It is bold, it is red, it is Case IH – once again making a strong impression at this year’s 35th annual Val Farmers Day. The company, renowned for its high-quality agricultural machinery, showcased several flagship products to demonstrate exactly what this equipment is capable of in the field.

Among the machines on display were the Magnum 325, Magnum 355, AF9 combine harvester, Early Riser planter and Speed-Tiller.

Magnum

Case IH used its Magnum™ 325 and Magnum™ 355 tractors to pull implements during the live field demonstrations.

These versatile tractors are available with either a CVXDrive™ continuously variable transmission or a PowerDrive transmission and come equipped with a full technology package. The Magnum™ 325 delivers 240 kW of power from an 8,7-litre engine, while the Magnum™ 355 produces 260 kW from the same 8,7-litre engine.

The Magnum™ 355 is also available in Case IH’s Rowtrac™ configuration. This tractor offers all the power a farmer needs to make even the toughest jobs on the farm look easy.

The Case IH Magnum 355 pulls the Case IH Speed-Tiller 475 during the live demonstrations at Val Farmers.

AF9 Combine harvester

Visitors to Val Farmers Day also had the opportunity to see Case IH’s new flagship combine harvester, the AF9, in action. Powered by a 635 hp (474 kW) engine, featuring a 20 000-litre grain tank and an unloading rate of 159 litres per second, this combine is ideal for harvesting large fields quickly and efficiently.

Although the machine still features the renowned Case IH Axial-Flow single-rotor concept, everything from the feeder house to the cleaning and residue management systems has been redesigned. Unlike conventional combines that separate grain through multiple threshing stages, the Axial-Flow system uses a single rotor to complete both threshing and separation in one continuous process.

This results in improved crop flow through the machine, reduced grain damage and better overall harvest quality.

The cleaning system has also been engineered to deliver superior performance in uneven field conditions. Instead of grain falling directly onto the sieves, it is first received by a grain pan that moves both front to back and side to side. This motion distributes material more evenly across the entire cleaning area, improving the system’s efficiency.

The rotor itself is approximately 860 mm longer than previous flagship models, providing additional separation capacity with two extra sets of concaves.

Radar sensors mounted at the rear of the combine continuously monitor wind conditions and automatically adjust the residue spreading pattern to ensure even distribution of crop residue across the field.

Early Riser planter

The Case IH Early Riser planter range combines robust row units with the latest Case IH technology, enabling accurate planting at your preferred speed while ensuring uniform crop emergence.

The Early Riser range offers Precision Planting® options for accurate planting across all field conditions, soil types and cropping practices.

Using the Climate Corporation FieldView® in-cab app, operators can view high-definition planting data, including real-time row-by-row visualisation, mapping, A/B guidance lines, and more. Recorded data includes seed hybrids, population, singulation, spacing, DeltaForce® hydraulic downforce, liquid fertiliser application and granular chemical layers.

The planter features 16-inch (41 cm) vertical row units that are built with fewer components, allowing them to cut through residue more effectively while reducing maintenance requirements. The larger diameter and thicker Earth Metal® adjustable opener blades are agronomically designed to slice easily through heavy residue and challenging soil conditions.

By applying hydraulic downforce or uplift pressure, the DeltaForce® system maintains constant weight on the gauge wheels for unmatched planting depth control.

Reverse closing discs seal the furrow while placing high-moisture soil directly over the seed, and the closing wheel ensures excellent seed-to-soil contact.

The range is also equipped with bulk-fill seed tanks to provide reliable seed delivery regardless of planting population.

Speed-tiller

The Case IH Speed-Tiller 475 is a high-speed disc implement that quickly handles heavy crop residue, helping to improve soil quality and maximise crop yields. It is available in working widths ranging from four to twelve metres.

Its individually mounted blades ensure consistent penetration and uniform working depth. The tines also follow the contours of the field, delivering optimum performance and consistent seedbed preparation.

The unique blade design and mounting system reduce clogging in wetter soils, while the rear roller effectively incorporates crop residue into the soil.

During autumn, the implement can be operated at deeper working depths for residue management and weed control, while in spring it can be used at shallower depths for seedbed finishing.

With its heavy-duty frame, blades and arms, the Speed-Tiller is designed to perform reliably in all soil conditions. It also features the well-known Soil Command tillage technology, allowing quick and easy implement adjustments directly from the comfort of the tractor cab.

The 5 cm thick rubber disc mounting allows the blades to maintain their position even in the toughest soil conditions. These are among the thickest and heaviest disc mountings on the market, providing superior blade protection.

The Case IH Speed-Tiller produces a smoother, more level seedbed that matches the needs of your fields. A well-prepared seedbed contributes to consistent, accurate seed placement and unrestricted root development.

The Case IH Speed-Tiller 475 makes light work of even the toughest crop residue.

To learn more about any of these impressive Case IH products, visit the company’s website at https://www.caseih.com/en-za