Case IH high horsepower product manager, Alyx Selsmeyer, with a prototype of an AFS Connect Magnum tractor that will be released on the Australian market in late 2020.

VISITORS to this year’s AgQuip Field Days in north west New South Wales had a chance to take a sneak preview at test models of Case IH’s AFS Connect Magnum tractors which will become available in Australia in late 2020.

The state-of-the-art machines, which are to be manufactured at the Case plant at Racine in Wisconsin in the United States, are full-size Magnums ranging from 187kW (250hp) to 285kW (380hp) that will have AFS Connect features.

Case IH high horsepower product manager, Alyx Selsmeyer, said it was not just the model that was changing, it was a full technology and styling makeover.

The new tractors feature a completely redesigned bonnet, hood and cab with a more intuitive screen and a new logo to signify the major differences with the product line.

“The new AFS Connect tractor has similar styling as the Case autonomous concept vehicle that was on display for the first time two years ago at AgQuip. It takes the underlying technology. There are a lot more sensors and a lot more data actively showing on the screen as well as remotely,” she said.

The Case autonomous concept vehicle that was on display at AgQuip two years ago.

“The main thing is connectivity. They have an AFS Connect portal. You can view all your fields and data remotely from a cell phone or tablet.

“There is also remote servicing where your dealer can view the machine’s display remotely. They can remotely service it and provide firmware, over-the-air updates. You don’t need to physically wait for a service person from the dealership to come out to your farm to fix a tractor. It brings everything into the one place remotely.”

Ms Selsmeyer said the AFS Connect Magnums would be more user friendly.

“Everything is within one or two clicks. You are not having to go into a menu on the screen then have to go back out before you can go to the next thing,” she said.

Maxxum makes debut

Visitors to AgQuip also had the opportunity to inspect Case IH’s new Maxxum CVT tractor.

Case IH mid-horsepower and compact tractors ANZ product manager, Seamus McCarthy, said the new tractors featured an upgrade to the Tier 4B emissions using Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology.

Mr McCarthy said the Maxxum would come in two transmissions: the CVT and a new ActiveDrive 8 dual-clutch powershift transmission. Both transmission types come in three horsepower ranges: 87kW (115hp), 101kW (135hp) and 112kW (150hp).

“The ActiveDrive 8 has eight gears in three ranges with double-clutch technology. It offers less torque interruption because you don’t need the clutch to change through the gears. The CVT is available now. The ActiveDrive 8 will be available in the last quarter of this year,” he said.

“The Maxxum range will still have the Tier 3 power-shift offering for the value-entry model; then there will be the ActiveDrive 8 which will be our mid-position tractor; then the high-spec CVT offering.”

Mr McCarthy said the CVT was the premium model aimed at contractors and farmers who needed very efficient operational tractors to get the full production capacity.

“Features unique to the CVT are adaptive and reactive steering with headland management control as standard. When you are doing headland turns you can automate control with the press of a button which makes it efficient and seamless,” he said.

“The wheelbase is 255 millimetres longer in these models, but the turning rate is maintained at 5.4 metres, so there is no loss of manoeuvrability.”

Case IH mid-horsepower and compact tractors ANZ product manager, Seamus McCarthy, with the new Maxxum CVT tractor.

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