Case IH takes out Tractor of the Year award
Case IH's Optum 300 CVX wins top accolade in Bologna, ItalyFollowing its '2016 Machine of the Year' win, Case IH's new Optum range of lightweight tractors has swept up yet another prestigious accolade – this time the '2017 Tractor of the Year' award.
The award was announced and presented on November 9 at the EIMA trade show in Bologna, Italy.
According to Case IH, the Optum CVX range is built in St Valentin, Austria and sits between the Magnum and Puma range.
"We have created a totally new, strong yet lighter weight design, with new strong front axle and structural engine oil sump design, to meet demands of customers requiring a 250-300hp tractor with a high power-to-weight ratio in a compact, manoeuvrable layout," says Case IH high-horsepower tractor product marketing manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Dan Stuart.
"That means it’s well-suited to tasks where high power is essential but weight less so – such as working with large mowers, for example, where it’s important to protect the sward."
He adds for applications in which traction and grip are critical, such as heavy cultivation, the Optum CVX can be weighted to make it suit the task at hand.
"And for road transport, the Optum can be ballasted according to the weight of the load it is pulling, for maximum safety and fuel efficiency," Stuart says.
Power is delivered via a FPT 6.7-litre six-cylinder engine and continuously-variable Case IH CVX transmission.
The range features a number of fuel-saving functions such as idle speed management.
"The result is a tractor that protects the soil, in that it can be operated at a weight that suits the work," Stuart says.
"And it protects against high fuel consumption, as proven by DLG Powermix test results of 249 g/kWh.
"The 'Tractor of the Year' award shows how important those characteristics are considered to be in modern agriculture.”
The Optum range is currently on its way to Australia, but will be available in a CVT configuration instead of the European CVX models.
In addition to an overall winner, several other tractor makes and models took home special mention awards including "Best Utility" and "Best Design".
The winners for 2017 are:
- Tractor of the Year: Case IH Optum 300 CVX
- Best Utility: New Holland T5.120
- Best of Specialised: Antonio Carraro Tony 9800 TR
- Best Design: Deutz-Fahr 6215 RCshift
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