A Case IH Maxxum 145 Multicontroller equipped with the company’s new ActiveDrive 8 transmission has achieved the lowest specific fuel consumption ever recorded for a four-cylinder tractor in the PowerMix test conducted by Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft (DLG, the German Agricultural Society).
Named Machine Of The Year 2018 at Agritechnica, the new model achieved an average specific fuel consumption of 258g/kWh in the Field Work section of the test, almost 9.5 per cent less than the 282g/kWh recorded by its nearest competitor.
The test was carried out at the DLG Test Center near Frankfurt using the DLG PowerMix Roller stand. The facility is the world’s most efficient for measuring the complete tractor system, because engineers can replicate real field work conditions.
On the basis of typical tractor workloads, DLG has defined 14 load cycles, under which the vehicle’s overall fuel and AdBlue consumption, performance and ultimately energy efficiency are determined. The cycles reflect typical field and transport work under partial and full loads.
Tests cover pure pulling work, for example with a plough or cultivator, as well as mixed work with the PTO shaft and hydraulic system, as with a rotary manure spreader or baler. Heavy and light transport tasks are also reproduced to obtain an overall picture of the tractor’s energy efficiency in use. The results are summarised in the respected Powermix figure, providing an accurate assessment of the fuel efficiency of different makes and models of tractor under practical conditions.
The Maxxum 145 Multicontroller is powered by a 4.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged and intercooled FPT engine that meets EU Stage IV emissions regulations using the Hi-eSCR selective catalytic reduction system. The maximum power output is is 175hp with Power Management.
In the DLG PowerMix test, the Maxxum recorded an average Field Work fuel consumption figure of 258g/kWh, with specific consumption ranging from 230g/kWh when operating a rotary harrow at 100 per cent load to 302g/kWh with a baler.
A key factor in the result was the tractor’s ActiveDrive 8 transmission, a new 24×24 semi-powershift that provides eight powershift steps in each of three ranges. The transmission can now be specified on all Maxxum Multicontroller tractors from 116hp to 145hp as an alternative to ActiveDrive 4, a four-step 16×16 40km/hr semi-powershift system, and the continuously variable 50km/hr CVXDrive continuously-variable (CVT) transmission.
With features that make the tractor more efficient and more relaxing to drive, ActiveDrive 8 is suited to power-hungry tasks where maintaining momentum is critical, such as cultivations or operating large mowers, because the clutch pedal is not required to change gear.
Range One of ActiveDrive 8, which covers speeds up to 10.2km/hr and is designed for heavier draft work and applications requiring very low speeds, is also available with additional creep speeds. Range Two, covers nearly 90 per cent of field, grassland and loader requirements, allowing the tractor to work under full load, without any torque disruption, from 1.6-18.1km/hr. For road travel, the transmission is designed to be able to start in Range Three; a Smart Range Change function allows quick progress through the ranges, up to the third which allows ground speeds up to 50km/hr.
The product marketing director at Case IH, Vincent Hazenberg, said he was delighted with the DLG report.
“These tests are completely independent, set the standard for testing agricultural machinery and are highly respected by farmers throughout the world,”he added. “Fuel costs are now a major consideration for all farmers, so maximising its efficiency is essential to help minimise production costs.
“The DLG test proves that our new Maxxum 145 Multicontroller with the innovative ActiveDrive 8 transmission offers farmers clear benefits in this area.”
For more information visit: www.caseih.com.
