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VERSATILE RT490
SPECS
Class size: VIII
Engine: Cummins QSX 11.9L engine, T4i
Rated engine horsepower: 490 hp
Threshing/separation: “rotating concave” rotary
Grain tank: 340 bu.
Unload rate: 3 bu./sec.
Total threshing area: 25.8 sq. ft.
Cleaning area (total): 56.6 sq. ft.
Suggested retail price: $379,000 (basic model); $399,000 (all-wheel drive), not including pickups and headers
Contact: www.versatile-ag.comIn June, Versatile, a division of Canadian company Buhler Industries, formally entered the highly competitive North American combine market with the release of the Versatile RT490 combine. This is the first new combine that the farm equipment industry has seen in over a decade.
The new Versatile RT490 combine is modeled after the Russian combine Torum. These combines feature a unique threshing system called a “rotating concave” rotary system. The 360-degree concave moves counter to the rotor to make full use of the thresher and separator and increase the amount of grain that gets processed, the company claims.
The combine has a four-stage feeder house with an inclined chamber and four feeding beaters. This design provides a more uniform flow of crop to the rotor than traditional feeder housing to maximize threshing capacity, Versatile says. A 340-bu. grain tank comes standard. Hopper extensions, also standard, are controlled from the cab for transportation or storage.
The Class VIII RT490 combine is powered by a 490-hp Cummins QSX 11.9L engine that meets Tier 4i emissions standards. Like other products in Versatile’s product lines, the combine will be marketed under the niche of being reliable, durable, and easy to service and maintain.
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CASE IH 30 SERIES
SPECS
Models: 6130, 7130, 7230, 8230, 9230
Class sizes: V to IX
Engine: Case IH-FTP 6.7L, 8.7L or 12.9L
Rated engine horsepower: 265 to 500 hp
Threshing/separating: Rotary
Cleaning area (total): 7,947 to 10,075 in.
Grain tank capacity: 250 to 350 bu.
Unload rate: 2.5 to 4.5 bu./sec.
Weight: 33,400 to 37,600 lbs.
Suggested list price: $293,286 to $453,703
Contact: www.caseih.comCase IH says the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) Tier 4i engines featured in its next-generation 30 Series Axial-Flow combines offer an average 10% gain in fuel economy over previous models. The series, which replaced the 20 Series and 88 Series machines for model year 2012, includes six models, two of which are Class VII combines, the biggest-selling class. No major updates are planned for 2013.
Case IH updated the combine unloading system on all models last year with larger unload components, including a 17-in. vertical tube and a high-capacity unload elbow to achieve unloading rates of up to 4.5 bu./sec. in the largest model. Growers using 45-ft. or wider headers can opt for an extra-long 31-ft. unload auger to keep pace with increased feeding rates.
In-cab control of the cross auger is a new feature that comes standard on the 9230. It lets operators shut off the flow of grain to the cross augers, yet keep the vertical auger running until the grain is emptied out, putting less weight and stress on the entire unload system. New cab-controlled grain tank extensions are available on the three largest models — 7230, 8230 and 9230 — to achieve a 400-bu. tank capacity.
Inside the cab, farmers have access to the new Case IH AFS Pro 700 monitor, first seen in Case IH high-horsepower tractors. Case IH says the monitor, used to track yield and control automated steering, is thinner, faster, and easier to read than previous versions.
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CHALLENGER 500C
SPECS
Models: Challenger 540C and 560C
Class sizes: VII and VIII
Engine: AGCO Power 7-cyl. 98 ATI
Rated engine horsepower: 370 to 460 hp
Separator type: Rotary
Cleaning area (total): 9,455 sq. in.
Grain tank capacity: 350 bu.
Unload rate: 4.0 bu./sec., average
Unloading auger: Two-auger unload
Base list price: $389,733 for 540C corn; $417,700 for 560C corn
Contact: www.challenger-ag.usChallenger took the wraps off its new 500C Series combines this month. The new Class VII Challenger 540C and Class VIII 560C have the same single-rotor design as the Challenger 600B Series models they replace. But the guts of these machines were completely revamped to tackle more demanding harvest conditions.
The processor and cleaning system now incorporate a segmented rotor in place of the previous in-line bar design. Major enhancements also were made to the cleaning fan and chaffer area. Both machines use a 31.5-in.-dia. rotor that is 140 in. long to span the full length over the cleaning shoe. This allows for more threshing and cleaning capacity without the addition of auger beds or discharge beaters, says Challenger marketing manager for combines, Kevin Cobb.
Both models are equipped with new AGCO Power Tier 4i engines that Cobb says are far more fuel-efficient than the prior Tier 3 engines used in previous models. In addition, the engine is mounted in-line with the rotor to simplify the rotor drive system and minimize power consumption. Additional features include a new cooling system with variable speed and a reversing fan designed to virtually eliminate the need for cleaning.
All models come guidance-ready from the factory. The steering valve and components are factory installed to allow for plug-and-play use of automated steering kits, including the Topcon System 150. Additional options include a premium seat that provides both heating and cooling and the NightBreaker lighting package, which includes HID and LED lights for greater visibility.
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MASSEY FERGUSON 9500
SPECS
Models: 9520 (VI), 9540 (VII), 9560 (VIII)
Engine: AGCO Power 84 AWI, 6-cyl.; AGCO Power 98 ATI, 7-cyl.
Rated engine horsepower: 313 to 460 hp Separator type: Rotary
Cleaning area (total): 7,672 to 9,455 sq. in.
Grain tank capacity: 300 to 350 bu.
Unload rate: 4.0 bu./sec.
Base list price: $341,312 base price for 9520 (corn); $389,733 for 9540 (corn); $417,700 for 9560C
Contact: your local Massey Ferguson dealer or visit www.masseyferguson.usLast fall Massey Ferguson launched the new 9500 Series axial combines, which included major changes over the previous series to take on the challenges of high-yielding crops and tough harvesting conditions.
The 9520, 9540 and 9560 models were equipped with new Tier 4i emissions-compliant engines. The 9540 and 9560 included a new processor, a redesigned cleaning system, a larger feeder house and a more efficient cooling system.
The series went into full production this year, and the performance gains promised at launch time have been proven in the field, says combine marketing manager Kevin Cobb. “We designed the combines to deliver as much as a 20% increase in capacity, but with that we’re also seeing a 20% increase in fuel efficiency over previous models,” Cobb says.
New for 2013, operators will have a leather seat option with a cloth center that provides for both heating and cooling. Another new option is a lighting package called NightBlaze, which illuminates the front, sides and rear of the machine for added visibility.
New 2013 models will be guidance-ready as standard equipment to allow for installation of the Topcon System 150 and other guidance systems.
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GLEANER S7
SPECS
Models: Gleaner S67, Gleaner S77
Class sizes: VI, VII
Rated engine horsepower: 314 hp; 370 hp
Engine: AGCO Power 84 AWI; 6 cyl., 8.4L
Threshing/separating: Transverse rotor
Threshing/separating area: 6,047 sq. in.
Total cleaning area: 7,729 sq. in
Grain tank: 390 bu.
Unload rate: 4.0 bu./sec.
Base list price: $355,746 for a corn S67; $377,948 for a corn S77
Contact: www.gleanercombines.comGleaner is making enhancements to its S7 Series, which it launched in the fall of 2010. The Gleaner S7 (S stands for super) is a super-sized version of its transverse rotor combine, the Gleaner R6. For 2013, the 8-in. cross auger in the S7 Series has been dropped below the center line to speed up grain flow to the elevator. Elevator paddles were made thicker to increase clean-grain elevator capacity, now rated at a maximum of 5,000 bu./hr.
To improve material flow, Gleaner added a new rear feed-conveyor drive that reportedly eliminates slip and provides 50% more drive capability. A 10% differential in rear-to-front feed conveyor speed eliminates pinch points, Gleaner says. The company made the straw/stalk chopper drum smaller in diameter to improve crop flow even further, which also reduces horsepower requirements by 5 hp.
The S7 Series combines for 2013 will come as “guidance-ready” as a standard feature. A factory-installed video monitor can be added as an option. For increased comfort, a buyer can order a new Premier heated and cooled seat.
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CLAAS LEXION 700
SPECS
Models: 670 (Straw Walker), 730, 740/740 TT, 750/750 TT, 760/760 TT, and 770/770 TT
Class sizes: VI to X
Engine: Caterpillar 6-cyl. 9.3L or 12.5L (T4i); 16L Mercedes Benz OM 502 (T3)
Rated engine horsepower: 320 to 523 hp
Separator type: APS (accelerated pre-separation) hybrid system
Cleaning area (total): 6,886 to 8,412 sq. in.
Grain tank capacity: 280 to 360 bu.
Unload rate: 2.8 to 3.3 bu./sec.
Price range: $367,380 for Lexion 670 (Straw Walker) small grain package; $659,500 for Lexion 770TT (corn package)
Contact: www.claasofamerica.comClaas revamped its Lexion combines in the fall of 2010 with the launch of the 700 Series, which included its first Class X model. Other than a few minor tweaks, Claas says, there will be no major updates for this fall. >
The 700 Series features Claas’s original APS Hybrid threshing system, which lets you independently adjust the threshing and separator functions according to varying crop conditions. New chopper options were added to the 700 Series to manage higher volumes of residue. >
Cabs were redone at the same time, providing more space and a better view of the header and returns. Its control center has been outfitted with telematics in addition to basic machine control to allow for fleet management and remote monitoring of equipment. Other cab features include an adjustable steering column, easier-to-reach controls, iPod playback control, USB port and Bluetooth technology. >
Claas redesigned its Terra Trac (TT) mobile track system with the 700 Series to reduce shock and provide more stability on curves. The drive wheel, idler wheel, and bogie wheels are fully and independently suspended, allowing for road speeds up to 25 mph (on the Lexion 750 TT), which Claas says is record-setting. >
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NEW HOLLAND CR
SPECS
Models: CR6090, CR7090, CR8080, CR8090, CR9090, CR9090 Elevation
Class sizes: VI to IX
Engine: FPT Cursor 9 8.7L, FPT Cursor 10 10.7L, FPT Cursor 13 12.7L
Rated horsepower (CV): 360 to 530 hp
Threshing/separating: Twin rotors
Grain tank capacity: 315 to 355 bu.
Unload rate: 3.7 bu./sec.
Weight: 34,638 to 40,814 lbs.
Suggested list price: $355,596 to $488,914
Contact: your local New Holland dealer or visit www.newholland.com/naAs part of the industry’s migration to Tier 4i emissions-compliant engines, New Holland last fall introduced five new CR Series Twin Rotor combines, all equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) engine technology. The SCR technology, which New Holland trademarked as ECOBlue, offers a reported 9% increase in fuel savings.
New Holland has made minor updates for model year 2013. Dynamic Stone Protection, previously available only on the CR8090 and CR9090 small grains models, is now also available on CR8090 and CR9090 corn and bean models. The system mechanically captures stones and feeds them into a sump, which gets emptied once a day, allowing nonstop harvesting. The specific small grain CR9090 Elevation model with the Opti-Clean cleaning shoe benefits from ECOBlue SCR engine technology for model year 2013.
More header options also are available. A new rigid knife draper header, the 840CD, has been added. Available in 25- to 45-ft. widths, the 840CD shares the same frame, drapers, auger and SynchroKnife drive as New Holland’s SuperFlex draper head, the 880CF.
Telemetry is a new add-on for 2013, allowing for remote vehicle monitoring. The basic level, known as PLM Connect Essential, lets the owner view the location of each combine on an office computer and create virtual field boundaries and curfews that send alerts either by email or SMS text. A more advanced level, known as PLM Connect Professional, lets you remotely view the combine’s display screen to monitor settings and track performance, as well as send messages to the operator.
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JOHN DEERE S
SPECS
Models: S550 (V), S660 (VI), S670 (VII), S680 (VIII), S690 (IX)
Engine: John Deere 6-cyl. 6.8L, 9.0L, or 13.5L
Rated engine horsepower: 271 to 543 hp
Separator type: Rotary (hydrostatic rotor drive)
Cleaning area (total): 5,583 to 8,711 in.
Grain tank capacity: 250 to 400 bu.
Unload rate: 2.2 to 3.8 bu./sec.
Unloading auger: Two-augur unload
Suggested list price: $293,286 to $453,703
Contact: www.johndeere.comThe new S-Series combines, which John Deere introduced last fall, are made up of five models from 271 to 543 rated engine horsepower. The largest model is John Deere’s first entry in the Class IX market. All general specifications remain unchanged from 2012.
The cab is brand-new, offering better visibility and 30% more interior space. Cab controls are laid out similar to what you’d see in John Deere tractors so drivers can hop from one machine to the next without having to learn a new system. The GS3 2630 display is integrated into the CommandArm for operator convenience. The premium cab also comes with an active refrigerator.
New header options are available to match the combines’ increase in capacity. These include a 16- or 18-row corn head and a flex draper platform for soybeans. Threshing is done by the Tri-Stream rotor, or the optional new Variable Stream rotor, targeted at high-yielding small grains.
The cleaning system is larger to handle high crop volumes. Optional power folding grain tank covers can fold or unfold in under 30 sec. from the comfort of the cab.
Also available on the new S-Series is a new, fully automated grain unloading system called MachineSync that synchronizes the combine and grain cart. The combine controls the speed and position of the grain cart to ensure the grain cart is positioned under the combine unloading auger.
Model year 2012 was a huge year for new combine introductions, as manufacturers were under the gun to meet Tier 4i emissions deadlines with new, cleaner-burning engines. AGCO, Case IH, Claas, John Deere and New Holland all came out with their own spin on how to meet emissions requirements while at the same time packing more power, capacity and features into their new model lineups.
This year, Challenger and newcomer Versatile launched even more models, new for 2013. Remaining players have upgraded their existing lineups and introduced new features, including telemetry, cab-controlled grain tank extensions, heated/cooled seats and active refrigerators.
Here’s your all-in-one scorecard of what’s new in combines for 2013 to aid you in the purchase of your next combine.
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