Case IH Early Riser 2130 planter arrives in Oz

Following seven years of design and development, Case IH has finally lifted the lid on its Early Riser 2130 Stack-Fold planter that builds on the success of its earlier 1200 series models.

The new planter was demonstrated late last year for the first time on Australian soil in Dalby, Queensland to a group of farmers.

The Early Riser 2130 is available in configurations of a 30ft toolbar (12-row 30 inches); 38ft toolbar (12-row 36 inches or 12-row 38 inches); and 40ft toolbar (12-row 40 inches or 16-row 30 inches).

Case IH has partnered with leading US-based ag technology company, Precision Planting, to produce the Early Riser 2000 Series, which Case IH said is the only planter engineered and built with Precision Planting components direct from the factory.

"The reason they're called the Early Riser is because they consistently, time after time, get seed out of the ground faster than any other planter on the market," said Case IH Australia’s Planter Product Manager, Andrew Kissel.

“We realised that a lot of customers today are using precision planting technology and are having to pay a high price to retrofit the technology on their own machines," he said.

“So we took an alternative approach and thought, if we can deliver a product that's exactly how farmers want it from the factory like this Early Riser 2130, that's the right thing to do.”

Some of the precision planting technology available with the Early Riser 2130 include the CleanSweep system for easy row cleaner adjustments; AirForce and DeltaForce downforce control; vSet metering system, and SpeedTube seed delivery system.

Technology aside, Case IH has also made several improvements to the seeder itself, including increased toolbar height, heavier and sturdier frame and lower maintenance bushings.

“We went with a higher toolbar height which gives us more travel in the field,” Kissel said.

“We went from plus or minus five inches to plus or minus eight which gives an increased range of travel to keep the planter engaged with the ground at all times,” he added.

“We also built a heavier row unit that's made out of cast iron so it's got improved strength and durability.

“The other thing that we did is we went to a lot of non-greasable bushings and smart ways to lubricate the planter so we don't have to ever touch it with a grease gun.”

Case IH has also adapted a more modular design with the row unit so customers can easily bolt on components that they need, such as residue managers, to their planter to suit their needs.

The Early Riser 2130 features 67-litre hoppers on each row and is suitable for planting a wide variety of crops.

“Summer crops like cotton and sorghum will be our primary market to start, we are looking at corn as well with plans to start investigating alternative markets that we have seen positive agronomic results with in our trials,” Kissel said.

The tractor horsepower requirement for the Early Riser 2130 is about 280hp.

Operators can also opt for a factory-integrated in-furrow liquid fertiliser delivery system to fertilise while they seed.

Unlike most seeders on the market which folds up on both sides for transportation, the Early Riser 2130 Stack-fold planter stacks up close to the tractor so operators can back right up to the edge of the field and start planting.

A tried and tested feature Case IH has brought across from its predecessor units to the Early Riser 2000 series is the pulled gauge wheels which give the planter a better ride across various ground conditions.

“That's an industry exclusive product,” Kissel said.

“The reason it's an industry exclusive is because it's expensive to make pulled gauge wheels as we have to add a big piece of cast iron that has to be vinyl machined.

“However, from an agronomic performance standpoint, that is by far the best way to do it. It carries the planter a lot lighter and floats across the ground a lot smoother, and results in a better planter ride.”

Another unique feature on the Early Riser 2130 is the two stage closing system.

“We use a set of concave discs to squeeze the trench back shut and a semi pneumatic press wheel to tamp the ground back firm to provide really good seed to soil contact,” Kissel said.

“This is an exciting new offering from Case IH to Australian producers, and we’re proud to be able to present a design and technology package unmatched within the planter market,” he said.

“It starts with the rugged row unit that has a tried and tested design. With the factory integration of the industry’s best planter technologies, it all adds up to a product that will not only enhance, but redefine the productivity gains and efficiencies that can be achieved.”

The Case IH Early Riser 2130 planter retails from about $180,000.