by Jason Hasert

Buhler-Versatile Tractors

Ertl has introduced the second CaseIH X set.  The first set was introduced in March 2002 and it included an MX 135 Maxxum,  MX 270 Magnum, STX 425 Steiger, STX 425 Quad-Trac Steiger and SPX4260 Patriot Sprayer.  This set was called the NeXt Generation. The NeXt Genteration marked the first generation of the X series CaseIH line.  In late November 2004 Ertl released the X Series set to participating CaseIH dealers.  The new X Series celebrates the second generation of CaseIH X products.  These items include the new MXU 125 Maxxum, MX 285 Magnum,  STX 500 Quadtrac Steiger, AFX 8010 combine and SPX4410 Patriot Sprayer.   Below is an overview of the real X series CaseIH products and the Ertl replicas.  Read carefully because Ertl has added unique variations to this set you will not find on other 1/64 CaseIH toys. 

Case IH, a brand of CNH (Case New Holland), is a leader in the farm equipment industry. Thanks to a 160-year history, the Case IH signature red color is recognized around the world.  The Case IH brand represents a tradition of leadership.  It is the culmination of great agricultural equipment companies and brands, including Case, International Harvester and Steiger, to name a few.   Each of those brands has played an important role in the history and evolution of Case IH.  Over the years, many things have changed, but the legendary red brand will always represent a commitment to making agricultural producers successful. Case IH equipment includes a full range of tractors; combines; specialty harvesters for cotton, sugar and coffee; hay and forage products; tillage products; seeders and sprayers.  The CaseIH X series represents 21st Century productivity enhancing products include tractors ranging from 18 to 500 horsepower; combines and harvesters; hay and forage equipment; tillage tools; planting and seeding systems; sprayers and applicators; and site specific farming tools. 

MXU 125 Maxxum (105 hp):  The MXU Series, is the newest Maxxum tractor line from Case IH. Available in 2WD or MFD as cab or ROPS models, there's one ready to boost your operation's bottom line. MXU Series Maxxum tractors range from 80 to 115 PTO horsepower with new turbocharged and intercooled 4- and 6-cylinder engines. Electronic fuel management on the three larger models delivers a power boost that maintains rated PTO horsepower for more efficient operation. The industry's most impressive cab comes standard with the most glass area, plenty of leg room, and dual wide-opening doors for easy entry. Add the optional MFD, front axle suspension and cab suspension systems for the ultimate in comfort even in your roughest fields.

 MXU Series

The 1/64 MXU 125 represents an all new tooling from Ertl.  This is the first 1/64 MXU and it offers a cab with clear windows and sun roof.  The MXU comes with a standard high visibility panel in the roof.  This clear panel is found on all CNH CaseIH MXU and New Hollands TSA tractors.  This sun roof is a safety feature to help a driver escape the tractor in case of a tractor roller over. It is a great feature Ertl added to the collectors edition MXU 125. At this time the MXU 125 is only available in the X set.  In 2005 additional MXU replicas will probably appear.  The MXU 125 replaces the MX Maxxum series. Below you can see all detail Ertl has added to the MXU 125 vs. the older MX Maxxum tooling like the MX 110 from the CaseIH farm set.

1/64 Ertl MXU 125 from the CaseIH X Series Set

1/64 CaseIH MXU 125 compared to past MX 110

MX 285 Magum (240 hp):  On November 25, 2004, Gerald R. Forsythe, an Illinois businessman and farmer with operations near Marshall, Illinois (right), takes delivery of the 100,000th Case IH Magnum tractor, an MX285, from Kurt Edens, manager of Farm Pride Casey, the Case IH dealer in Casey, Illinois. Mr. Forsythe drove the tractor off the assembly at the Case IH Racine Manufacturing Operations (RMO) in Racine, Wisconsin, which assembles all Case IH MX Magnum tractors. Introduced in 1987, Case IH Magnum tractors have logged an estimated 400 million hours of operation. Employees of the RMO added custom one-of-a-kind graphics to Mr. Forsythe’s tractor to recognize its exclusive status. MX Series Magnum tractors take proven performance and step it up to a new level. Choose from four models ranging from 170 to 240 PTO hp.  All are designed to make you more productive with the kind of power and efficiency that impacts your bottom line.

100,000th Magnum

CaseIH introduced the first Magnum tractors in Denver, Colorado in September 1987.   Over 17 years the Magnum tractor has lead in the tractor market offering modern upgrades and improvements.  The 100,000th Magnum rolled of the Racine, Wi in November 2003.  CaseIH built around 200 100,000th Magnum Demonstrator tractors.  These tractors had a special 100,000 decals and Demonstrator decals on the door.  The actual Magnum with serial number 100,000 was painted in a gray and white tiger striping.  Ertl offers the 100,000 Magnum for the first time in the X Series set.  In 2003 a collectors edition Demonstrator MX 285 was offered by Ertl in 1/64.  Both models offer clear windows.  The X series MX285 has the tiger striping, rear mud guards and single wheels.  The 2003 Demonstrator has all around duals and a demonstrator decal in the window.  If you are keeping count this is the fourth 100,000th Magnum variation.  The first version is the MX 285 Demonstrator with duals, the second is the Dealer Exclusive Edition on singles in a Lego box, the third is the Lego Box 75th Anniversary Commemorative MX 285 of Sherrmans CaseIH dealership in Dyersville, Iowa.

1/64 100,000th Magnum

100,000th Magnum and 100,000th Magnum Demonstrator

STX 500 Steiger (500 hp):  Meet the leader of the revolutionary X Series family of tractors—the STX Series STEIGER four-wheel drives from Case IH!  The impressive styling is sure to catch your eye. And after one round in the field, you'll soon be sold on the productivity, versatility, comfort and convenience of the STX Series tractors. Under the forward-sloped hood, you'll find a powerful, fuel-efficient Cummins engine ready to pull your heaviest loads in the harshest conditions. Inside the cab, you'll marvel at the panoramic view, ergonomic layout, luxurious options, and all the extras that you deserve. Behind the throttle, you'll feel the instant response of industry-leading horsepower and torque rise, giving you the extra boost you need under load.  Choose the model that best fits your operation. The STX Series STEIGER family includes six models with 20 different versions from 275 horsepower (hp) to an incredible 500 hp. The STX275 and STX325 models feature a unique front frame, and are available with the patented AccuSteer precision steering system—ideal for row crop applications. The STX375, STX425 and STX 450 models come equipped with traditional wheel models with duals or triples, or the exclusive QUADTRAC designed for unparalleled performance. In addition, specially designed wheel or tracked versions are built to handle the demanding duties of pull-type scrapers in soil-moving applications.  With heavy-duty axles and a reinforced frame, these versions of the offer valuable versatility and lasting reliability.

 STX 500

The STX 500 is a 500 hp 4wd.  Ertl has included a collectors edition STX 500 Quadtrac in the X series set.  At first collectors may think "oh another STX Quad".  This would be a mistake.  Ertl is adding more and more to make collectors pieces in 1/64 stand out.  Case in point the X series STX 500.  Each bolt in the track assembly has been touched in gold paint to make Quad stand out.  The shelf edition STX 500 released in February 2004 has a black track assembly.  Painting the bolts was a great idea, Customizer's might want to take into account.

1/64 Ertl STX 500 from the CaseIH X Series Set

Left: X Series STX 500 with gold wheel bolts Right:  STX 500 Shelf Edition black wheel bolts

AFX 8010 Axail-Flow Combine (375 hp 330 bu.):  Case IH Axial-Flow combines continue to lead the way in productivity and value. The AFX Series features Model AFX 8010—a workhorse that delivers incredible advances in performance thanks to the proven Case IH AFX rotor and a host of industry-leading features. Axial-Flow combines use a single rotor to thresh and separate grain, and create a vacuum of air that helps provide a clean operating environment. Conventional combines use up to 16 moving parts to do the same job. Because Axial-Flow combines use fewer moving parts, they are easier to operate, more reliable, and less costly to maintain than conventional or more complex rotary designs.  The Axial-Flow rotor provides multiple-pass, threshing action, which means concaves operate in a more relaxed position and allow the crop material to aid in threshing. The resulting grain-on-grain threshing action is gentle and thorough, providing a grain sample with more whole kernels, fewer cracks and substantially less foreign material.

  AFX 8010

Ertl has done a great job with the 1/64 AFX 8010.  The detailed collectors edition AFX 8010 is back in the X Series set.  This new collectors AFX offers all the handrails and lights found on the July 2003 dealer edition and September 2003 Fall Farm Show Edition.  The X series model stands out from the past AFX's because it only comes with a 2020 30ft grain head and not a 2412 corn head.  The X series combine like all the other X Series models is stamped on the bottom with a collectors insert.

 X Series AFX 8010 with 30ft 2020 grain head

 X Series AFX 8010 with Collectors Edition Insert

Dealer Collectors Edition AFX 8010 with July 2003 Insert

SPX 4410 Patriot Sprayer (280 hp, 1,200 gallons, 90ft boom):  Why are Case IH SPX Series sprayers today’s choice? Because they offer bold advances in spray technology, like the AIM Command spray system. They also offer unique sprayer configurations, like the rear engine SPX4410 with the “Active Suspension” and Surveyor cab.  Case IH sprayers deliver state-of-the-art performance. And you can make great machines even better with a number of productivity enhancing options. Choose tank size, boom width, tire size and advanced technology options to match your operation. Built to deliver everything you wanted in a sprayer, the SPX4410 Patriot sprayer makes you more productive, with the kind of efficiency that impacts your bottom line.

  SPX 4410

CaseIH's SPX4410 with AFS gps guidence is an ultra modern sprayer.  Ertl did a nice job with this model offering collectors a big sprayer with a 1,200 gallon chemical tank, 90 ft double folding booms and a clear window cab.  The X Series Set SPX 4410 has a collectors edition insert and a chrome chemical tank to make it stand out from the shelf edition. 

X Series SPX4410

Left: X Series SPX4410 with chrome tank Right:  SPX4410 with gray tank

The X Series Set SPX4410 has a collectors insert on the bottom

You can learn more about the real CaseIH X Series reviewed this month at www.caseih.com.