New Combines Even Kinder To Operator And Crop

The three new 250-series Axial-Flow combines launched recently by Case IH offer a number of new automated features designed to allow operators to maximise crop throughput and quality. Denene Erasmus attended a media event in Dresden, Germany, where the machines were put on display.

- Denene Erasmus

The benefits of smart-built mega machines for the farmer extend beyond the obvious. By increasing efficiency, these workhorses can help decrease overall production cost over the long term. The mechanisms that power them have been carefully designed to limit wastage and deliver a better quality, more uniform crop.

New-generation machines such as the Case IH Axial-Flow 250-series combine harvesters, which replace the existing 7240, 8240 and 9240 models, have also been designed to be a sympathetic ally to the operator.

“The 250-series Axial-Flow upgrades focus on improving both combine and operator productivity,” says August von Eckardstein, Case IH harvesting product marketing manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Our aim has been to aid decision-making and make front-to-rear settings easier for a particular desired outcome. In this way, the combine can help to enhance an experienced operator’s performance as well as assist a less-experienced one to quickly gain confidence and get the most from the machine.”

NEW AFS HARVEST COMMAND AUTOMATION

The key improvement seen in the new 7250, 8250 and 9250 Axial-Flow combines is the trademarked AFS Harvest Command automation system. This completely new technology package uses 16 sensor inputs to continuously monitor the machine, and adjusts seven separate settings to maximise performance.

Managed through an in-cab terminal, the automation system can work with wheat, canola, maize or soya bean. Simply by making a few selections according to crop type and conditions, the operator can set the machine to achieve a desired outcome.