The Literature Rack - New Combine News
By: Gordy Schultz

CaseIH and John Deere have been busy this year upgrading their combines. Both big manufactures have new combine literature out this fall.

CaseIH has a new AFX 8010 brochure out with a great looking cover showing six AFX's running in an American harvest scene. The inside of the brochure is similar with pictures to the the original 2003 brochure. There is also a new CaseIH brochure out featuring the new side air screen 2388 and 2377. This brochure has several new pictures of the Axial-Flows at work in the field and detail pictures. These are both great brochures to check out on you next trip to your local CaseIH dealer.

In August John Deere announced upgrades to its STS combines. The new combines offer the new John Deere Bullet Rotor. The 9560 STS now offers a new and improved larger 250 bu. bin. The 9660 STS, 9760 STS and 9860 STS combines have a new folding unloading auger to offer reduced transport length. The combine cabs and engines have changed as well. The cabs now have rounded lights that look similar to the new 8030 series tractors. The engines have changed and the sheet metal in the back of the combine have been rounded out. Hopefully we will see new toys of the STS combines from Ertl in 2006.

I know many of our readers are interested in the facts and specifications on these combines. To help highlight these new brochures I have included press releases from CaseIH and John Deere on the combines.

New CaseIH Combine Provides Productivity
RACINE, Wis. – Gentle Axial-Flow® threshing comes together with the industry’s highest productivity design in the all-new, Class VII-plus Case IH AFX8010 Axial-Flow combine.

"Producers no longer need to choose between a superior grain sample and a faster harvest," says Terry Snack, product specialist for Case IH combines. "They’ll get both with the new Case IH AFX8010 combine."

For those farmers and custom harvesters constantly battling the clock and adverse conditions at harvest time, the newest addition to the Axial-Flow family can cover all the acres they need. The AFX8010 provides up to 40 percent more productivity than the Class VI Case IH 2388 combine.

Top capacity
Increased productivity begins with the industry’s largest grain tank at 330 bushels, fastest unloading rate at three bushels per second, and largest cleaning area at 10,075 square inches, not to mention the 4,236-square inch active grain pan.

Increased harvesting capacity demands increased power, and the AFX8010 delivers with a 10.3-liter, 24-valve, full-authority electronic engine. Rated at 375 horsepower (hp), the Case IH engine grows 25 hp in tough situations, and gains an additional continuous 40 hp during on-the-go unloading to maintain ground speed under load.

"The real key to the AFX8010’s productivity advantage is one of the founding principles of Axial-Flow design – matched capacity," Snack explains. "Just like the Axial-Flow 2366 and 2388, the feeder house for the AFX8010 is sized to match the ability of the machine, ensuring smooth crop flow with no bottlenecks."

The AFX8010 feeder is 54 inches wide, compared to the 2388, which measures 45.8 inches. A redesigned, bolt-in rock trap eliminates the chain drive and need for rear ballast weights. In addition, the optional Terrain Tracker feeder will pivot five degrees from side to side to follow ground contours and maximize harvest efficiency.

Smart innovations
Both the header/feeder drive and rotor drive are powered independently by the Case IH Power Plus Drive™ systems. These new drive systems use a continuously variable transmission (CVT) design – an industry first for combines. The innovative hydro-mechanical design reduces service requirements by eliminating all drive belts, provides efficient power transfer, and supplies convenient speed control.

"Our patented design allows the operator to vary both header and feeder speed and reverse the rotor from the cab to inch out slugs should they occur," Snack says. "It can even automatically set and maintain the precise relationship between the feeder and ground speeds."

A new line-up of headers, including 12-row corn heads, 30-foot flex and rigid heads, and up to 36-foot flex and rigid draper heads, will complement the AFX8010. For simplified attachment, the header and related hydraulic and electrical hook-ups are completed at a single point from the left side of the feeder.

Single rotor threshing continues
The higher capacity AFX rotor was first unveiled in 2002 as an upgrade for the 2003 model-year 2388 combine. On the AFX8010, the rotor’s graduated pitch impellers, multiple raspbars and kickers move the crop through the machine more efficiently for more complete threshing. In addition, the transition cone is five inches larger in diameter and provides for faster crop acceleration into the rotor cage. The transition is also shallower, allowing threshing to begin more quickly.

"The gentle and complete threshing characteristic of the single rotor, in-line design is the hallmark of the Axial-Flow combine," Snack adds. "The AFX rotor continues the tradition putting more bushels of high-quality grain in the tank."

In addition, rotor modules replace concaves and separator grates on the AFX8010. Each machine uses four, two-piece threshing modules up front, and four, two-piece separating modules in the rear. Several module choices are available to match specific crops and conditions.

Industry’s cleanest grain sample
The patented Case IH Cross Flow cleaning system continues to provide the industry’s cleanest grain sample with increased capacity and new features. The fan’s diameter has been increased for greater air volume, and the cleaning area and active grain pan have also grown, providing 43 percent more cleaning area than the closest competitor. In addition, the entire cleaning system now self-levels automatically, up to a 14 percent slope, preventing valuable crop losses.

"The self-leveling system is so responsive that it actually banks when you make end-of-row turns," Snack explains.

A new residue management system is also standard equipment. The operator may now choose to spread the straw and chaff, windrow the straw and chaff, or windrow the straw while spreading the chaff. Spreader speed and deflector angle are adjustable to conform to any header width or tillage practice. An optional integral chopper is also available.

Improving people productivity
"Our quest to increase productivity didn’t end when we got to the cab," Snack adds. "We continued to work to improve comfort, visibility, control layout and functionality to help operators perform at their peak."

The AFX8010 features the industry’s largest cab volume at 110 cubic feet, as well as the greatest glass area with 62.3 square feet. The curved front glass provides panoramic views of the entire header, and the back window provides easy viewing of the grain level and quality.

Axial-Flow combine controls are arranged ergonomically on the right-hand console for maximum convenience and minimum effort. The multi-function propulsion handle now features new functionality and backlit buttons for better visibility. The touch screen Universal Display monitor informs the operator of the combine’s productivity and vital statistics, enables AFS precision farming monitoring, and even allows storage of threshing system settings as "crop presets" for 17 different crops.

The new Case IH AFX8010 combine continues to build and improve upon the principles that led to the development of the first Axial-Flow combine, including:

Delivering superior grain quality
Maximizing grain savings
Adapting to all crops
Offering matched capacity, and
Using a simple, low-maintenance design that retains its value.

Case IH will upgrade its Class V combine offering for the 2005 harvest season with the introduction of the 2377 Axial-Flow combine.

"All of our customers are searching for opportunities to improve their efficiency and performance, but many do not require the significant capacity of our 2388 and AFX8010 offerings," says Leo Bose, marketing and training manager for Case IH combines. "The new 2377 will continue the 2300 Series combine tradition of proven performance and reliability, while also providing a capacity advantage compared to its predecessor."

The new Case IH 2377 combine features an upgraded grain tank capacity of 190 bushels, as well as 7,947 square inches of cleaning system area. In addition, the AFX rotor is now standard equipment.

"Case IH is now able to extend the many advantages of our revolutionary, high-capacity AFX rotor to our 2377 Axial-Flow combine," Bose explains. "The tougher the conditions, the more pronounced the advantages in terms of throughput capacity, quieter operation, and reduced wear on the threshing components."

A 250 horsepower Case IH 8.3-liter (505 cubic inch), turbocharged, air-to-air aftercooled engine powers the 2377. In tough conditions, it can deliver a 15 horsepower rise at 2,100 rpms.

The new 2377 Axial-Flow combine continues to build on the principles that led to the development of the first Axial-Flow combine, including:

Delivering superior grain quality
Maximizing grain savings
Adapting to all crops
Offering matched capacity, and
Using a simple, low-maintenance design that retains its value.

John Deere 60 series Upgrades
John Deere announces significant updates to the 60 Series STS Combines, including a new "bullet" rotor for increased threshing performance, a new design for improved engine air flow, a higher torque feederhouse drive for improved feeding, and other enhancements to bring more productivity to these industry-leading machines.

"By listening to our customers, conducting extensive field tests, and using new technology to improve the overall design of the 60 Series Combines, we have improved the harvesting capacity of these machines," says Kelly Granatier, marketing manager, John Deere Harvester Works. "The new bullet rotor technology, for example, allows for easier crop flow through the threshing system, reducing rotor power requirements, and allowing for faster field speeds."
The rotor is designed with a stream lined "bullet" nose profile, which provides more room upfront, allowing high volumes of crop material to smoothly enter and to be distributed evenly. Rotor power requirements are reduced and material handling is improved by as much as 20 percent in tough, small grain conditions. The smoother crop feeding also reduces rotor "growling" at high feed rates and allows longer harvesting hours in the field, even in damp conditions.

"The original stairstep design of the rotor in the STS combine took threshing performance to a higher level versus conventional rotary machines," explains Granatier. "Our new bullet rotor technology improves upon this original innovative design and brings even more productivity to the operator. Customers will truly appreciate getting more done in less time with these new machines. The new bullet rotor will help extend harvesting hours with improved threshing, higher grain quality, and faster field speeds."
In order to process more bushels from the field, a new high-torque, variable- speed feederhouse drive enables the 60 Series Combines to handle large cornheads in higher-yielding crops. Bigger cams with a more aggressive ram angle and a heftier coil spring allow for optimal high torque sensing and deliver 50 percent more clamping load to the drive belt. Oil capacity in the gearbox has increased 25 percent and grease capacity by over 300 percent. These changes will dramatically reduce belt slippage, gearbox overheating, and belt breakage. The new design improves overall feederhouse performance to ensure excellent feeding into the threshing system.

With the introduction of larger header equipment and larger separators, growers are concerned about evenly spreading the straw residue for no-till and reduced tillage operations. A new optional PowerCast straw chopper tailboard is available for STS combines to effectively spread material up to 50 feet.

Two dependable hydraulic motors power two, large variable-speed impellers, which engage the residue coming out of the straw chopper and provide a powerful spreading boost to the discharged residue. Spread width is easily controlled by the operator on-the-go from the cab of the combine.

"The PowerCast straw chopper ensures that straw residue will be more evenly distributed across the full width of larger platforms or corn heads," says Granatier. "This helps for improved tillage and seeding in the spring because residue can flow more evenly through the equipment."

Clean airflow is extremely important to overall engine performance. The STS combines are now designed with a new engine air scoop that provides continuous clean, fresh air to the engine and engine deck compartment. The large scoop is mounted high and pulls cleaner air down through the rotary screen and the radiator. This dramatically reduces the cleaning load on the engine rotary screen as well as the engine air filter. This cleaner engine cooling environment allows better engine performance and increases the combine's overall productivity level.

We've also enlarged the entire engine compartment for easier serviceability around the engine," says Granatier. "The engine deck rear wall is repositioned back for more space, and a rear ladder swings out wider with a reduced vertical angle for easier access and service entry."

A new, optional folding unloading auger will be available on the larger STS combines. The operator simply touches a button on the armrest control to fold or unfold the auger. The length of the combine is reduced nearly eight feet in the folded condition making transport maneuverability and storage much easier.

Other changes include increased grain tank capacity on the 9560 STS Combine to 250 bushels. A grain tank extension adds an additional 30 bushels to the standard grain tank size.

Also, the fuel tank on the 9860 STS Combine has been increased by 55 gallons for a total fuel capacity of 305 gallons. This allows the operator to run longer in the field, increasing valuable harvesting time between fuel stops.

New cab lights improve harvesting visibility at night, and batteries have been relocated at ground level for easy accessibility and serviceability.

"With all the updates on the 60 Series Combines, customers will see improved capacity and productivity in the field," summarizes Granatier. "Better feeding and threshing capacity, improved engine air flow and cooling, easier and more convenient serviceability, and more convenient storage and transport will help operators cover more acres in less time during harvest."

- New 9.0L Engine in 9660STS & 9760STS
- All New "Bullet Rotor", inproves Feeding and Threshing by approx. 20%, Reduces Power Consumption, handles Green-stemmed Crops with ease
- New Powered Folding Unloading Auger
- New PowerCast Straw Chopper Tail Board (Spreads 50' Wide)
- New Top-drawn Engine Air Scoop
- New Cab top with Podium-style 65 watt lights and 200amp Alternator
- New 9860 Premium Small-Grain Combine with 420hp
- New High-Torque Feeder House Drive
- Larger, Redesigned Engine deck with 8" more length and less clutter
- Batteries move to Ground Level
- New Quick Straw Chopper Knife Adjustment
- Increased Grain Tank Capacity for 9560STS (250 bu)
- New Cleaning Shoe Air Chute Agitators
- New Camera Observation System
- New 9660WTS Small-Grain Walker Combine
- New StalkMaster Corn Stock Chopper Residue Management System