June 02, 2010
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR FUEL TANK WITH CASE IH
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As farmers continue to strive to maximise profits compared with input costs, fuel efficiency is an obvious target for improvement. While farmers demand more fuel efficiency from their tractors, they are unwilling to sacrifice performance. Case IH's engineers have already found a number of ways to do this and are constantly working to find ways to make engines even more fuel efficient.
"While there are plenty of ways that operators can get more out of a tank of fuel, the most effective way to squeeze every last drop of productivity from your tractor is to ensure that it is fitted with state-of-the-art systems so you don't even have to think about saving fuel - the tractor does it for you," said Case IH Marketing Manager, Stuart Brown.
"Technologies like Automatic Productivity Management (APM), compound turbochargers, direct drive to the PTO and Case IH's AFS Pro 600 are all examples of ways our engineers have made tractors work smarter as well as harder."
Automatic Productivity Management
Case IH's Automatic Productivity Management (APM) system automatically adjusts engine speed and transmission gear for maximum fuel efficiency - in some cases improving fuel economy by up to 25 per cent, as demonstrated in independent Nebraska tests.
The APM system achieved a prestigious AE50 Award. The system, which is also standard on all Steigers, Quadtracs and Magnums built after 2009, automatically adjusts both the gear setting and engine rpm to the most fuel-efficient mode for a given load. The operator chooses either field or transport mode, and the APM system reduces engine speed whenever the implement load allows, automatically reducing fuel consumption and leaving the operator to concentrate on the work in progress instead of having to manually shift gears at just the right time and adjust the engine rpm with the throttle. In APM mode, the operator uses the engine throttle handle as a ground speed selector. Once the desired ground speed is attained, the APM system automatically adjusts the engine speed and transmission gear to provide maximum fuel economy.
The APM system achieves maximum fuel economy with the use of a proven and reliable full powershift transmission. Coupled to a flexible, electronically controlled engine, this provides maximum mechanical efficiency at every forward speed. With one button functionality, the system means even inexperienced operators can work with optimum fuel efficiency while reducing fatigue.
Compound turbocharger
Case IH's Steiger 485 has received an AE50 Award for its unique compound turbocharger technology, which results in fuel efficiency gains of up to three per cent, as well as increasing performance and horsepower.
"It's the first time turbo compound technology has been used in an agricultural tractor application," said Stuart.
"The technology uses a second turbocharger to convert energy otherwise wasted as exhaust to provide additional power for increased fuel efficiency. The engine also operates with reduced noise, weighs less, and takes less space than the previous engine. The use of two types of turbochargers also provides a more even response over a wide range of engine loading."
Direct Drive PTO
Simplicity is the key to efficient design. With that in mind, Case IH engineers pay particular attention to getting the maximum power to the PTO by avoiding unnecessary gears and clutches. While this may sound basic, not every manufacturer does it.
In the Maxxfarm, JX, JXU, Maxxum and Puma tractor rangs, power is taken from the flywheel of the engine (mounted to the left of the transmission), follows the red path to the rear of the tractor without going through any energy-absorbing gear pairs, then into the clutch pack mounted right at the rear of the tractor transmission. From
there, one gear pair then reverses the shaft's rotation to get the correct direction at the PTO shaft as well as selecting the speed of PTO shaft rotation. All the while, the shaft is kept high out of the transmission oil to avoid drag on gears, which takes power, and is pressure lubricated. There is no simpler or more efficient way to get power from the engine to the PTO driven implement.
(The attached image shows the PTO drive line for the Puma 165-210 tractors. The red line show the power flow from engine to implement PTO shaft.)
AFS Pro 600 for engine management
The Case IH AFS Pro 600 display is a fully portable, colour monitor that allows operators to manage every detail of the tractor's performance, including fuel consumption and work rate. Efficiency statistics can be obtained by paddock, by job or by day and the system can also estimate the time left to complete tasks and the fuel that will be required.
"Fleet operators can use the AFS Pro 600 system to compare units, manage operator efficiency and even allocate fuel costs by job. These capabilities are unique to the AFS Pro 600 system because it communicates directly with the tractor's electronics to gather fuel and performance data, synchronising that data with GPS positioning data. Aftermarket guidance systems do not have this ability because they do not communicate with the tractor's internal systems," explained Stuart.
New fuel efficient tractors from Case IH
Case IH has brought its extensive experience in creating large, powerful tractors to bear in its new range of smaller tractors, according to Stuart. "These new tractors - mostly under 100 hp in size - are ideal for vegetable growers, horticultural operations, orchards, plantations, livestock operations and various small farm tasks."
Available in six models, ranging from the MAXXFARM 25 to the MAXXFARM 60, the MAXXFARM range has the power to operate sprayers and high powered tillers in horticultural operations as well as the compact size and excellent manoeuvrability needed in orchards and plantations and the versatility to handle a wide range of small farm tasks. Available accessories include mower decks, the Maxx-Lift front end loader with standard or 4-in-1 buckets.
Maxxfarm owner, Richard Salter, runs a small beef enterprise with 25 head of cattle.
"I'd always wanted to own a little red tractor and my boyhood dream came true with the Maxxfarm 60. I use it for loading hay, leveling ground and general farm duties," said Richard. "The 4WD is handy because there are some very steep sections on my property. Overall, the Maxxfarm is extremely light to operate with power assisted steering and all the controls are easily accessible. It's very economical on fuel, which is great and it's just a lovely little tractor. We're really pleased with it."
Maxxfarm's four-cylinder engines are water-cooled with a cross-flow head design that brings the air through the opposite side of the engine from the exhaust. Because the air is cool when it enters the combustion chamber, it allows the fuel to burn more effectively than if it had been warmed by the exhaust. "This is a significant benefit of many Case IH engines," said Stuart.
Two new JX High Clearance models (JX 80 and JX 95) for 2010 have equal sized wheels and high undercarriage clearance, making them ideal for row-crop conditions - particularly in field-scale vegetable crops - allowing the tractor to travel safely over raised beds. They are available in cab or ROPS configuration.
The new JXU 115 combines all the same efficient, cost effective features as the rest of the JXU range but with more horsepower. All JXU models now offer the option of a 20 x 20 creeper transmission, ideal for vegetable growers. Turf tyres have also been introduced as a factory option.
2010 also sees the arrival of the Quantum C series tractor, a lightweight all rounder that combines the best of compact utility tractor engineering with the advanced technological features normally seen in larger machines. The Quantum C series comprises two models ranging from 86 hp to 97-hp.
