Both sister brands Case IH and New Holland chose Cereals 2023 as the worldwide debut for their new flagship heavy middleweight prime movers.
In the red corner is the Case Optum 340 which, like its blue-painted equivalent, tops out at a maximum engine output of 340hp. (The previous range-topper maxxed out at 313hp). But it’s not all about a computer-generated power boost insists CNH. While the muscle is still provided by FPT’s time-proven 6.7-litre NEF six-pot, the cylinder head and pistons have been beefed up to deal with the extra stresses generated. Likewise, the cooling pack has been upsized and the hydros and gears in the four range CVX/AutoCommand stepless transmission have been tweaked to deal with the additional load that they’ll inevitably come under. It’s a similar story with the drivelines to both front and rear pto shafts – extra meat for clutch-packs and gear-sets.
Case IH says the addition of this higher horsepower model to the Optum range means it can now compete head-on with the likes of Fendt’s 900-series and Deere’s 7Rs. Interestingly it means the more compact European built tractor now overlaps with the longer, heavier US-built Magnum series (the smallest of which – the 310 model – no longer lands on our shores). Potential purchasers might be interested to learn that if they’re prepared to slum it with an old-school powershift box they could be paying similar money for an all American prime-mover with some 60 extra ponies under the hood.
While both blue and red liveried models might be identical in the flesh there are clearly differences up in the cab with different layouts, switchgear and software running the decent-sized colour touchscreens. However, New Holland claims to have an extra trick up its sleeve.
Built into the ISObus functionality of the T7HD’s latest generation Intelliview display is a function called ‘Baler mode’. Working in conjunction with Tractor-Implement Management (TIM) which matches transmission ratios and forward speed to load on the pto, this extra feature works to limit the surging effect that big square balers can generate. When first hitched up to a big six-stringer the on-board computer enters ‘learning’ mode and monitors power and torque spikes as the flywheel and plunger do their thing. This way it can then adjust fuelling on a milli-second basis with additional pre- and post-combustion injections to pre-empt and smooth out the surging effect.
Apparently this can reduce engine speed variation by up to 26% with the result that diesel usage was cut by 12.7% in New Holland’s field testing with a 120×90 high density square baler. Bold claims but it goes further. The company says it has also modified its hydraulic cab and front axle suspension systems to similarly pre-empt the surge effect, stiffening up as the load makes the pto driveline buck.
In other news we’re told New Holland’s Battery Electric Vehicle project continues apace with prototypes assigned to go out for field testing this summer and the first 75hp machine destined to make its debut at Agritechnica in Hannover in November.
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