Small changes bring big results

Farmers want more productive machines that won’t cost them an arm and a leg to operate. At the same time, vehicle manufacturers have to ensure their products meet stringent emissions regulations. In 2014 Tier 4 Final standards go into effect calling for a 90% reduction in particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Combining power, efficiency and emissions compliance has been a challenge for many companies. However, manufacturers have found ways to bring these features into the machine to allow farmers to be more productive.

A common goal

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, common in the off-road industry, enable vehicle manufacturers to meet emissions regulations while still getting the power they want.

According to Case IH, Racine, WI, because exhaust is treated post-combustion with SCR, the engine is able to run at peak performance. Treating the exhaust post-combustion also allows fuel to burn more completely and lowers the need for cooling during high-horsepower applications. Research has also shown that SCR systems can provide 3% to 5% fuel savings, further adding to its efficiency benefits.

Customers are, of course, the most important aspect to keep in mind when designing a piece of agricultural equipment. While the economic benefits of creating an efficiently running system are obvious, the ease with which operators can do their job is equally important. This is why just as much development has gone into tractor cabs as the rest of the vehicle. Many are becoming offices right there in the field.

Ergonomics have played an important role in cab design. Having the most frequently used controls at an operator’s fingertips makes work easier and more comfortable. There’s no longer a need to reach far across a console to find the right button to push, eliminating confusion and neck strain.

Case IH Steiger 600

In early 2011, Case IH introduced the Steiger 600 tractor, said to be the highest horsepower and most fuel-efficient tractor to date. This tractor is designed to offer users the power necessary to get their work done quickly and efficiently, while also meeting the most current emissions regulations.

Using an FPT Powertrain Technologies 12.9-liter diesel engine, the Steiger 600 has a power output of 600 hp and uses fuel more economically. SCR technology enables efficient operation as well as reduced emissions. Case IH chose to use SCR technology exclusively to meet 2014 Tier 4 Final emission regulations.

Operator efficiency was another goal for the Steiger 600 design. The large tractor cab features a wide viewing window for maximum visibility and a four-post cab suspension for stability in any working condition. To be more ergonomic, many of the tractor’s controls have been placed on the upper right-hand side of the cab. More frequently used controls are contained in a MultiControl armrest console on the tractor seat, allowing the vehicle operator to have everything within easy reach.

Oxbo 4334 self-propelled merger

Designed to increase operator productivity, Oxbo Intl. Corp., Lynden, WA, developed the Oxbo 4334 self-propelled merger. A Tier 3-compliant John Deere 250 hp engine allows the merger to move at a rate of 30 mph. For easier maneuverability when changing locations, the pickup heads fold to a 10-ft. width in under 20 seconds.

Front mounted heads on the merger enable the machine to move around easier, especially in small fields, around corners and at headlands. The heads are also designed so as not to run over crops, allowing farmers to get as much usable product out of their fields as possible.

Part of what enables the crop protection is the operator’s ability to stop the conveyor while still running the pickup heads. Oxbo’s continuous pickup and crop flow technology also helps protect crops by enabling gentler handling of crops and allowing fewer rocks to get into the windrows.