It’s tough to knock spring rains. The moisture is welcome and critical to help your crops get off to a good start. But with the recent rainy stretch slowing planting across wide swaths of the country, Case IH track technology can help bring timeliness and efficiency to your operation.
A limited number of ideal planting days leaves little time for wasted motion. You need to ensure you make every day as productive as possible. You need to be more efficient. Tracks can help you get more done.
With more than 20 years of leadership since the introduction of Steiger® Quadtrac® series tractors, Case IH has continually developed and refined its track equipment lineup. Today, you’ll find our track technology across multiple product lines, including Steiger Quadtrac, Steiger Rowtrac™ and Magnum™ Rowtrac series tractors, plus our Early Riser® planters and Axial-Flow® combines. There’s a track model for any application, any width and any cropping need. And what you need now is to get your crop in. Here’s how tracks can help:
Easier on your fields. With greater flotation and less soil compaction, Case IH tracked tractors and planters go easy on your soils. For example, the Quadtrac system uses four 30- or 36-inch-wide rubber tracks to reduce ground pressure, resulting in minimal soil disturbance, a smooth and comfortable ride, and less stress on your fields. The Steiger Rowtrac and Magnum Rowtrac keep four points of ground contact, which reduces surface pressure and means less weight transfer from front to rear than two-track systems.
Our 2160 Large Front Fold Trailing and 2140 Pivot-transport Early Riser planters can extend your planting window. The Rowtrac Carrier System provides increased flotation over a wheeled carrier to help reduce compaction and improve yield potential in wet conditions. Plus, it provides better maneuverability and a smoother toolbar ride.
Efficient horsepower. Case IH Steiger tractors already deliver best-in-class fuel efficiency. Tracks help transfer more of that efficient power to the ground than wheels do. Case IH tracks take things a step further, with a bigger footprint and longer wheelbase than other track systems. The Quadtrac and Rowtrac systems let you maintain full power through turns without producing as many ruts or berms. The design of the Magnum Rowtrac maintains a larger, more balanced footprint as the tractor nimbly works through irregular ground and headland turns. Reduced soil disturbance means more productivity from more of the field.
Preserve soil tilth. You need power and efficiency to hit optimal planting windows. But you can’t afford to sacrifice your soil structure in the process. Through exclusive Case IH design, our tractor and combine tracks oscillate and pivot to maintain a flat footprint that keeps the power on the ground. This design produces traction that is unaffected by hitch or drawbar load. Constant contact with the ground produces optimal pressure, ideal flotation and better traction. Each track unit has five sets of wheels and five axles that better distribute weight and avoid pressure spikes in the soil. Each track lays down a longer footprint than a tire does, reducing in row compaction. Additionally, each unit independently pivots up and down 10 degrees, allowing it to better follow ground contours yet turn tightly without causing berming or soil disturbance.
Operational flexibility. Getting the most from your equipment is another great way to improve efficiency and return on investment across your farm. Case IH tracked equipment operates in multiple crops and a variety of field conditions and operations. They can handle everything from primary and secondary tillage to planting and side dressing fertilizer to spraying row crops. That’s precisely the versatility you need to successfully navigate this spring’s challenging conditions.
Remember: Be patient. Working too-wet fields can cause soil compaction, and compacted soil can lead to serious, long-term problems, such as poor root penetration, reduced drainage, reduced rainfall infiltration and lack of soil aeration. Most soil compaction occurs from field traffic and fieldwork when conditions are too wet and may lead to reduced yields of 10 percent to 20 percent.1
Stay off those too-wet fields, and instead, make the most of rainy-day downtime by talking with your Case IH dealer about how Case IH track technology can bring a new level of efficiency to your operation.
RESOURCES
1Don’t Be Too Eager to Work That Soil! University of Connecticut Extension website. https://blog.extension.uconn.edu/2015/04/15/dont-be-too-eager-to-work-that-soil/. Published April 15, 2015. Accessed May 7, 2018.
