REPORT: It’s hard to believe that New Holland’s curvy CX models hit the market over 20 years ago, because over the intervening years the combine range hasn’t changed too much on the outside. Under the panels, however, it’s a very different story. We see what 20 years of development looks like with a 2002 CX860 and 2022 CX8.90.
When New Holland launched its new CX straw walker combines for the 2002 season it brought the whole range bang up to date compared with the boxy metal tinwork of the TX. The new CX in contrast had curvy styling, a 75cm diameter threshing drum, up to 374hp, a maximum grain tank capacity of 10.5m³ and a feel-good cab. And today, more than 20 years on, the curves are still there. Indeed, the styling has hardly changed, but New Holland has not stopped developing the CX — from the header and the threshing drum to the engine, chassis and cabin. This is highlighted in our comparison of a 22-year old CX860 with a two-year-old CX8.90. Both of these are part of the combine fleet run by German harvesting contractor Bernhard Stade from Westphalia.
Not just a wider cut
In 2002, the only choice that buyers had in terms of header was between the various cutting widths. The ‘Capacity’ header for cereals was available with a maximum cutting width of up to 9.15m. For oilseed rape crops, operators had to add an oilseed rape table, which was cumbersome to install on the front of the header. The table was short, which could prove frustrating in lodged crops. In 2004 New Holland moved things on with the Extra Capacity header, on which the knife is 15cm farther forward.
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