2015 is another milestone year for Case IH with the 100th year anniversary of the Deering Model #1 and the industry recognition of over 180 years of harvesting innovation. Along the way, those innovations have aided farmers in getting more done in less time without sacrificing grain quality. In 1977, the Axial-Flow rotor system, a radical departure at the time, was introduced. The 135 hp model 1440 and 170 hp 1460 were hydrostatic driven with three-speed transmissions. With 92 gallons of onboard fuel, 145/180 bushel storage capacity and 4750 square inches of sieve area, the Axial-Flow system’s simplicity and reliability proved to be a success and remain the backbone of today’s Case IH combine lineup.
New for 2016 (orders are now being taken) are the 140/240 series combines. Replacing the three-model 30 Series, which included the Class VII 7230, Class VIII 8230 and Class IX 9230, is a six-model lineup. Three models, the Class VII 7240, Class VIII 8240 and Class IX 9240 are “flagship” combines, while the Class V 5140, Class VI 6140 and Class VII 7140 are “midrange” models and are included in the lineup by customer demand.
All 140/240 series combines are EPA Final Tier 4 (FT4 or Tier 4B) compliant using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) along with diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) to achieve those standards. The SCR system is aftertreatment-based and as such doesn’t rob engine power or create additional heat as do the EGR systems used by most competitors. There is also no diesel particulate filter (DPF) to further complicate things. The SCR-based system used by Case IH delivers a 95% reduction in NOx and has been proven in more than 53,000 engines running more than 25 million hours in North America alone. For the 140 series, the engines used displace 6.7 liters for the 5140 and 8.7 liters for the 6140 and 7140.
The 5140 comes with a power rating of 265 with a power rise of 43 that boosts max output to 308 horsepower. For the 6140, the power rating is 348 with a power rise of 63, boosting the max output to 411 gross horsepower. For the 7140, the power rating is 375 with a power rise of 67, boosting max output to 442 horsepower.
Feeder width is 45.5”, running off a belt drive with hydraulic reverser. Order the optional lateral tilt system and the feeder can be adjusted +/- 5-degrees. Header lift cylinders measure 2.95” for the 5140 and 3.15” for the 6140 and 7140.
The threshing/separating system is rotary and also runs off a belt drive. The AFX rotor has constant pitch impellers to draw crop and air into the rotor and can be configured to adapt to crop and threshing conditions using straight bars, spiked rasps and helical kickers. Rotor speed is adjustable from 250 to 1150 rpm and the system uses three concave modules which wrap 156.5 degrees for threshing and 133 degrees for separating. The concave modules weigh just 38 lbs so they are easier to configure and can be cleaned by one person. There is no active grain pan, but a grain loss monitor is standard fare.
The 58” wide cleaning system is fixed and covers 7,947 square inches. Driving the cross-flow 11.4” diameter cleaning fan is a belt variator, variable in speed from 450 to 1300 rpm. The cleaning system is built to handle the tough residue associated with today’s new crop genetics.
A simplified elevator system measures 8 x 11.1” and can move up to 4,000 bushels/hr., with tailings returning to the rotor, and feed a 250 bushel tank (5140) or 300 bushel tank (6140 and 7140). In standard configuration, the tank hopper extensions fold manually but in-cab control is an option. Helping unload grain from the 5140 is a 21.5’ auger that can move 2.5 bushels/second. For the 6140 and 7140 the auger length is 25.8’ and the unloading rate is 3.2 bushels/second.
With 110 cubic feet of space and 62 square feet of glass, the 40 Series have one of the largest cabs available. The environment is quiet, plush, and with superb sightlines over the entire header. There is a cell phone cradle with power port and as part of the luxury package a portable fridge fits under the instructor seat which also folds down to create a handy workspace. The comfortable air-ride seat comes in cloth with a leather option and when adjusted or swiveled the motion is mirrored by the right arm multi-function console and handle.
140 Series machines run on a 150.2” wheelbase and are 2WD with eight tire options for singles and nine for duals. Minimum weight across the models is 33,715, 34,130 and 34,850 lbs for the 5140, 6140 and 7140 respectively. Height to the top of the cab is 153.6” for the 5140 and 153.8” for the 6140 and 7140.
A variety of headers including draper, corn and grain/pickup are available for 140 Series combines and come in several widths in chopping and non-chopping configurations. MSRP begins at $351,122 for the 5140 and $405,461 for the 7140 with the 6140 in between. Compared to the 240 Series which begin at $438,580 for the 7240 and $497,719 for the 9240, the savings can be substantial.
So, what does the 140 series give up for the price differential? Horsepower is an obvious disparity, but is somewhat tempered by the 7-8,000 lbs. of additional weight. Grain hopper storage, auger throughput, and capacity to accept larger headers also stand out, but the two biggest differences are the lack of a CVT drive in the 140 machines and the fixed cleaning system verses the self-leveling one available in the 240 combines that oscillates forward, backwards, and side-to-side for improved cleaning on slopes up to 12.1 degrees. Other than those nuances, the 140/240 series share the same cab, have the same AFX rotor, and are backed by a manufacturer which has stood behind its product for more than 180 years.
For an agribusiness looking to upgrade its harvesting capability, the 140 Series Axial-Flow machines from Case IH would be well worth considering.
(Source – http://www.tractor.com/manufacturers/case-ih/2016-case-ih-140-series-axialflow-combines-1742.html)