Western Australian farm manager, Shaun Earl, recently chose to upgrade to the impressive new Case IH Quadtrac model broadacre machines.
Shaun is responsible for 13,500 hectares of mixed cropping, north east of Geraldton. He recently chose four new model broadacre Case-IH Quadtracs for towing seeding equipment and a 30-tonne chaser bin.
The 500 model, 550 model and two 450 model broadacre machines purcahsed will be put much used at harvest following delivery in March next year.
Shaun explained that potential fuel savings were among the key features that stood out when searching for new broadacre machines.
Shaun says “Our soil is around 70 per cent soft yellow sand, with the remainder red loamy soils, so we need a track model machine to get the necessary horsepower to the ground when pulling heavy implements,”
“Our older gear offered us the same horsepower, but with an 18-litre engine. The new models will deliver the same horsepower output but with a 12.9-litre engine. We spend $850,000 a year on fuel alone, so this is a big cost saving.”
Shaun continues “We wanted to ensure optimum comfort for all of our seven full time six casual staff,”
“The end result is a tractor that delivers the power we need, while reducing costs and ensuring operator comfort is at the frontline.”
Features and benefits of the new model Quadtrac broadacre vehicles include:
- new cab suspension for comfort at speeds of up to 40 km,
- suitable for towing a heavy chaser bin,
- increased traction thanks to a series of positive lugs that interlock with bars on the drive wheel,
- slippage is eliminated during slippery or wet conditions due to hydraulically activated differential locks,
- superior flotation,
- reduced compaction,
- less soil disturbance,
- four valve per cylinder engine design,
- increased airflow,
- rapid throttle response,
- efficient combustion for better fuel efficiency,
- fully electronic high pressure fuel injection system,
- improved cold starting,
- articulated steering that delivers full power turns within 5.7 m, and
- Multicontroller Drive Logic armrest with intuitive control panel that places key functions at the operator’s fingertips.