Coming to a yard near you
The Case IH Optum turned heads at Agritechnica in November last year, where it won the Machine of the Year 2016 Award. The first examples are due here this month.
The Advanced Trailer Brake System can be specified as an option for Puma 185, 200 220 and 240 CVX models.
As well as in haulage situations in general, the system is said to be of use on wet roads, and in field conditions where gradients, turns or speed reduction are often compromised by heavy trailers or implements pushing the tractor as speed decreases, increasing the possibility of jack-knifing.
In operation, when the driver requests a speed decrease -- either via the multi-controller lever or the brake pedals -- the system estimates the deceleration force required by comparing the vehicle’s target speed with its actual speed. It then adjusts the braking force applied by measuring the transmission input torque based on information from a flywheel speed sensor and ECU data. In turn, this information is used to calculate and apply the appropriate pressure needed to balance the deceleration force on the tractor with the momentum exerted by the trailer or implement.
Aligning both allows the combination to remain stable under braking, optimising performance, increasing safety and eliminating the incidence of jack-knifing.
A 35km/h speed threshold allows the driver to make minor speed adjustments when travelling on the open road without the trailer brakes being applied.
