Customer stories

Case IH proves power with 20 years of being on track

21 Jul 2016

​When Ed and Fiona Simson first saw tracked tractors back in the 1990s, they realised the potential for their undulating Liverpool Plains farm. Among the initial owners of the first model, a Case IH Steiger® Quadtrac 9370, their opinion of track technology hasn’t changed.
 
The Simsons farm “The Plantation”, spanning 5,000 hectares at Premer in New South Wales, on the south-west corner of the Plains. They grow wheat, chickpeas, canola and barley in winter, with sorghum and mung beans in summer. They have a 500-breeder commercial Poll Hereford herd. Fiona is also the former president of NSW Farmers.

Ed says, “In the 1990s we were starting to talk about down-slope farming, and had considered using equipment with two tracks, but because we farm up and down over our contour banks, and have a few turns, both the scuffing and the turns were a bit concerning.

“Then Case IH came out with this four-tracked tractor — the Quadtrac — and we looked at it and thought ‘this looks like the go’.

“No one else had them, so we went to a few field days and liked the concept. We thought if we ran the four tracks — not two — along the field — it must be better for traction. So there was only one thing to do: we sold the wheel tractors and bought the Case IH Quadtrac to see how it would go. 

“It was brilliant for us because there was no compaction and no wheel slip. It just disappeared, so we weren’t getting holes dug by wheels pounding, and because there was no slippage, tyre wear became non-existent. The efficiency of the tractor went up and the turning was really good, but on top of that, the comfort and smoothness of the whole tractor were brilliant.”

​“It was brilliant for us because there was no compaction and no wheel slip. It just disappeared, so we weren’t getting holes dug by wheels pounding, and because there was no slippage, tyre wear became non-existent. The efficiency of the tractor went up and the turning was really good, but on top of that, the comfort and smoothness of the whole tractor were brilliant.”

​After nearly 20 years, the Simsons have only just recently replaced that Quadtrac. This time they chose another Case IH tracked tractor: the Steiger® Rowtrac 400.

“We wanted to update because it had served its time pretty well. We went for the Rowtrac for its three-metre track spacings because we are on tramline 3m tracks, and of course it has GPS and all the other refinements. Again the tractor’s ‘pull-ability’, its ability to get the power onto the ground and pull and plant wherever with ease is so useful for us. To pull a 40-foot planter as we do sometimes — or anything large — in those 3m tracks takes a fair bit of doing. It does it. Its efficiency is right up there, and we have that little bit extra of horsepower, little bit extra floatation, little bit extra grip up our sleeve, for when we need it.”

“We have contour banks and other areas that get water in them, but we don’t have to worry, we can go through those without any drama at all, and know we won’t get bogged or slip.

Ed says they knew they would choose track technology again when they needed to replace the Quadtrac.

“I guess it was a bold move to begin with back in ’97, but we thought the Case IH looks good, the concept is good, we liked the articulated tractor, we liked the whole thing, and the four tracks are better than two. It was a bit of a no brainer actually: that was the way we had to go. So when we were looking to buy again, we knew it had to be tracks.”

Ed says the family has always “been red.”

“Our family always had International Harvester machinery, and then we’ve always gone with Case IH. Now, we have two Magnums, an 8120 Axial-Flow combine header and even a little front-end loader Case IH tractor. Everything is Case IH here. Everything is red. I’ve had a few other things but I’ve always gone back to red. We reckon it’s better.”

He says having a good relationship with their dealer, Wideland Ag at Gunnedah, is also important.

“They know what’s going on; they’re not trying to figure it out.

“Knowledge and loyalty sums it up really — but that comes from both sides. You have to be able to get the service, and the service has to be able to look after the customer. It works both ways. And it does.”


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