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After picking up plaudits at the recent Agritechnica Event – Machine of the Year 2018 – a Case IH Maxxum 145 tractor with the new ActiveDrive 8 transmission has gone on to set the lowest specific fuel consumption for a 4-cylinder tractor at the DLG test station.
The Powermix test looks at 14 different cycles typically encountered by tractors, and simulates pure pulling, ploughing, PTO and heavy and light transport duties at full or partial loads.
The Maxxum 145 showed an average specific fuel consumption of 258 grammes/kWh in the field work section, almost 9.5% better than the previous record.
Powered by a 4-cylinder, 4.5L FPT engine with turbocharging and intercooling, the Maxxum 145 meets Tier 4 final emission regulations using the SCR process.
This set-up helps deliver 145hp at a rated speed of 2200rpm, which uses Power Management to boost to 160hp. Maximum is delivered at 1800rpm with 155hp available, which also uses a boost function to achieve 175hp when conditions dictate.
Vincent Hazenberg, product marketing director for Case IH, says a key factor in the impressive result was the tractor’s new 24 x 24 speed, semi-powershift transmission, which offers eight powershift steps in each of the three main ranges.
The set, which offers a maximum ground speed of up to 50km/h, is said to be particularly suited to “power-hungry” tasks where maintaining momentum is critical — such as powering cultivators or triple mowers.
Having worked as a diesel mechanic, often on Case IH machinery, Brian Hughes was familiar with the agricultural industry and looking around the Invercargill region where he was based, saw an opportunity for contracting in the sector.
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