Products

Productivity boosted as Case IH launches Axial-Flow 250 Series combines

29 Jan 2019

Presenting a number of new features designed to allow operators to more easily maximise machine performance in terms of crop throughput and quality, Case IH has launched its Axial-Flow 250 Series combines in Russia and the CIS.

"The Axial-Flow 250 Series upgrades focus on improving both combine and operator productivity," explains Massimiliano Sala, Case IH harvesting product marketing manager for Asia, Middle East and Africa.

"Our aim has been to aid decision-making and make it easier to adjust the settings, from one end of the combine to the other. In this way, the combine can not only help to enhance an experienced operator's performance, but can also help a less-experienced one to quickly gain confidence and get the most from the machine."

While the Axial-Flow 250 Series sports a new decal design, most of the machine's updates are not visible from the outside, but will deliver and improved driving and harvesting experience.

​New Feedrate Control

Feedrate Control adjusts ground speed based on crop load to cater for a desired outcome – performance to control losses, maximum throughput, or fixed throughput.  The operator sets the target maximum engine load and ground speed, and Feedrate Control will operate up to those limits. The new Feedrate Control system more accurately controls ground speed based on crop and ground drive load, and works in all crop types.

Rotor cage and sieve upgrades

The rear six rotor cage vanes are linked, include a greater range of adjustment, and can also be manually adjusted from ground level. By changing the pitch of the vanes, the crop will move faster or slower through the rotor cage, tuning threshing and separation performance to crop conditions for improved efficiency.

Transmission changes

A new hydrostatic transmission features field and road modes and on-the-move two-speed range control. It provides increased traction and means there is no need to stop and shift while working or travelling on hills. Operated via a scalable multifunction handle speed controller, it features a closed-loop speed control which maintains the set speed in changing ground conditions. Maximum speeds in range one and range two are 18km/hr and 40km/hr respectively, although reduced maximums can be set according to operator preference and field conditions.

With a reduced need to change ranges, and controllable maximum speeds for in-field travel to the headland, downtime is cut and harvesting time increased.

Complemented by uprated hydraulic drives, the transmission upgrade boosts gradeability when road travelling by 36 per cent. Meanwhile, a new differential lock upgrade replaces the previous mechanical pedal with a floor-mounted electrical button, and braking moves from an external disc to internal oil-cooled brake, reducing required pedal pressure for the same braking effort and enhancing the cooling required in situations where continuous braking is needed.

Feeder/intake elevator upgrades

In addition to the existing feeder/intake elevator lift capacities of 5.2 tonnes, a new 6.1 tonne lift capacity is available on the largest Axial-Flow models, to enable them to handle 13.5m draper heads and 18-row corn heads. Factory-fit dual lateral tilt can now also help to provide enhanced control of 13.5m draper heads.

A new optional in-cab-controlled face plate fore-aft feature allows the operator to alter the header fore-aft angle, with a total of 11.9 degrees of angular tilt to improve harvesting efficacy in both low-growing crops like beans and high-growing crops. Header height control function upgrades mean improved responsiveness and flotation, plus adjustable return-to-cut and resume lower rates.

Ground Speed Adaptive Sensitivity (GRAS) automatically adjusts header height sensitivity as forward speeds increase and decrease, to keep the header stable yet responsive. As an example, when sensitivity is set high for changing terrain and the operator slows combine forward speed, the system sensitivity will also drop in the background to keep the header stable. The sensitivity setting, though, will remain at the high set-point, so when the operator is able to return to the previous forward speed, the header remains responsive.

AFS Connect availability

Our factory-fit telemetry, AFS Connect, allows two-way file transfer between combine and office PC via a web portal. All combines are prewired and have antennae to receive the required modem. Where a combine is ordered as telematics-ready, it will have the modem fitted. All that is required for the full telematics version is an unlock code. The modem is initialised from the factory, while the subscription must be purchased through the authorised Case IH dealer.

Model year 2019 Case IH Axial-Flow 250 Series combines offer significant technology, durability and productivity enhancements. At the same time, they preserve the simplicity, grain saving and grain quality performance for which Axial-Flow has a well-established reputation.