New Case IH feedrate control system takes silver in Agritechnica Innovation Awards
28th September 2023
The Advanced Feedrate Control system, developed for Case IH Axial-Flow combines and previewed at Agritechnica 2023, has been awarded a silver medal for innovation at the biennial farm machinery event organised by DLG.
The Agritechnica innovation awards give silver medals to innovative and practical developments that bring significant improvements to performance, quality, function, safety, environmental impact and energy consumption.
The Case IH Advanced Feedrate Control uses forward-looking radar sensors to scan and assess the density of the crop before it enters the machine, rather than during the threshing process like most technologies.
Getting the maximum from your machine
The information generated by the four header-mounted radar units, which measure the complete plant mass from the ground up for a highly accurate crop density assessment, is used to automatically adjust key settings such as forward speed for the crop volume the machine is about to ingest.
As a result, combine forward speed and engine load are maintained as closely as possible to the desired level, maximising output without the risk of blockage. In addition, experienced operators are able to get the maximum from their machine, while those less experienced can be more confident they can push the combine without fear of it blocking.
The proactive Advanced Feedrate Control has the potential to boost workrates by up to 20%, as operators are able to work at faster ground speeds when compared with a combine fitted with the established reactive automated feedrate intake.
The system’s greater consistency of throughput increases harvesting speeds, minimises losses and improves grain quality, while reduced blockage risk improves safety and minimises inconvenience and downtime.
Feedrate control system displayed at Agritechnica 2023
The system is fitted with the VariCut header, paired with the Axial-Flow 7160 combine displayed at Agritechnica 2023. In addition to Advanced Feedrate Control, the new models incorporate full AFS Harvest Command connectivity.
“The Agritechnica awards panel’s recognition of the benefits offered by this development is really gratifying,” said Peter Friis, head of Combine Business for Case IH in Europe.
“We set out to design a feedrate control system that would be much more proactive than current available systems, and Advanced Feedrate Control is exactly that, providing the ability to get the most from the combine’ potential regardless of operator experience, enabling users to maximise output in short weather windows without risk of overloading.”
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