Optum headed Down Under

After sweeping up prestigious awards overseas and taking the global agricultural industry by storm, Case IH's Optum CVT tractor range is finally heading for Aussie shores.

The announcement was made at Case IH's National Dealer Conference in Uluru today. Case IH Vice President of Global Tractor Marketing, Christian Huber, was present at the conference to launch the Optum CVT which is expected to touch down in the country by August this year.

Manufactured in St Valentin, Austria, the Optum CVT range consists of two models with 6.7-litre NEF engines from FPT Industrial, with 270 or 300 horsepower at a rated speed of 2100rpm and a maximum power of 313 horsepower at 1800rpm.

An advanced Hi-eSCR system ensures the engine is compliant with Tier 4B engine emissions standards.

The Optum range sits between Case IH's renowned Magnum and Puma series, and according to the manufacturer, combines the versatility and manoeuvrability of a Puma with the power of a Magnum.

Case IH Product Manager, Peter Elias, says the Optum range was developed after an in-depth consultation with customers to gauge their demands and expectations for a high horsepower tractor.

"One key requirement Australian farming and contracting businesses focus on is the manoeuvrability and compact dimensions of highly versatile and powerful tractors - that is what our development engineers kept in mind," he says.

"We are convinced that the Case IH Optum CVT will soon be appreciated as a truly versatile and reliable high performer."

A key feature of the Optum range is the CVT (continuously variable transmission) technology which has been carried over from the long wheelbase Puma range. It has been reinforced to handle the extra power of the Optum CVT, with a strengthened casting, new rear axle and double planetary final drives.

The CVT has a useable speed range from 20m/h to a top speed of 50km/h, without needing to change any gears. The transmission also has an active stop feature like the rest of the CVT range.

A design change where the engine sump serves as the backbone of the tractor, removing stress from the engine block, means the Optum CVT is capable of a maximum gross vehicle weight of 16,000kg.

"This increased weight helps ensure the additional power gets to the ground, but we’ve achieved this without compromising agility," Elias says.

Other key features on the Optum CVT include:

• New reactive steering for comfortable driving at speed as the steering wheel returns to the straight ahead position

• ABS/ABS advanced and automatic park lock

• 4-speed rear PTO, 2-speed front PTO

• Closed centre load sensing hydraulic system - 220 litres/min hydraulic flow with separate steering and transmission systems

• 630 litres diesel tank and 96 litres AdBlue tank

• Rear linkage with 11,058kg maximum lifting power at ball ends

• Front linkage with 5,821kg maximum lifting power at ball ends

• Headland Management Control (HMC II) and remote file transfer function

Case IH says the Optum CVT will be available in limited numbers this year.  The Optum 300 on 600/70R30 & 650/85R38 tyres is priced at $A273,208.00.

For more information about the new Optum tractor range, contact your local Case IH dealer or visit caseih.com