Our Case IH product specialists based in the field tell me that a few of you have already begun to put seed in the ground this spring. This week’s initial USDA Crop Progress Report confirms that.
Many of you are still gearing up, or perhaps just impatiently waiting for the first crop insurance planting date: April 6 for corn in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio and April 11 for Iowa and Minnesota. So what’s top-of-mind for you during this critical window? (more…)
Several years ago, Case IH had the foresight to focus engine development efforts on Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology in order to meet Tier 4 standards. The latest results from the Nebraska Tractor Test Lab prove that was the right decision. (more…)
The results are in from the Nebraska Tractor Test Lab confirming Tier 4A Case IH tractors with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology have set new industry records for fuel-efficient power.
For example, the Steiger® 600 set the record for drawbar horsepower and fuel efficiency versus the competitions’ biggest tractor. Measured at maximum power in horsepower-hours-per-gallon, the Steiger 600 tested 8.4 percent more fuel efficient than the Deere 9630 at maximum drawbar pull, and 10.5 percent more fuel efficient at 75 percent drawbar pull maximum power. (more…)
From former President George W. Bush to Trace Adkins to Tom Vilsack, there are some big names on tap at the ag trade shows in 2012. Are you planning to attend any shows this winter? Which one do you like best, and why? Leave a comment and let us know. (more…)
Today’s guest blogger is Mitch Kaiser, the Marketing Manager for Steiger® tractors. He’s been with the company for 37 years, with a third of these in Product Development, so he knows a thing or two about cab evolution. You can see Mitch in this short video of a Steiger Cab walkaround, shot during the 2011 Farm Progress show. Take a look at how we’re maximizing creature comforts in the Steiger cab, and let us know what you think. What’s the best cab design innovation so far? What technology have you adopted that you can’t live without? What do you think will be the next big thing?
It’s not nearly as serious as what Texas is suffering through, but drought in the Midwest remains moderate to severe, and corn yields are lower. The lack of moisture isn’t critical yet, but it’s getting there, says guest blogger Terry Snack, the Case IH combine product specialist for Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. Born and raised on a farm in east central Illinois, Snack went to work for International Harvester at about the same time the first Axial-Flow combine was introduced 35 years ago. In his three-plus decades with the company, Snack still “lives and breathes” combines.
Getting Inside Selective Catalytic Reduction
Using an actual Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) muffler that’s been cut away to reveal its inner workings, Kevin Knapp from Case IH explains the SCR system that can be found in our new Tier 4A 30 Series Axial-Flow combines, as well as our high-horsepower tractors. The system is a model of simplicity and engineering efficiency.
The biggest advantage of SCR as the emissions-reduction technology of choice is what you don’t see. The entire system can be explained without showing the engine at all. That’s because Tier 4 compliance is achieved after combustion, allowing the power plant to be tuned for optimum performance and economy. Kevin probably puts it best when he says, “The engine’s just there to create power, and do it efficiently.”
This is the final video in out two-week series on Efficient Power. Scroll back and visit Case IH at our YouTube channel to see more.
The fact is, no matter how sophisticated the engineering gets, the key to delivering Efficient Power is making it simple and straightforward for the folks who use it every day. That’s what today’s video is all about. We hear from a variety of Case IH customers about their day-to-day, real-world experience with their model year 2011 Tier 4 Steiger and Magnum tractors.
And just what are they saying about their new Tier 4 compliant tractors? Exactly what most producers would want to hear: Simple operation, fuel efficiency, operator friendliness, and importantly, no issues with using Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) for the SCR system. Watch for yourself.
We’ve been the featuring video highlights of the Efficient Power story for more than a week now- scroll down to see our earlier posts, or visit us at our YouTube channel.
It’s one thing when we say it, but we understand when you hear it from a farmer it’s a whole different story. We’re talking about the importance of Efficient Power to a modern operation, and how power, fuel economy, maximum uptime and operator comfort all can help make the most out of every hour of every day.
Today’s video features Brad Ramp of McLean, Illinois, who tells us that when you’re trying to plant “a large amount of acres with a limited amount of equipment,” you can’t afford downtime or operator fatigue. Brad’s 2011 Tier 4 Magnum tractor delivers is efficient, responsive, nonstop power that works as hard as he does. As Brad says, “When it’s time to plant, we’ll run 24 hours a day.”
In the days to come, we’ll have more videos from the field to tell more of the Efficient Power story. To see more right now, visit CaseIH.com/EfficientPower or our YouTube channel.
Hear What Producers are Saying: Case IH Smart Technology
All this week and next, we’re featuring videos highlighting what farmers have to say about Case IH Efficient Power, and how they’re putting it to work on their operations. Today we get feedback about the fuel efficiency in new Tier 4 compliant high-horsepower tractors.
Based on feedback from producers who have purchased new Tier 4 Steiger and Magnum tractors, the adoption of SCR technology for emissions control has led to gratifying gains in both performance and efficiency. While meeting Tier 4 requirements was obviously a requirement, these farmers told us that these engines put power first, delivering both optimum performance and top-notch fuel economy.
Check back for more on the Efficient Power story, or see more right now when you visit CaseIH.com/EfficientPower or our YouTube channel.
