MACHINERY giant Case IH is ramping up its interest in the niche market that increasingly has combine harvesters fitted with tracks.
Trials with an Axial-Flow header (pictured) equipped with the technology have been conducted during the early 2011 harvest near the NSW town of Mungindi, one hour north west of Moree.
First reports are of three 8120 models supplied on the new tracks performing to expectation as headers in the district equipped with traditional wheeled equipment struggled to negotiate muddy paddocks.
Case IH has offered its 7120, 8120 and 9120 model Axial-Flows on tracks for the past two years, according to the company’s customer sales manager for Northern New South Wales, Pete McCann.
He says the grower who purchased the first three Case IH tracked models ever sold in Australia runs a 40,000ha property which predominantly grows wheat and chickpeas.
“He was able to get started in this year’s harvest in up to three inches of water,” Pete McCann said.
Due to the growing popularity of the technology, Case IH says its 7230, 8230 and 9230 Axial-Flow combine harvesters will also be offered on tracks.
“In the United States, Case IH quadrupled its sales forecast in the first year this option was offered to customers,” Pete McCann said.
“We’re expecting this trend to catch on in Australia, particularly given the late starts, due to wet conditions, some growers faced this year and the emphasis on compaction combined with controlled traffic.”
Case IH’s tracked combine harvesters use gear that was adapted from its Steiger range of Quadtrac tractors to deliver increased traction, better flotation, reduced compaction and less soil disturbance.
“If you were to put a wheeled combine to work in a muddy field beside the tracked option, the wheeled machine would struggle to continue harvesting in this type of damp environment,” Pete McCann said.
“This is where the tracked option really shines with ground pressure on the track models rated at just 12.2psi, which is 50 percent less than a 900 wheeled model,” he added.
The track models are also rigid, which results in a cleaner sample particularly when harvesting ground crops such as chickpeas.
As well, Case IH says headers shod with wheels tend to exhibit some tyre flex which can lead to dirt being picked up when harvesting crops close to the ground.
Having tracks helps reduces this flex, plus keeps a consistent front height which, in turn, translates to cleaner samples, leading to better prices.
Growers interested in taking advantage of the benefits of the Case IH range of track model combines are urged to get in early and talk with their local dealers well in advance of the 2012 harvest.
* Visit www.caseih.com
