Case IH Magnum Rowtrac tractor review

Following a series of wet winters, growers are seeking improved manoeuvrability and floatation – two key benefits they are finding with Case IH's tracked workhorse, the Magnum Rowtrac.

The tracks help get power to the ground, resulting in less horsepower wasted when pulling equipment.

Case IH dealership O’Connors, of Corowa, recently demonstrated the 380hp Magnum Rowtrac pulling a HORSCH Sprinter 12 NT to growers in northern Victoria and southern NSW.

Sales manager, Ryan O’Connor, says growers were impressed by the ease with how the tractor handled the conditions.

"A lot of the growers have 340 to 380hp tractors, and they were impressed with the way the power was delivered to the ground," he says.

"We had the 40 foot (12m) HORSCH going at 10km/h at a good depth, and it was doing it easy.

"We are seeing a move to tracks, especially after a couple of really wet winters."

Tracks over wheels

Case IH High Horsepower product manager, Alyx Selsmeyer, says the move towards tracks and away from wheels is a global trend.

"The track offering from Case IH provides the best combination of floatation and power transfer for a wide range of tasks," she says.

"This tractor is comfortable in tillage work, pulling seeders, spreading and more."

The track undercarriage is a friction drive using lugs on the track to aid in alignment. The track is tensioned every time a hydraulic remote is used, hence eliminating the need for operators to manually tension tracks every time.

A clear view hubcap in the centre of all the idlers and mid-rollers gives an indication of the oil level.

Each track assembly pivots forward and backward, following the contour of the ground to maintain maximum traction across uneven surfaces.

The tracks are complemented by high-flexing IF or VF tyres on the front, offering up to 40 per cent more flex than a standard radial tyre to achieve a larger footprint.

"Essentially, the tracks have a larger footprint on the ground and less weight per square inch," O’Connor says.

"The 24 inch (60cm) track goes on at about 7lb per square inch, and because of that footprint, there is more power getting to the ground.

"The floatation is much greater – we have some controlled traffic farmers who have gone the 24-inch track over the 18 because they believe the pressure and compaction is going to be that minimal, the crop will bounce back. They don’t use the tractor for spraying but for sowing and spreading.

"They went the 24 inch because they were concerned about the pressure it was going to put, and it will be taking out more rows for them.

"They are getting minimal to zero slippage."

Even so, with the Rowtrac still relatively new on the scene, the question of track life and cost comparison with tyres will be answered down the track.

Growers have watched the all-tracked Steiger Quadtrac with interest for feedback.

The most common working width for the Magnum Rowtrac is set on 120 inches or 3m. There are narrow and wide undercarriage options giving a choice of tracks in the widths of 16 (40cm), 18 (45cm), 24 (60cm) or 30 (75cm) inches.

Power and transmission

The Magnum Rowtrac is powered by a FPT (Fiat Powertrain) six-cylinder 8.7-litre turbo diesel engine, delivering a maximum torque of 1850Nm.

A wider range of engine speeds results in improved fuel economy with more power in lower engine revs.

O’Connor’s Precision Ag Technical Specialist at Shepparton and Corowa, Aram Aldridge, says high horsepower combined with low maintenance made the Magnum Rowtrac a popular choice with growers.

"As a technician, I love the engine, basically because you don’t have to touch it," Aldridge says.

"It is neat and tidy, low maintenance, and with plenty of horsepower – it is a really well balanced engine."

"We have been running the FPT engines in the flagship combines for quite a while now with no dramas at all in some of the toughest conditions," he adds.

The Rowtrac’s Continously Variable Transmission has infinite speed settings up to a top forward speed of 50km/h and a forward/reverse shuttle.

The tractor finds the right combination of power and revs for the target speed, resulting in fuel efficiency.

"With the split throttle, the machine picks the most efficient engine speed for the ground speed," O’Connor says.

"If I’m using some PTO, I can set the engine speed and still have independent ground speed."

"There is a road mode which works as an isolator as well as getting to your top speed – the isolator won’t allow hydraulics to operate."

Cab and controls

A suspended front axle and rear linkage provide a comfortable ride in the cab, with no bouncing or jarring.

"This machine provides a smooth ride, and even on uneven terrain the tractor keeps an even weight distribution," O’Connor says.

The Rowtrac has a turning circle with an outside diameter of no more than seven to eight metres.

The cab itself is spacious and made with comfort and visibility in mind. There is no feeling of being restricted in any direction. The leather seat has the luxury of built-in heating and cooling.

"Everything Case IH is doing is [aimed at] trying to make the user experience more enjoyable, easier and safer," O’Connor says.

"There is a 360 degree LED lighting system and it has really improved with this model."

Right at the operator’s fingertips is the Pro 700 monitor featuring six different customisable touch screens. Key data ranging from fuel consumption to engine and PTO speed is displayed.

Data is also integrated from the tractor and implement, allowing the operator to save settings for each implement according to the working conditions.

Aldridge says the factory installed Pro 700 is ISOBUS compliant and features guidance capabilities.

"It has on-the-go tractor monitoring – from harvesters we can take yield or fuel maps," he says.

"Each operator can customise their settings depending on what they wish to view at the time for a particular implement or operation. The same goes for the implement settings and working conditions, such as shifting the guidance lines for inter-row sowing from year to year."

The Pro 700 is capable of up to three external camera inputs which can be viewed on the customisable run screen.

"It is very configurable as to what the operator wishes to view – you can look at a bin camera and jump back to a guidance line or the terminal screen with the planter display on," Aldridge says.

The Rowtrac has a lift capacity of 8840kg.

"Everything on the 380hp Magnum is heavy duty – the axles, draw bar and linkage," O’Connor said.

Maintenance points

The fuel tank is located under the steps and has an increased size of 765 litres, without the requirement for an AdBlue tank.

The one-piece bonnet is lifted on two gas-filled struts to give easy access to the motor and cooling system from the ground.

A magnetically held cover on the steps shields the air cleaner canister, fuel filter and transmission oil check and filter point.

"One of the greatest things about the Magnum, and being such a big tractor, is the fact all servicing can be done with your feet on the ground," O’Connor says.

"The fuel and oil sticks are easy to reach while there is easy access for cleaning out the radiator.

"If maintenance is easy and accessible, it is more likely to be done," O’Connor adds.

Case IH celebrates 30 years in 2017 since the first Magnum tractor series was launched, with the Rowtrac debuting in 2015.

Case IH Magnum Rowtrac specifications:

Rated engine power: 379hp

Rated engine speed (rpm): 2000

Maximum torque (Nm at rpm): 1806 at 1400

Transmission type: Continuously variable transmission

Maximum forward speed (km/h): 50

Powershuttle: Standard

Creeper: Standard

PTO type: Hydraulically actuated independent PTO with soft start engagement

PTO speed standard at rpm: 540/1000 at 1800

Front PTO and hitch: Optional

Drive: 4WD (standard)

Front axle suspension: Optional heavy duty fully suspended axle

Steering angle (degrees): 56

Min.turning radius (m): 5.3

Hydraulic system type: Variable displacement, pressure flow compensated hydraulics

Max. pump flow rate: 282 L/min with twin flow pump

Max. number of rear remotes valves: Six

Max. lift capacity (kg): 8840