCR selective catalytic reduction system. This has a rated power output of 107kW (145hp) at 2,200rpm and produces up to 118kW (160hp) with Power Management, the maximum power of 114kW (155hp) being produced at 1,800rpm, and 129kW (175hp) with Power Management.
A key factor in the result was the tractor’s ActiveDrive 8 transmission, a new 24 x 24 semi-powershift which provides eight powershift steps in each of three ranges. The transmission can now be specified on all Maxxum Multicontroller tractors from 116hp to 145hp as an alternative to ActiveDrive 4, a four-step 16 x 16 40 km/h semi-powershift system, and the continuously-variable 50 km/h CVXDrive transmission. ActiveDrive 8 is suited to power-hungry tasks where maintaining momentum is critical, such as cultivations or operating large mowers, because the clutch pedal is not required to change gear.
The Puma X tractor is a new base specification of the popular Puma, offering an alternative to customers seeking a combination of high quality with simple features. The Puma X range features the Case IH six-step semi-powershift transmission, and is available with respective rated powers 140, 150 and 165hp, with maximum outputs, including Engine Power Management, of 175, 190 and 210hp.
While the tractors are built around a lighter rear axle, many of the key changes are to be found in the cab, which has a basic digital information display, and features likely to appeal to livestock farmers in particular, such as a low-profile roof to aid access into buildings, and an opening right-hand door in addition to that on the left side of the tractor.
At the rear, the mechanical remote valves are non-configurable, while the rear wheels are fitted with narrow fender extensions. A two-speed 540/1,000rpm PTO package is the standard offering, and a comprehensive lighting package, with four halogen roof-mounted worklights, is retained.
Upgrades to two round baler models will also feature, including the combination RB 545 Silage Pack fixed-chamber round baler. This now includes improved front hood access when changing net and film, stronger rotor cutter knives, a configurable blank knife option, an improved bale quarter turn option and longer wrapper table belts.
The RB455 variable chamber round baler also benefits from a 2018 upgrade. This includes a dual density option, while a new rotor design on Rotor Cutter models improves durability, with tine thickness increased from 6mm to 8mm and inter-tine spacing up from 8mm to 10mm. A new net wrapper design features a new net knife to improve cut quality. Bale shape fill sensor sensitivity has been improved, as has the associated display.
Also on the Case IH stand will be the popular Puma CVX with smooth continuously-variable transmission and the high-spec yet compact Luxxum 120 tractor.
