24 powershift steps in three gear ranges for new Maxxum tractor range

Case IH upgrade Puma tractors, and make transmission changes in Maxxum range

Case IH have announced several upgrades for their range of Puma tractors, and transmission changes for their Maxxum range.

A new semi-powershift transmission offering eight powershift steps in each of three ranges is now available for Case IH Maxxum tractors, with the launch of the ActiveDrive 8 transmission.

It joins the existing four-speed semi-powershift and continuously-variable transmission options available, which respectively have been renamed as ActiveDrive 4 and CVXDrive.

Available on Maxxum Multicontroller models, ActiveDrive 8 provides a total of 24 speeds in both forward and reverse.

Covering speeds up to 10.2 km/h, range one is specifically designed for heavier draft work.

For special applications requiring very low speeds, such as vegetable crop work, ActiveDrive 8 is also available with additional creep speeds.

Range two, the main working range, covers nearly 90% of all field, grassland and loader application requirements, allowing the tractor to work under full load, without any torque disruption, from 1.6 to 18.1 km/h.

For road travel, the transmission is designed to start in range three, and a skip-shift function allows quick progress through the powershift speeds.

An auto shift feature means the tractor can be set to progress automatically through any set of eight speeds in the field, and through all 16 gears in the top two ranges on the road.

A pedal kick-down function can be used to over-ride the transmission automation and cause it to downshift.

In terms of transmission operation, the clutch pedal is not required, meaning this transmission is suited to power-hungry tasks where momentum is important, such as cultivations or mowing with twin or triple mowers.

A true power shuttle ensures no loss of drive or traction during changes of direction on slopes, while a ‘brake to clutch’ feature improves ease of stopping and safety at road junctions, or when stacking bales with a loader.

Both shifting and shuttle can be modulated, for a faster or slower response, according to the task in hand.

Maxxum Multicontroller models feature the Multicontroller armrest and its joystick, which put multiple operating functions at the driver’s fingertips.

From full transmission operation via thumb-operated powershift and powershuttle control, to engine speed control and the operation of electronic remote valves, everything is immediately at hand.

These tractors can now be specified with either mechanical or electronic remote valves.

The revision of the Maxxum range also sees a new 175hp (max) six-cylinder Maxxum 150 CVX launched at the top of the line.

Both six-cylinder Maxxum 150 Multicontroller and Maxxum 150 CVX tractors will be fully available from the third quarter of 2018.

With this tractor Case IH now offers the lightest, smallest tractor in the industry with a six-cylinder engine of this power output.

Maxxum tractors are powered by FPT Industrial’s 4.5-litre four-cylinder and 6.7-litre six-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled engines, which meet Stage IV emissions regulations using the Hi-eSCR selective catalytic reduction system.