RACINE, Wis. — The unparalleled, proven technology of the Case IH Steiger® Quadtrac™ will now be available in the new 2013 Steiger Rowtrac™.
“Case IH extends its track technology leadership with the new Steiger
Rowtrac, proving again that four tracks are superior to two in row-crop
applications,” says Mitch Kaiser, Case IH Steiger Marketing Manager. “Customers
told us they wanted a Steiger Quadtrac with more flexibility for more jobs,
while maintaining the power, performance and innovation they’ve come to expect.
The Case IH four-track, positive-drive system is the only factory-integrated
drive system of its kind in the world. It puts more power to the ground,
improves traction and simplifies transport, allowing users to cover more ground
in less time, even when field conditions are less-than-optimum.”
Adaptability and Versatility
The Steiger Rowtrac will be one of the highest horsepower, tracked row-crop
tractors in the market with the capacity to pull larger implements. It will have
the advantages of Quadtrac technology for both primary and secondary tillage and
field applications, including planting, side-dressing, fertilizing and specialty
applications. In fact, the narrow track, with adjustable row spacing will easily
adapt to North American row-crop farming applications. Available in three models
– 350, 400 and 450 – Case IH has a tractor to fit the needs of every farming
situation.
More Power to the Ground
Four tracks transfer more power to the ground than two, and the Steiger
Rowtrac will provide more options and greater flexibility for customers. With
equal-sized, independent, oscillating drives on all four corners, farmers can
get in their fields sooner, especially in adverse field conditions. The
wheelbase has been extended from 154 to 160 inches, so each track has more
ground contact, resulting in better transfer of power to the ground. In
addition, the unique design delivers less ground pressure, better traction and
the most comfortable ride in the industry.
“Better traction helps reduce compaction by minimizing slippage on the soil
surface,” says Kaiser. “Compared to two-track systems, operators will see no
ridging or berming in turns. In addition, each track drive oscillates up and
down up to 10 degrees to maintain consistent ground contact no matter what the
conditions. Not only will farmers be able to plant seed sooner, but the seed
will have a better environment in which to germinate and develop strong root
systems that extend down into the soil area, with better access to nutrients.
Less in-row compaction translates to earlier emergence of crops and the
opportunity for increased yields.”
Although the Rowtrac suspension looks similar to that of the Quadtrac, it is
uniquely different. On each end of the roller beam, a mount controls pitch roll
and yaw along with some vertical load, and two mounts in the center handle the
primary vertical load. While the tractor is oscillating in the middle, each
track moves independently. The exclusive Case IH design fits in a very narrow
undercarriage width for row-crop applications.
Greater Flexibility
The Steiger Rowtrac gives operators more adaptability and versatility for
different cropping systems, with 20-inch, 22-inch, 30-inch and 40-inch row-crop
spacing options, and the track width to suit many types of operations.
The undercarriage features a new advanced suspension system. Rubber “donuts”
act like shock absorbers and keep the suspension from shifting from side to
side, which helps the tractor remain accurate on the row. The new track
suspension system allows for operation in a variety of row-crop planting,
side-dressing, fertilizing, tillage and specialty applications.
The Steiger Rowtrac’s architecture is designed with a small overall size and
packaging in mind for excellent visibility and a tight turning radius, so the
Quadtrac four-track, positive-drive system is highly maneuverable in the field.
It also is very transportable on the road for farmers with large operations and
several locations to manage.
Increased Efficiency
The Steiger Rowtrac provides increased traction with a narrow footprint to
perform well in a variety of row-spacing applications. At the same time, the
operator can maintain a narrow transport width for faster travel to the next
field location, which shortens travel time and increases efficiency.
“Steiger tractors are famous around the world for superior power and
performance, no matter what the conditions,” notes Kaiser. “The new Rowtrac 350,
400 and 450 tractors continue that heritage with a convenient size and
configuration to match every farm operation’s high-horsepower needs.
“Thanks to a best-in-class engine, every Steiger Rowtrac delivers power and
responsiveness, even in the most demanding applications,” he continues. “With
the unique Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) emissions system operating
outside the engine, Tier 4 Case IH FPT high-horsepower engines burn an average
of 10 percent less fuel than comparable Tier 3 models. Plus, oil-change
intervals have been lengthened to 600 hours. This gives operators powerful,
smart, simple technology to get more done with fewer inputs, while still
providing the Efficient Power they need for maximum performance.”
Like other Steiger models, the Rowtrac machines have Power Boost to provide
extra power when needed with hydraulics, PTO, during transport and in other
challenging conditions. New features provide even more flexibility: the
113-gallon-
per-minute parallel flow hydraulic system for use with a
three-point-hitch and PTO offers increased efficiency and adaptability for more
planting and grain-cart applications.
In addition, the patented Rowtrac system uses independent, same-size tracks
to deliver more power to the ground, so users experience less slippage with
large planters and tillage applications. Operators can get more done with less
horsepower.
The Steiger Rowtrac offers:
- Best-in-class fuel economy and operating cost leadership with Tier 4 Case
IH FPT engines
- The industry’s heaviest frame – welded using 1/2-inch-thick steel – to
handle heavy tillage equipment
- Superior hydraulics with a 113-gallon-per-minute flow to easily handle the
largest planters and seeders