RACINE, Wis. - Maintaining its legacy of producing heavy-duty, dependable forage equipment Case IH has made several upgrades to its mower line up. With these new mowers, Case IH continues to provide rugged, long-lasting machines while improving user productivity and simplifying serviceability. “Our customers choose Case IH because they require durable and dependable equipment that can last season after season,” says Krista Knigge, Case IH hay and forage marketing manager. “Not only do these new mowers live up to their billing as heavy-duty, they also exemplify our commitment to simplifying maintenance and improving productivity.”

Shock Hub Now Standard

New models of key mower, mower conditioner and mower conditioner header products now feature a shock protection system. This system replaces the drive hub of discs with a shock hub, making in-field repairs fast and easy after encountering field obstructions.

“This new standard option helps prevent those time-robbing, expensive field failures when an obstruction is encountered,” says Knigge. “The shock hub ‘takes the blow’ from collisions with rocks and debris while protecting the internal components of the cutterbed.” Shock hubs are now standard on:

* MD Series disc mowers, previously known as the MDX Series, including heavy-duty models MD72, MD82, MD92 (economy models MDX21, MDX31, MDX41 are still offered, but remain unchanged) * DC Series disc mower conditioners, previously known as the DCX Series, including DC92 , DC102, DC132, DC162 * RD Series mower conditioner headers, previously known as RDX Series, including RD132, RD162, RD182 * TD102 pull-type disc mowers—a new mower that can be used with lighter weight tractors

New Pull-Type Disc Mower

The TD102 pull-type disc mower is the newest member of the Case IH hay and forage product family. It has a 10-foot 4-inch cutting width and a 60-hp minimum tractor PTO requirement. Growers can use a lighter weight tractor with the TD102 because the weight is being pulled instead of carried on the three-point hitch as with traditional mounted disc mowers.

“The advantage of this pull-type disc mower is easy tractor attachment and removal,” says Knigge. Attaching or detaching from the tractor is accomplished with a simple clevis hitch to the tractor drawbar.”

More Flail Options

Case IH also has updated the DC Series disc mower conditioner making flail conditioning an option on all models. “This option is especially appealing to those who are looking for aggressive conditioning of grass crops without stem damage,” says Knigge.

Case IH flails are free swinging, straight but tapered, and bigger at the bottom than the top. The crop is released at a higher trajectory and falls naturally. “It sits on top of the stubble, for quicker drying and better airflow around the windrow,” says Knigge. The DC series is now available with roll and flail options on the following models:

* DC92 and DC102 side-pull disc mower conditioners * DC132 and DC162 center-pivot disc mower conditioners

The DC Series also has a new low-profile rock-guard design that gives growers improved durability, easy service and clean cutting.

Larger Headers

Additional upgrades have also been made to the RD Series of disc mower conditioner headers, which are known for their modular cutterbed that handle thick, tangled crops with ease. The rotary header on the RD182 disc mower conditioner header now features a full length auger, eliminating the need for co-rotating discs.

The SC101 center-pivot sickle mower conditioner, which provides the maneuverability and capacity of a self-propelled unit, has been upgraded with larger headers. Growers can choose from three cutting widths – 14 feet, 16 feet and 18 feet. The SC101 center-pivot sickle mower conditioner also features a new hydraulic pump and telescoping PTO drive, making it easier to connect to the tractor PTO. Additionally, the pump is mounted on a swivel base, which ensures constant alignment of the PTO shaft to minimize wear and tear on universal joints. Case IH is a global leader in agricultural equipment, committed to collaborating with its customers to develop the most powerful, productive, reliable equipment – for those who demand more. With headquarters in the United States, Case IH has a network of dealers and distributors that operates in over 160 countries. Case IH provides agricultural equipment systems, flexible financial service offerings and parts and service support for professional farmers and commercial operators through a dedicated network of professional dealers and distributors. Productivity enhancing products include tractors; combines and harvesters; hay and forage equipment; tillage tools; planting and seeding systems; sprayers and applicators; and site-specific farming tools. Case IH is a brand of CNH (NYSE: CNH), a majority-owned subsidiary of Fiat Group (FIA: MI).

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Photo caption: Shock hubs are now standard on key models of Case IH mowers, mower conditioners and mower conditioner header products. The shock hub absorbs the impact from rocks and debris while protecting internal components of the cutterbed.

For more information contact your local Case IH dealer.