Case IH Research Articles

Determinants of agricultural tractor selection - assessment from the perspective of a supplier of vehicles and means of transport used in agriculture

The subject of the research described in the presented study are the determinants of the selection of agricultural tractors. The research was conducted from the perspective of suppliers of vehicles and means of transport used in agriculture. Its fundamental aim was an attempt to answer the question concerning factors that are crucial from the buyer's perspective and determine their decision to choose a specific tractor. Achieving the main goal required identifying and defining factors conditioning the decision-making process (the multi-criteria model), which was validated later in the study (the assessment of the significance of requirements). Such an approach enabled conclusions and recommendations regarding the method and direction of improvement in the range of offered tractors and related logistic customer service processes. The main burden of the study fell on desk research analysis including the overview of available literature and documentation sources as well as an expert debate (the method of competent judges). In order to transfer the issue to the level of the agricultural machinery sector - through an interview among a deliberately selected group of suppliers of vehicles and means of transport used in agriculture (including New Holland, Claas, Fendt, John Deer, Kubota, Deutz Fahr, Case IH, Massey Ferguson, Zetor, Farmtrac Tractors Europe) – the importance of determinants was clarified (the hierarchy of importance).

AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION EVOLUTION: the journey of mechanizing harvesters and tractors - a study focusing on CASE IH® machinery

The research presents an analysis of the evolution of agricultural mechanization, focusing on the tractors and harvesters of the brand CASE IH®. CASE IH® has a deep-rooted history in American agriculture, resulting from the merger of several pioneering companies in the early 20th century. Since then, it has played a crucial role in the global evolution of agriculture, offering high-quality equipment that has transformed agricultural work methods. The present study aims to: present the evolution of machinery in agriculture, emphasizing innovation and technology over time, and demonstrate the progression of CASE IH® brand tractors and harvesters. This research has a basic nature and adopts a qualitative approach with descriptive and exploratory objectives, using the method of narrative literature review through bibliographic research. The evolution of agricultural mechanization has had a significant impact on the productivity and efficiency of the agricultural sector. CASE IH® demonstrates its commitment to efficiency and sustainability by introducing technologies such as the Advanced Farming System (AFS) and the Continuously Variable Transmission. This research underscores the importance of understanding this evolution to envision the future potential of agriculture and the opportunities that may arise.

Creating a Coherent Design Language

From Case IH’s Steiger 715 Quadtrac to its smallest Farmall Electric, David Wilkie explores how to maintain aesthetic consistency

Celebrating the One for All

Case IH’s all-purpose, iconic Farmall tractor reaches its centenary. We trace its history, from humble beginnings to mainstay of the Case brand

ANALYSIS IN DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSMISSIONS FOR MODERN WHEELED TRACTORS

The increase in the production of agricultural food products leads to the creation of energy-rich wheeled tractors, which are able to realize the power of the engine by increasing the speed of movement (productivity) or traction characteristics. But this direction of development has a counterbalance in environmental protection actions. So, in the European Union, emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, solid particles, etc. are limited for off - road vehicles. The outlined directions of development are of a contradictory nature, so tractor manufacturers are trying to create transmission units designed to meet the performance and environmental needs of a wheeled tractor. Therefore, the material of this article aims to analyze the technical solutions of the world's tractor manufacturers in the construction of transmissions of wheeled tractors. When solving the set goal, a technique was used, which involved analysis by the method of torque transformation (stepped and stepless) and the principle of action (mechanical, hydraulic, electric). As a result, the models of such tractor manufacturers as: Case IH, Claas, Deutz-Fahr, Fendt, John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Steyr, Valtra were analyzed. The practical significance of the work lies in the provision of recommendations on current technologies for the construction of transmissions of wheeled tractors.

CONSIDERAŢII PRIVIND VIBRAŢIILE TRANSMISE OPERATORULUI DE O COMBINĂ CU FLUX AXIAL

Vibrations are dynamic phenomena occurring in elastic or quasi-elastic media after a local excitation and becoming manifested by propagating the excitation within the medium in the form of some elastic oscillations. Thus, depending on the phenomenon dynamics, there can be met vibrations with low variation frequencies, characteristic to the mechanical structures, structures in constructions and earthquake waves, as well as vibrations with high variation frequencies. The vibration measuring is performed on a straw cereal harvesting machine with an axial threshing apparatus ("CASE IH") in two conditions: in a stationary position and during work, by using transducers for each of the main working parts of the harvester: thresher, header (stripper), chassis and operator's chair. On the basis of the values of longitudinal, cross and vertical accelerations, measured at various frequencies in the two operating conditions of the harvester (at stationary and during work), the effect of the vibrations is established on each of these parts and, finally, cumulated, the vibrations sent to the operator's chair, the nomograms following to be traced and to be established the range with the limits up to which these are not dangerous for the operator's health.

Automation: A New Dawn

Since 2016 Case IH’s magnum tractor autonomous concept vehicle has been celebrated as a signpost to the future, but with passing years some began to doubt the vision. Now, as the oem launches an industy-first autonomous spreader, a new chapter in real-world autonomy has finally begun

Effect of tillage implement (spring tine cultivator, disc harrow), soil texture, forward speed and tillage depth on fuel consumption and tillage quality

Over the years, tillage became less intense due to environmental safety requirements in order to minimize fuel and labour time. Mostly, this is achieved by reducing the depth of tillage. However, highly cut winter rape stubble is the main challenge for reduced tillage to prepare clear soil, especially as the summer droughts intensify. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal tillage performances of the spring tine cultivator and compact disc harrow and establish the fuel consumption required to achieve the preferred level of soil structure formation and residue incorporation on loam and clay loam soil after a rape harvest. The fuel consumption depends on the desired level of soil tillage intensity, implement type, tillage depth (5 and 8 cm), and forward speed (1.4, 1.9, 2.5, 3.1, and 3.6 m∙s-1). The tractor “CASE IH 135” was instrumented with an additional data acquisition system and was used to perform the indicators of stubble tillage. The research examines the dependence of the tractor-implement regime mode on the soil aggregate ratio, which varied from 0.10 to 0.21, and the residue interblending ratio, which varied from 0.60 to 0.96. The relationship was established by obtaining the tillage quality level and reduced fuel consumption, which varied from 3.4 to 5.9 L·ha-1, depending on soil type. Minimization of fuel consumption and sufficient quality of oilseed rape stubble cultivation was achieved by reducing the depth but not the speed of tillage.

Evaluation and selection of machine-tractor units during cultivation by energy costs

The materials on evaluation and selection of machine-tractor units by the criteria of minimization of their production and operation costs (total specific energy intensity of MTU for its production and operation) and maximum productivity in carrying out the technological process of soil cultivation are presented. It has been established that the range of technological machines for carrying out the technological process "cultivation" with the power of mobile power plants up to 110 hp is determined by cultivators such as KPS-4, KBM-4.2 type using tractors JD5620, AGCO MF3640, UMZ-6, LTZ 95B, JD6020, MTZ-80/82, MTZ-920, Belarus 900, Belarus-921, Belarus-923, Deutz Agrofarm 430 and MTZ-1025. They have the total specific energy intensity of use with the designated technological machines at the minimum level, and the productivity at the maximum. In the power range of tractors from 110 to 145 hp it is advisable to use cultivators KSHU-5, KSHU-6, KPS-8P with mobile power tools New Holland T6050 Delta, CASE IH Maxxum 125, JD 6130D, JD 6135, MTZ-1221, Belarus 1220, LTZ-155 and MTZ-1222, which also have the maximum productivity at the minimum level of the total specific energy consumption for their production and operation. It has been found that when using cultivators of the type KSHU-12, KBM-7.2P, KBM-10.8P, Leader-6N, APC-7,2, RTS1831, KPO-7.2, KORUND 8/900 (power of the energy means up to 150-210 hp), according to the indicated efficiency criteria, it is advisable to use tractors T–150K, MTZ-1523, HTZ-121, HTA 200- 10, Belarus 1525, HTZ 17221, Terrion ATM 3180, Deutz Fahr Agrotron 165.7, JD 7030, ATM 4200 Terrion, MTZ-2022. It has been established that for the use of cultivators Leader-7.2N, Leader-8, according to the indicated criteria for minimizing energy consumption and maximum productivity, tractors with a power of up to 210-240 hp like JD 7830, JD 7930, New Holland 7060, Deutz Fahr Agrotron L720 DCR, Claas Axion 850 are required.

Method for Determining Grain Losses Behind the Combine Header and Thresher During Soybean Harvesting

It was noted that in waterlogged soil conditions, the existing methods for assessing field grain losses when harvesting soybeans using low-cut headers are not always suitable. (Research purpose) To improve the methodology for assessing soybean losses during harvesting in the waterlogged soil conditions, using the possibility of sampling them separately behind the header and thresher of the combine. (Materials and methods) The methodological approach was based on: the impact of crop heterogeneity; the principle of adequate accuracy in loss assessment, regardless of soil conditions during harvesting; accessibility, simplicity and minimal labor intensity of the method; the possibility of differentiating grain losses behind the header to identify their main sources. Three main loss zones were identified and the characteristics of their sources were considered. The authors presented a scheme for applying square metal frames with a 1-meter side length on crops and on a harvested field area after the passage of the combine. The authors described the sequence of laboratory and field assessment and formulae for determining natural grain losses, losses behind the header and their types, soybean losses behind the thresher and total losses behind the combine. (Results and discussion) A methodology for soybean loss assessment was developed and tested during the trial of the Case IH AF6140 combine with a New Holland 740CF-30DD(SF) header. It was found out that this combine meets all the norms for soybean grain losses at a combine speed of 6 kilometers per hour. Loose grains were revealed to be the largest share of losses behind the header. To further mitigate losses, it was proposed to control the number of reel revolutions. (Conclusions) We have developed a technical approach and an algorithm for grain loss assessment with the use of rigid metal frames, which ensures high reliability, efficiency and lower labor intensity when considering losses and calculating actual and permissible (from biological yield) values for the specific and relative soybean losses behind a header and combine harvester as a whole.

Using arable units with tractors of traction class 1.4 of different power

The article presents the results of analytical studies of the traction characteristics of wheeled tractors with a power of 50-75 kW located in the same traction class 1.4. Empirical expressions are obtained for the dependence of the tractive effort of the Case IH Farmall JX 1090U, Challenger MT 425, Massey Ferguson 4225, New Holland TD 5030 MTZ-80, MTZ-82 tractors on the travel speed. The dependence of the traction resistance of a three-body plow PLN-3-35 on the speed of movement, aggregated with tractors of traction class 1.4, has been determined. As a result of the graphic-analytical analysis, the optimal loading mode for each tractor was established when working with a PLN-35 plow, 1.05 m wide at a depth of 0.30 m. The hourly productivity of arable units and the energy intensity of the main moldboard tillage are determined. A comparison of the obtained operational indicators is given.

ПІДВИЩЕННЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ЗАХОДІВ ЛОГІСТИКИ ШЛЯХОМ ПОБУДОВИ РОБОТИЗОВАНИХ ЕЛЕКТРОМЕХАНІЧНИХ ТЯГАЧІВ НА ОСНОВІ ТОПОЛОГІЧНИХ ПЕРЕТВОРЕНЬ І ЛОКАЛЬНОГО МАСШТАБУВАННЯ ПРОТОТИПІВ

The article considers the problems related to the need to develop for the Armed Forces of Ukraine specialized robotic transport equipment for the military logistics system, namely – electromechanical tractors with high specific performance, capable of providing not only fast and covert delivery of weapons, military and special equipment, ammunition and personnel to the places of combat operations, but also the evacuation of the wounded and damaged equipment from the battlefield. Methods of realization of the set tasks on the basis of use of topological transformations and local scaling prototype are offered robotic tractor without a cabin Case IH Concept with a power plant a diesel engine with a power of 308 kW, a maximum speed of up to 50 km/ h and four double support-driving wheels of two different diameters. Topological transformations have shown the possibility of equipping a robotic, reduced in scale 1: 2 compared to the real prototype, a large-scale copy of an electromechanical tractor with high specific performance based on composite platforms of triangular generating autonomous blocks-modules. Modular structuring of the basic element of the platform of a specialized electromechanical tractor of military logistics from traction functional blocks-modules in the form of triangular autonomous units of multimodal transport provides their implementation as real three-wheeled electric motorcycles, which are fully suitable for autonomous practical application. Keywords: logistics, robotic electromechanical tractor, robotic tractor without a cabin, functional blocks-modules, topological transformations, triangular transport platform, autonomous generating element, autonomous drive modules, local scaling, support-driving wheels, electrochemical power sources, Li-ion batteries.

Estimated losses in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) harvest according to the speed and rotation of the trail system

The soybean crop (Glycine max. (L.) Merril) shows strong participation in the Brazilian economy. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to quantify the losses in the cutting and feeding platform and in the trail system in mechanized soybean harvest by analyzing different speed and rotation adjustments of the trailing cylinder. The experiment was carried out in a commercial soybean plot on a farm located in the municipality of Brejo (MA), during the 2017/2018 harvest. The harvester evaluated was a Case IH 8120, with a maximum power of 34.2 kW, axial flow system, and 12.2-m platform equipped with a conveyor system (draper). The experiment was conducted in two different areas. Area 1 was planted with the Brasmax® Opus (BMX Opus) cultivar, while area 2 was cultivated with the BRS 9383 cultivar. The treatments consisted of three machine speeds (4 km h-¹, 6 km h-¹, and 7 km h-¹), associated with the rotation levels of 500 rpm and 800 rpm in the trail system. The experimental design used was randomized blocks in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, with four replications. For the BMX Opus cultivar, harvest losses did not influence the travel speeds and rotations evaluated in the experiment due to the marked instability within the treatments. The BRS 9383 cultivar showed satisfactory results at a speed of 4 km h-1 combined with a rotation of 800 rpm, which obtained acceptable numbers for the soybean harvest (54.09 kg ha-1).

ANALYSIS OF THE FIELD EFFICIENCY OF SUGARCANE HARVESTERS

Field efficiency is a main factor for obtaining high productivity of agricultural machinery. The aim of this paper was to determine the field efficiency of KTP 2M and CASE IH 8000 sugarcane harvester machines, working with different lengths of cutting fronts. The research was carried out in the Panchito Gómez Toro area of production, belonging to Sugar Enterprise, Villa Clara, during February and March 2020. The main movement times of the harvester inside the field was obtained by stop watch, as well as the fuel consumption during the works. The influence of the length of the cutting fronts on the turning time, time for completing the task and field efficiency were determined according to the sugarcane yield. The results show that lengths of cutting front less than 300 m, represent greater losses in time and higher rate of fuel consumption.Lengths of cutting fronts greater than 500 m, do not represent an increase in field efficiency.

Trends in the development of threshing and separating systems of combine harvesters

Annotation Purpose. Research of the efficiency of using combine harvesters, designs of threshing, analysis of the trends of their development, increasing the power of the engines and the improvement of design and technological parameters. Methods. Analytical studies were conducted to determine the use of combine harvesters due to a combination of development, design and technological parameters of combines from engine power. Results. An analysis shows that intensive processes in the production of combine harvesters over the past 20 years have led to the formation of powerful manufacturing corporations – companies “Claas”, “John Deere”, “New Holland”, “Deutz Fahr”, “CASE IH”, “Massey Ferguson”, “Fiatagri”, “JSC Rostsilmash”, “Fendt”, “Gomsilmash” “PALESSE”, “MDW”, etc., which unite numerous enterprises of equipment manufacturers in different countries of the world. According to the engine power, the designs of modern combine harvesters are divided into 12 groups of 50 hp up to 800 hp. Conclusions. According to the results of the research, it is established that the most common today is the traditional threshing and separating device (threshing drum + beater), which is used by almost all leading companies-manufacturers of combine harvesters, except “CASE IH”. At the same time, there is an expansion of production of combines with axial-rotary schemes, which are characterized by versatility, versatility, energy saving when harvesting different crops. There is a constant dynamic increase in the power of combines. So if in 2000 the engine power of combine harvesters was 200–220 kW, in 2010 – in the range of 350–400 kW, today this figure in the combines of leading manufacturers-reached 770 kW (Claas Lexion 780 Terra Trac, John Deere X9 1100, Massey Ferguson IDEAL 7, New Holland CX 8090, FENDT IDEAL 9T). The increase in the capacity of combine harvesters occurs with the simultaneous improvement of the designs of the threshing and separating device. Keywords: combine harvesters, threshing and separating device, construction, power, engine, and tendency.

Availability Modeling of Sugarcane Harvesting System by Using Markov Chain

Sugarcane, as an important industrial crop, is always considered as one of the strategic commodity and supported by governments. One of the most important repairable systems in agro-industrial companies is a sugarcane harvester machine. The failures of this machine cause a delay in operations and reduce product yield and quality. This machine has a key role in sugarcane harvesting operations of the agro-industries. Availability of sugarcane harvester machine was determined by using the Markov chain method which is a robust probabilistic method according to the actual conditions of the sugarcane harvesting system in the agro-industries. The methodology outlined in this study has been utilized to 12 sugarcane harvester machines, namely CASE IH Austoft 7000. According to the results, harvesting system availability was calculated as 87.5%, 86.4%, 95.3%, and 90.4% for the first, second, third, and fourth harvesting groups, respectively. For these groups, the down probability of the system is evaluated to be 12.5%, 13.6%, 4.7%, and 9.6%, respectively. On average, the down probability was 10.1%, meaning that the machine will not be available at 10.1% of days at harvesting season. Due to the high sensitivity of the crop that delayed harvesting, agro-industry managers should try to reduce this amount by increasing system reliability and optimizing planned maintenance activities to decrease scheduled downs that have a direct effect on harvest time.

Prediction of Yield Productivity Zones from Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2A/B and Their Evaluation Using Farm Machinery Measurements

Yield is one of the primary concerns for any farmer since it is a key to economic prosperity. Yield productivity zones—that is to say, areas with the same yield level within fields over the long-term—are a form of derived (predicted) data from periodic remote sensing, in this study according to the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). The delineation of yield productivity zones can (a) increase economic prosperity and (b) reduce the environmental burden by employing site-specific crop management practices which implement advanced geospatial technologies that respect soil heterogeneity. This paper presents yield productivity zone identification and computing based on Sentinel-2A/B and Landsat 8 multispectral satellite data and also quantifies the success rate of yield prediction in comparison to the measured yield data. Yield data on spring barley, winter wheat, corn, and oilseed rape were measured with a spatial resolution of up to several meters directly by a CASE IH harvester in the field. The yield data were available from three plots in three years on the Rostěnice Farm in the Czech Republic, with an overall acreage of 176 hectares. The presented yield productivity zones concept was found to be credible for the prediction of yield, including its geospatial variations.

Mechanization and agricultural farm structure in the agricultural area of the Dardanelles region

This study was conducted to determine the current mechanization in agricultural farms of the Bayramic-Ezine-Kumkale agricultural plains, in Canakkale (Dardanelles) region of west of Turkey. For this purpose, a questionnaire was carried out for 401 farms capable of growing both field and horticulture crops. Results indicated that each farm having small size characteristic has at least one tractor, but 19.20% of farms had more than one tractor. The status of having one (91.67%) or more (41.67%) tractors in a farm was higher in Bayramic, due to field and horticulture crops, than both others. However, the highest number of tractors was recorded in Kumkale farms (60.00%), followed by Ezine (31.65%) and Bayramic (8.35%). Most of them are young, but 12.00% are older than 24-year, especially Massey Ferguson-135, Universal and Fiat (54C, 480). The most used tractor brand has been New Holland (32.15%), followed by Massey Ferguson (18.99%), Fiat (9.11%), John Deere (8.10%), Case IH (7.85%), Same (5.05%), Deutz (4.05%), Steyr (3.54%), Valtra (2.28%) and others (Ford, Hattat, Erkunt, Basak, Tumosan, Universal, Kubota and Landini). On average three-plain, 77.03% of farms were preferred to purchase the new tractors, 22.97% preferred the second-hand ones. Tractor was 0.99 per farm, but it was the highest in Ezine (1.17). Agricultural area per tractor was 117 decare on average three-plain, the highest for Kumkale (136 decare) and the lowest for Ezine (83 decare tractor-1). Machinery per tractor was 7.67 for all farms, but Kumkale (8.78) had the highest, and then followed by Bayramic (6.58) and Ezine (5.87).

Comparative evaluation of seeding spring wheat methods when using different types of coulters

The studies were carried out with the aim of identifying the most effective method for sowing spring wheat for the Pre-Baikal region through a comparative study of sowing machines of domestic and foreign production with different types of openers according to the backgrounds of dump, non-dump and zero tillage. The research was carried out on the basis of advanced farms in the Irkutsk region, widely using modern sowing units in 2016-2018 on typical gray forest loamy soils. In experiments, in comparison with the SZ-3,6 seeder, the Case IH Concord 2000, John Deere 1830, Morris Concept 2000, Tom-10 sowing complexes were studied, providing strip-spread, tape, single-line sowing with paw, anchor and disk coulters. As a result, it was found that the application of the band-spread method of sowing with the Concord 2000, John Deere 1830, Morris Concept 2000 sowing complexes increases the field germination of spring wheat seeds by 10-20%, plant standing density by 34-42%, and yield by 0.38- 0.47 t/ha. An increase in the depth of seed placement to 5-6 cm led to an increase in the yield of wheat by 0.16 t/ha when sowing SZ-3.6; 0.26 t/ha when sowing John Deere 1830; 0.23 t/ha when sowing Concord 2000. In the pre-Baikal agricultural sector, to increase the yield of grain crops, it is advisable instead of the ordinary method of sowing with the SZ-3.6 seeders to apply the tape and strip-spread methods of sowing with the paw and anchor coulters both for dump and for subsurface processing and for direct sowing. The most promising sowing machines are the sowing complexes Concord 2000, John Deere 1830, Morris Concept 2000 and their domestic counterparts Kuzbass-8.5.

Performance Assessment of a Variable-Rate Fertilizer Applicator

The objective of this study was to test the performance of a Field-IQ sprayer control system which was interfaced with a John Deere liquid fertilizer applicator. The sprayer control system includes Case IH FM-1000 display integrated with DGPS, Field-IQ spray control with full harness, flowmeter and auto-range valve, and the pump. Tap water was used to simulate the UAN 32% nitrogen fertilizer solution in the test. A total of 120 samples from 8 rows of the applicator in 5 application rates (34, 67, 101, 135, and 168 kg/ha) were collected, and the data were analyzed for application uniformity and application rate accuracy of the system. Results showed the greatest variation from the application rate baseline among the rows was 10.1% and occurred at a swath-end row with the lowest application rate of 34 kg/ha. The rows in the middle section of the swath had the lower variation than the rows at the two swath-ends. The application uniformity increased as the application rate increased. The absolute error of application rate ranged from 1.3% to 6.5% with an average of 3.76%. There was no significant difference between the selected application rate and actual application rate (p > 0.8686).