Elevating power and productivity

STRAW walker combine models — including the CX8000 Elevation straw walker — were showcased at the New Holland event in Kilkenny.

The CX8000 Elevation is a powerful conventional combine with up to 490hp on tap offering huge capacity as well as increased productivity.

The enlarged grain tank, up to 11,500 litres, and increased unloading speed enhance self-sufficiency and harvesting f lexibility. Mr Honeyman explained some changes have taken place at the upper end of the CX 8000 range, with the CX8.90 being made obsolete and being replaced by the 460hp Cx 8.85.

Features include the combine automatically setting the straw walker speed to match maximum throughput of the crop being harvested. The New Holland Opti Clean system claims to improve cleaning performance by up to 20pc by optimising the sieve stroke and throwing angles and maximising cascade capacity. The CX8.85 combine’s 12,500 litre grain tank capacity is immense and unloading speed has increased by 14pc. This means the largest 12,500 litre grain tank can still be emptied in under two minutes thanks to a 125 litre/second unloading speed.

Meanwhile, the compact TC4.90 model is the smallest machine in New Holland’s combine range and was also on display in Kilkenny. New Holland combine specialist Honeyman said this smaller machine has all the features of its five strawwalker cousins as well as the same grain handling system.

Automation

Remote concave adjustment and optional moisture sensor all add to the list of productivity-enhancing features available if required.

In terms of rotary combine news, Mr Honeyman explained how the firm’s CR Revelation combines feature some of New Holland’s most sophisticated technology used to date. “The aim is to take automation to a new level to address a combine operator’s big challenge of maintaining maximum throughput while keeping losses and damaged grain to a minimum.

Research has shown that combine automation can lead to a 20pc boost in productivity compared to when being driven by the inexperienced driver.

Automation introduces important benefits for the operator: fewer decisions to take, better comfort and driver confidence, less fatigue and a simple user interface.

It may sound a little overwhelming to those who like to be in complete control of machines but initial feedback has been good. Customer clinics conducted in France and Germany by New Holland last year generated positive results. Participating customers found the system to be intuitive and easy to use and indicated it would be a big help for new or less experienced drivers.