World record glory for tractor manufacturer

MAIZE: Some 1,240 acres covered with seed in 24-hour period

Tractor manufacturer Case IH was left celebrating after one of its tractors was driven to create a new world record for maize planting.

A Magnum 380 CVX tractor with a 16-row Vaderstad Tempo L planter was used to set the new world record on a farm in western Hungary.

The machinery combination managed to cover 502.05 hectares (1,240 acres) in a 24-hour period, far surpassing the previous record of 448.29 hectares (1,108 acres).

Working across two fields, the equipment was not only used to apply seed, but also fertiliser and insecticide.

Planting at 30-inch (76.2cm) row spacings, the combination covered 12.19 metres in each run using the Case IH AccuGuide autosteering to ensure straight rows and accurate passes.

Working speeds of up to 24kmph were achieved and a 2cm pass-to-pass accuracy was provided by the Case’s RTK+ correction signal network which covers most of Europe.

Case IH said: “The Magnum 380 CVX with continuously variable transmission was chosen for the record attempt not only for its fuel efficiency and ease of use, but also as it helped to quickly accelerate the tractor and implement up to the optimum working speed when pulling away from the headland at the beginning of each pass.

“With 221 litres/minute of oil flow available from the tractor, the Magnum 380 CVX also provided plenty of hydraulic flow to ensure the planter’s fans were never short of oil.”

The company said although the planting task was carried out as a record attempt, it was done to exact agronomic guidelines.

The quality of work carried out during the record attempt was monitored by staff from Godoll University in Hungary.

History being made in western Hungary.