For 2011, Case IH introduces a new high-horsepower generation of Steiger and Magnum tractors, all equipped to meet the new Tier 4A emission standards.
All Case IH equipment over 100 hp will use Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to meet Tier 4A regs. SCR runs separate from the main engine by treating the exhaust post-combustion. In an SCR system, engine exhaust passes through the catalytic chamber where it’s sprayed with Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), a non-toxic, colorless, odorless mixture of chemical urea and purified water.
When the mixture combines with hot exhaust in the catalytic chamber, it’s broken down into water vapor and nitrogen.
“The tractor’s DEF tank is filled every other fuel fill, and it’s the key to providing fuel efficiency,” says Mitch Kaiser, Case IH marketing manager for Steiger tractors.
Unlike many Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems, the Case IH SCR technology doesn’t recirculate exhaust gas back into the engine. “By avoiding EGR, our Steiger engine doesn’t have to deal with the additional contamination and heat. We also don’t have a diesel particulate filter that needs replacing,” Kaiser explains.
Steiger Tractors
The new lineup, ranging from 390 up to 660 peak engine horsepower, includes three models with a narrower frame for typical row-crop spacing (models 350, 400 and 450).
The wide frame of the Steiger 500HD, 550HD and 600HD models provide heavy-duty drivetrain components. The 600HD offers 670 peak engine horsepower. Plus, the Power Boost function provides extra engine horsepower when it kicks in on steep, hilly roads and still meets the higher PTO and hydraulic power demands of larger implements.
The Steiger 550 and 600 tractors come with heavy 5.5-in. axles and 18-bolt hubs and wheels.
All the Steiger models, except for the smallest, are equipped with 12.9L, Tier 4A-compliant engines with SCR technology. The Steiger 350 features the 8.7L engine.
Besides an upgraded Steiger Surveyor cab with high visibility, the new tractors now come with an exclusive 40°, right-hand swivel seat to minimize neck strain. Also, the tractors come equipped with a new MultiControl Armrest console, which bring tractor operations in one easy-to-operate controller.
The Steiger 450, 500, 550 and 600 are available in the exclusive Case IH Quadtrac configuration, which uses an independent, four-track, positive drive system with articulated steering that turns in the middle of the tractor.
For maximum fuel economy, all Steiger tractors come equipped with DieselSaver Automatic Productivity (APM) to automatically select the best gear and engine speed combination. The driver only needs to select the desired ground speed.
Magnum Tractors
Nine new Case IH Magnum tractors are set to launch with engine horsepowers from 230 to 383, and each will meet new 2011 Tier 4A emission standards with the SCR technology.
“We’re meeting the Tier 4A standards while actually improving fuel efficiency at the same time,” says John Bohnker, marketing manager for Magnum tractors.
The new Magnum 235 through 340 models rely on the 8.7L engine used in the Axial Flow 7120 combine, while the Magnum 180 through 225 models continue with the 6.7L engine. They come with the Power Boost feature, which adds up to an extra 35 hp for road travel or mobile PTO and hydraulic demands.
For operator comfort, a suspended cab option provides a smoother ride. The Magnums also have the MultiControl Armrest console, just like the Steigers.
Case IH also redesigned the hood, front surround frame and cooling system in the larger Magnum models.
There are typically four different cooling units on a tractor, one each for the radiator, hydraulics, air conditioner and turbochargers. “When you stack these, it takes a lot of horsepower to pull air through it,” Bohnker explains. “So for the high-horsepower Magnums we’ve separated three of the four cooling units, which requires less horsepower for cooling.”
In addition, there’s a redesigned rear 3-point hitch and a new front-hitch/front-PTO option for front-mounted implements. The new tractors continue to be built with AFS AccuGuide autoguidance-ready as standard.
September 2010