Case IH axial-flow combines

Last updated
Case IH 7140 rotary harvester with corn header with cutaway showing rotary threshing mechanism Case IH 7140 rotary harvester with corn front with cutaway showing rotary threshing mechanism.jpg
Case IH 7140 rotary harvester with corn header with cutaway showing rotary threshing mechanism

Case IH axial-flow combines (also known as rotary harvesters) are a type of combine harvester that has been manufactured by International Harvester, and later Case International, Case Corporation, and CNH Global, used by farmers to harvest a wide range of grains around the world.

Contents

Introduced in 1977, these harvesters marked a departure from traditional combine harvester design, in that threshing and separation was performed mainly by a rotor, as opposed to the drum and straw walker type models used previously. This is shown in the image at right, where the bulk of the processing area is devoted to a cylinder, that spins and threshes grain from the grain heads and allows for far greater capacity than the previous drum and walker design of harvester. This increase in capacity has led to a significant productivity increase of harvesters and therefore farmers who use them. [1]

The rotary design by International Harvester was the first of its kind to be mass-produced and its patent over the design gave IH a competitive advantage over its rivals, including John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and others.

Models

The following is a summary of the model development of the Case IH harvester to the present day. [2]

The 14 series

International Harvester had launched the 15 series of conventional combine harvesters in 1968. In 1977, after extensive engineering efforts and a bottom up design, IH released the 1440 and 1460 models of rotary harvester. In 1978, the larger model 1480 was released, as well as the specialty models 1470 (for hillside operation), and the 1482, designed to be pulled behind a tractor with PTO capability. Further models were introduced as the series was developed including the 1420 in 1980.

The 16 series

In 1985, International Harvester and Case Corporation merged.

The 16 series was the first harvester series released by the new Case International and was an upgrade to the 14 series rather than a replacement. All models of the 14 series had 16 series equivalents, in the 1620, 1640, 1660, 1670, 1680 and 1682. In 1990, Case IH enlarged the cleaning area of the combines by using a longer shoe sieve, change decal styling, and removed the old IH diesel engine and replaced with a CDC engine. The CDC engines were made by Consolidated Diesel Corporation which was company 50% owned by Case IH and 50% owned by Cummins. The CDC engine designs were essentially identical to Cummins engines. The older combines are easy to tell apart from the newer machines due to the model number decal being around 2 feet by 1 foot in size and being placed directly below the top of the grain bin on each side.

The 16-4/6/8 series

Released in 1993 and 1994, the 16 series was again upgraded to the 16-4/6/8 series. Models included the 1644, 1666 and 1688, and incorporated many changes to improve processing capacity.

The 21 series

Tenneco demerged Case IH in 1995 and the new Case Corporation released the 21 series combine harvesters, comprising the 2144, 2166, 2188. These models represented a significant step forward in the model design featuring improved operator comfort, higher power engines and a range of other productivity and user ease improvements.

The 23/25 series

Making incremental improvements on the 21 series, the 23 series were quite similar to the 21 series featuring more upgrades to engine power and other improvements to harvester operation. The series began in 1998 and featured the 2344, 2366, 2377 and 2388 models. Starting with the model year 2005 combines, all combine production was moved from the original site in East Moline, Illinois to Grand Island, Nebraska. Many improvements were made to each model with facility change. The most notable improvement was moving the rotary fan screen from the rear of the machine to the right side like the original 14 series combines. The 2377 was produced to replace the 2366, when the production moved plants. For model years 2007 and 2008, Case IH produced the 25 series combines. The series consisted of the 2577 and 2588 which offered improvements in engine power and new paint and decals to the former 23 series combines.

The 010/120 series

In 1999, Case IH and New Holland AG merged to form CNH Global. As part of the post merger product simplification process, both harvester lines of Case IH and New Holland were based on a common basic platform, with each model then customized to the features usually found on each harvester (e.g. cabin, external paneling, coloring, decals etc.). These combine harvesters are manufactured in Grand Island, Nebraska

This series began with of the AFX8010 and AFX9010 for 2003 through 2006. These early AFX combines stand apart from the later 80/9010 due to their black cabs and unloading auger. In 2007, the model numbers dropped the AFX naming and were simply named 7010, 8010, and 9010. 7120, 8120 and 9120 models began in 2009 and ended after 2011 and were based on a 5.4m2 (7120) and 6.5m2 (8120/9120) cleaning area. Significant improvements were made to the design including replacing many chains and belts with hydraulic control, including the main rotor drive belt. This hydraulic drive also allowed the fitting of an in cabin rotor reversing mechanism, allowing operators to reverse the entire rotor and feeder house in the event of a blockage.

The 88 series

The 88 series continued the 23 series line in parallel to the 120 series, and consisted of the 5088, 6088 and 7088 models. This series had 5.48m2 of separation area. [3] This series along with the 010/120 series' were the first combines with plastic/fiber glass body panels. The series was phased out of production in most markets until their last year of production in 2011.

The 130/230 series

In 2012, the 130/230 series was released. It has a Tier 4a/Tier 4 interim engine emissions control. This series has two sub-series with the difference based on total cleaning area. The 130 series machines were a direct successor to the last 88 series machines and still were mostly belt and chain driven. The smaller sub-series uses a 5.9m2 cleaning area and consists of the 5130 (Class V), 6130 (Class VI) and 7130 (Class VII) models. The larger sub-series uses a 6.1m2 cleaning area and consists of the 7230 (Class VII), 8230 (Class VIII) and 9230 (Class IX) models. [4] The 230 series followed in the footsteps of the 010 and 120 series combines and consisted of mostly hydraulic driven threshing and cleaning systems.

The 4000 series

Based on the 23 series axial-flow harvesters, the 4000 series, 4077 and 4088 have been produced since 2014 at CNH Industrial's Harbin plant in China for the Chinese market.

The 140/150 and 240/250 series

The 140 and 150 series combines were improved versions of the previous 130 series combines. Starting with the 150 series, new decals were used. For the 2019 model year, Case IH offered retro looking paint jobs and decals for the 150 series. Case IH used an old IH shade of red, old IH style of decals, and painted the rims and top of the cab an old IH cream color.

The 240 and 250 series combines were improved versions of the previous 230 series combines. Starting with the 250 series, new decals were used. These combine harvesters are among the most efficient in the world, specifically the 9250. Coming with a FPT engine, optional front crawler tracks, pipe lengths (20-50 feet), grain hopper size (14000-24100 litres), rear axle lengths (30-44 inches), multiple rotor options for specific grain types, and a trailer hitch for a header trailer.

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Threshing machine</span> Agricultural machine

A threshing machine or a thresher is a piece of farm equipment that separates grain seed from the stalks and husks. It does so by beating the plant to make the seeds fall out. Before such machines were developed, threshing was done by hand with flails: such hand threshing was very laborious and time-consuming, taking about one-quarter of agricultural labour by the 18th century. Mechanization of this process removed a substantial amount of drudgery from farm labour. The first threshing machine was invented circa 1786 by the Scottish engineer Andrew Meikle, and the subsequent adoption of such machines was one of the earlier examples of the mechanization of agriculture. During the 19th century, threshers and mechanical reapers and reaper-binders gradually became widespread and made grain production much less laborious.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combine harvester</span> Machine that harvests grain crops

The modern combine harvester, also called a combine, is a machine designed to harvest a variety of cultivated seeds. Combine harvesters are one of the most economically important labour-saving inventions, significantly reducing the fraction of the population engaged in agriculture. Among the crops harvested with a combine are wheat, rice, oats, rye, barley, corn (maize), sorghum, millet, soybeans, flax (linseed), sunflowers and rapeseed. The separated straw is then either chopped onto the field and ploughed back in, or laid out in rows, ready to be baled and used for bedding and cattle feed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massey Ferguson</span> Originally English company; manufacturer of agricultural equipment

Massey Ferguson is an agricultural machinery manufacturer, established in 1953 through the merger of farm equipment makers Massey-Harris of Canada and the Ferguson Company of the United Kingdom. It was based in Coventry then moved to Beauvais in 2003 when the Coventry factory was shut down.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Harvester</span> American manufacturing company

The International Harvester Company was an American manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment, automobiles, commercial trucks, lawn and garden products, household equipment, and more. It was formed from the 1902 merger of McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvester Company and three smaller manufacturers: Milwaukee; Plano; and Warder, Bushnell, and Glessner. Its brands included McCormick, Deering, and later McCormick-Deering, as well as International. Along with the Farmall and Cub Cadet tractors, International was also known for the Scout and Travelall vehicle nameplates. In the 1980s all divisions were sold off except for International Trucks, which changed its parent company name to Navistar International.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Axial flow valve</span> Type of brass instrument valve

The axial flow valve, or Thayer valve, is a brass instrument valve design patented in 1978 by Orla Ed Thayer. Designed with assistance from Zigmant Kanstul, it was originally intended to replace the traditional rotary valve on the French horn, but instead revolutionized the design of trombone valve attachments. Combined with open-wrap tubing, it eliminates the impedance caused by tight tubing bends, improving the airflow through the instrument and the open "feel" perceived by the player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Scout</span> Motor vehicle

The International Scout is an off-road vehicle produced by International Harvester from 1960 to 1980. A precursor of more sophisticated SUVs to come, it was created as a competitor to the Jeep, and it initially featured a fold-down windshield. The Scout and second-generation Scout II were produced in Fort Wayne, Indiana as two-door trucks with removable hard tops, with options of a full-length roof, half-cab pickup, and/or soft top.

Case IH is an American agricultural machinery manufacturer. It was created in 1985 when Tenneco bought selected assets of the agricultural division from International Harvester and merged it into its J.I. Case Company. Today Case IH is owned by CNH Industrial, an American-Italian corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Case Construction Equipment</span> American construction machine manufacturer

Case Construction Equipment is an Italian manufacturer of construction machinery. Along with CASE IH, Case Construction Equipment is a brand of CNH. Case produces construction equipment including excavators, motor graders, wheel loaders, vibratory compaction rollers, crawler dozers, skid steers, and compact track loaders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Case Corporation</span> American agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer

The Case Corporation was a manufacturer of agricultural machinery and construction equipment. Founded, in 1842, by Jerome Increase Case as the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, it operated under that name for most of a century. For another 66 years it was the J. I. Case Company, and was often called simply Case. In the late 19th century, Case was one of America's largest builders of steam engines, producing self-propelled portable engines, traction engines and steam tractors. It was a major producer of threshing machines and other harvesting equipment. The company also produced various machinery for the U.S. military. In the 20th century, Case was among the ten largest builders of farm tractors for many years. In the 1950s its construction equipment line became its primary focus, with agricultural business second.

New Holland is a global full-line agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in New Holland, Pennsylvania, and now based in Turin, Italy. New Holland's products include tractors, combine harvesters, balers, forage harvesters, self-propelled sprayers, haying tools, seeding equipment, hobby tractors, utility vehicles and implements, and grape harvesters. Originally formed as the New Holland Machine Company in 1895, the company is now owned by CNH Industrial N. V., a company incorporated in the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Best</span> American businessman and adventurer

Daniel Best was an American adventurer, businessman, farmer, and inventor known for pioneering agriculture machinery and heavy machinery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International L series</span> Type of truck

The International L series was introduced by International Harvester in fall 1949 as the replacement for the KB series and were available as everything from light pickup trucks and delivery vehicles to full-size tractor-trailers. Electric wipers, a radio, and a clock were optional. International would continue to produce the line until 1953 when it was replaced by the R series.

Laverda is a manufacturer of combine harvesters and hay equipment, based in Breganze, Italy. It was founded in 1873 by Pietro Laverda to produce farming implements in the Province of Vicenza. 1956 was the year the first self-propelled Laverda combine, the M 60, was manufactured. Laverda formed a partnership with Fiat in 1981, and would be a part of that company for some 20 years.

The Gleaner Manufacturing Company is an American manufacturer of combine harvesters. Gleaner has been a popular brand of combine harvester particularly in the Midwestern United States for many decades, first as an independent firm, and later as a division of Allis-Chalmers. The Gleaner brand continues today under the ownership of AGCO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agricultural machinery</span> Machinery used in farming or other agriculture

Agricultural machinery relates to the mechanical structures and devices used in farming or other agriculture. There are many types of such equipment, from hand tools and power tools to tractors and the farm implements that they tow or operate. Machinery is used in both organic and nonorganic farming. Especially since the advent of mechanised agriculture, agricultural machinery is an indispensable part of how the world is fed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claas Lexion</span> Series of combine harvesters

Claas Lexion is a series of combine harvesters, manufactured by Claas in Harsewinkel. An American version called Lexion was produced by Claas Omaha Inc. in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CNH Industrial</span> European multinational corporation

CNH Industrial N.V. is an American-Italian multinational corporation with global headquarters in Basildon, United Kingdom, but controlled and mostly owned by the multinational investment company Exor, which in turn is controlled by the Agnelli family. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The company is incorporated in the Netherlands. The seat of the company is in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with a principal office in London, England.

The agricultural machinery industry or agricultural engineering industry is the part of the industry, that produces and maintain tractors, agricultural machinery and agricultural implements used in farming or other agriculture. This branch is considered to be part of the machinery industry.

The Selbstfahrer is the first self-propelled combine harvester by Claas. In total, 19.465 units were produced from 1952 to 1963. The German name Selbstfahrer literally means Self-propeller and in the German agricultural language, it refers to a combine harvester or agricultural machine that can propel itself. Initially, the name of the Selbstfahrer was Hercules; due to an already registered trademark with the name Hercules, the combine harvester was renamed SF for Selbstfahrer in 1953. In contemporary brochures, the Selbstfahrer is called Claas Selbstfahrer Type S.F.55. It was targeted at agricultural contractors and large farms in Europe. In 1961, the Selbstfahrer was succeeded by the Matador. However, it was kept in production until 1963.

References

  1. Klancher, Lee (2015). Red Combines 1915-2015. Octane Press. ISBN   978-1937747459.
  2. "Toy Tractor Times".
  3. "Axial Flow 5088 6088 7088". Archived from the original on 2014-09-13. Retrieved 2015-02-01.
  4. http://www.caseih.com/australia/Products/Harvesting/AxialFlowCombines/Documents/14AUSAFC001_Axial_Flow_0414_WEB.PDF%5B%5D