Case IH Steiger 715 Quadtrac 2024 Launch Review

It doesn’t seem that long ago that CLAAS unveiled its 500hp XERION tractor to the world and the industry had its collective mind blown by the sheer size of the machine. Fast forward to 2024 and Case IH has stepped up the power game once again, with its Steiger 715 producing a maximum 778hp.

The model is currently the range-topper in Case IH’s AFS Connect Steiger high-horsepower tractor series, which offers outputs ranging from 425hp all the way to 715hp.

Case IH currently has a pre-production Steiger 715 Quadtrac model making its way around the country for a series of demos and exhibitions, and we were lucky enough to catch it ‘in the flesh’ in a paddock just outside of Griffith, New South Wales.

Immediately evident to the eye was its more stylish new hood, which is in line with Case IH’s latest family styling that first appeared in the AFS Connect Magnum that debuted back in 2019.

The redesigned bonnet has a sloping design to offer better visibility from the cab as well as optimised headlight placement for better illumination in front and around the tractor.

Under the bonnet is an FPT 16-litre twin-stage-turbo Tier 2 compliant engine for more power and torque. Case IH said the engine’s 23 per cent more displacement provides more power than the 13-litre units in the Steiger 715’s smaller siblings.

A Tier 2 engine means there is no need for farmers to worry about AdBlue and the maintenance of other emissions reducing technology.

Accessibility to the engine and other components at the front of the machine has been improved on this model. The opening of the hood is electronically controlled, meaning there is no key or heavy lifting involved to access the engine.

The debris shields are easily removed and reinstalled without the use of any tools, allowing for easy engine oil checks, for example.

LED lighting has been improved on the machine, offering 78,000 lumens of illumination – about 11 per cent more than the older models. The premium lighting package comes with a 330A alternator to ensure reliable and powerful illumination every time.

A problem farmers usually have with big machines like this is the flotation, or rather lack thereof, that causes wheel ruts or soil compaction that can affect the quality of crops in the long term.

To accommodate the size and increased weight of the Steiger 715 Quadtrac, Case IH has equipped the tractor with a heavier-duty undercarriage that allows the machine to move more efficiently across paddocks with less impact, while still being able to transfer power efficiently to the ground.

The four tracks (hence Quadtrac) are now 30cm longer; this provides a larger footprint resulting in less compaction.

In addition to longer tracks, the improved undercarriage also has larger drive wheels with more contact area to increase drive and service life on the belt.

Automatic track tensioning maintains proper track tension at all times, preventing premature wear of the undercarriage and ensuring the tractor moves safely and efficiently.

With that power output and a base operating weight of over 27 tonnes, the Steiger 715 Quadtrac has been designed to tow and lift some serious loads.

Its larger and sturdier steel frame accommodates a larger fuel tank that has a capacity of almost 2000 litres, allowing it to work for longer hours in between refueling.

The 50:50 weight split between the front and rear frames keeps all tracks on the ground at all times for maximum traction, assisting the tractor to handle the heaviest of loads.

Speaking of loads, the three-point hitch on the Steiger 715 Quadtrac is the largest in the industry, the brand claims, and is capable of lifting a whopping 11 tonnes at the rear.

The tractor comes with six standard hydraulic remotes or an optional eight remotes with a flow of 427l/min.

A feature that is standard on the Steiger 715 in Australia, Case IH said, is the Smart Torque hydraulic pump that provides the tractor with extra horsepower when required. The system automatically measures the hydraulic power needed by the implement and feeds any unused power back to the drivetrain as engine horsepower, allowing the tractor to pull and do more when it needs to.

Considering the cab is effectively an office where the farmer can sit for hours at a time, Case IH has equipped this Steiger 715 Quadrac cab with a range of comfort and safety features to ensure operators feel right at home.

Getting into the cab has been made safer and easier thanks to overhead guard rails right around the cab.

Sitting in the driver’s seat, vision around the machine is second to none. The new sloping hood and redesigned exhaust let drivers see more clearly around them, while the driver’s seat can be swiveled around along with the armrest to monitor the implement behind. So, no need for drivers to be craning rearwards, potentially straining necks and backs in the process.

The heated and ventilated leather air suspension seat provides ultimate comfort and ensures a smoother ride for drivers by absorbing any shock from the terrain.

The Steiger 715 Quadtrac comes standard with the AFS Pro 1200 monitor to manage the tractor’s operations, with a second AFS 1200 display available as an option.

To accommodate the mounting and installation of several monitors in the cab, Case IH has installed RAM mount rails in the headliner as well as on the right front cab post.

To match the luxurious feel of the cab, Case IH is also offering a premium sound option for operators that includes an amplifier, tweeters, a subwoofer and exposed speaker grilles for a true surround sound experience, be it for taking calls or listening to their favourite tunes.

Precision agriculture is a huge part of the Steiger 715 Quadtrac’s DNA, as operators who drive a machine of this size would probably demand a high level of accuracy, precision and efficiency in their operations.

AFS Connect is a feature Case IH introduced to its higher horsepower range about five years ago, and it allows for remote monitoring and troubleshooting of the tractor’s operations. By having access to data no matter where the operator is, they can make informed decisions from their computer at their office desk or from the palm of their hand while several thousand miles away.

The AFS Connect precision agriculture package on the Steiger 715 Quadtrac includes AFS AccuGuide for precision guidance across the paddock and ISOBUS Class 3 and the optional AccuTurn Pro headland management and AccuSync for accurate real-time data sharing across multiple pieces of equipment.

We were given the opportunity to give the mammoth Steiger 715 a go with a Horsch Tiger cultivator in tow. After a quick walkthrough from Case IH’s High Horsepower Product Manager, Justin Bryant, I took it for a spin in the wild.

While it may be a bit daunting at first, looking at the plethora of buttons and dials adorning the armrest control, the tractor was an absolute pleasure and a breeze to operate.

It’s true that the bigger and more advanced the tractor is, the easier they are to drive. In fact, with the auto steering and GPS systems that come with the machine, there’s not much driving that needs to be done!

The 16-speed PowerDrive full powershift transmission works almost like a CVT, and there was no clutching involved to change gears. Gear and speed changes were seamless.

The ride was very smooth and comfortable thanks to the excellent four-point cab suspension and suspension seat.

But what was truly remarkable was the cab’s overall comfort. The Tiger was churning up clouds of red dust behind the tractor the whole time, but the sealed and pressurised cab kept everything out. Because of that, noise was also kept at a low and comfortable level – in fact, it was hardly noticeable.

The climate control, with vents placed right around the cab, ensures a comfortable environment regardless of the conditions or weather outside.

The tractor can reach a top speed of 42.6km/h, which is good going for a machine of this weight and size.

The first shipment of the Case IH Steiger 715 Quadtrac will arrive later in the year and pricing will start from A$1.4million. However, for the size, power, technology, functionality and comfort on offer in this machine (not to mention boasting rights), I reckon it is worth every penny.

In just the last six months, manufacturers have been locked in a battle to seize the title of ‘Australia’s most powerful tractor’, with several industry stalwarts having introduced their range-toppers one after the other.

CLAAS has its award-winning XERION 12.650 TERRA TRAC with 653hp, but Case IH has pipped it with its Steiger 715. However, shortly after Case IH’s unveiling of its flagship, John Deere announced its MY2025 9RX range, which features the 9RX 830 with a rated horsepower of 830hp and max horsepower of 913hp, successfully snatching the crown, for now. However, John Deere’s models are not scheduled to arrive in the country until early next year.

Who’s going to win the power battle? Will commercial tractors breach the four-digit horsepower mark like the Big Bud did years ago? Only time will tell.

Make and model: Case IH Steiger 715 Quadtrac

Engine: FPT Cursor 16L TST twin-stage-turbo Tier 2

Engine power: rated – 715hp; max – 778hp

Max torque: 3,356 Nm @ 1,400 rpm

Transmission: PowerDrive - 16x2 gears, Full-Powershift

Hydraulics: 6 or 8 electrical rear remotes with 428l/min flow

Max rear linkage lift capacity: 10,092kg

Track width: 762mm

Fuel tank capacity: 1968.2L

Operating weight: 27760kg