Case Ih Magnum 310

PROFI TEST Driving impression: Case IH Magnum 310

Magnum flexes more muscle

T

he Magnum name conjures a certain picture. Mighty US arable prairie tractor. Distinctive sounding Cummins engine. Clonky powershift gearbox. Commodious cabin. Broad mudguard shoulders – and equally broad rubber beneath. It’s a man’s tractor that is most at home lugging big implements across big fields. An arable prime mover. End of story. Well, not exactly. Although much of the above still applies, the latest generation Magnum now comes with the option of 50km/hr travel and a suspended front axle which could, we suspect, see buyers looking to extend the application load of a machine that has traditionally been restricted to 12 weeks’ hard arable labour in the autumn – plus, maybe, a later bit of winter ploughing. Farm job list aside, the main story here, of course, is the appearance of ‘cleaner’ Tier III-compliant spec engines. On the pictured 310 flagship model, that means a 9-litre Cummins motor with four-valve/ cyl technology, common-rail injection and a tank capacity of 682 litres. Completing the line-up are three smaller Magnum siblings, these tractors utilising the more familiar 8.3-litre sized lump, again with 24 valves and common-rail:

Easy, as it undeniably is, to dismiss all recent high-hp tractor introductions as wholly Tier III enforced, most manufacturers take the opportunity to build in a few additional specification tweaks, too. The Magnum is a case in point, as we find out on this brief tour around an early example of Case IH’s 310 flagship Model Magnum 225 Magnum 250 Magnum 280 Magnum 310

Rated output* 165/224 185/252 205/279 227/309

Max output* 189/257 210/285 230/313 254/345

Price £72,270 £77,976 £85,483 £93,779

* Outputs (kW/hp) are to ISO 14396

Rated output is a claimed 2,000rpm, while maximum power kicks in as engine revs fade to 1,800rpm. And even more impressive are the new Magnum torque figures which, on the 310 model, are quoted as a 1,500Nm maximum, 40% torque rise and 26kW/36hp of extra power. The fact that the 1,000rpm pto speed is now reached at a relatively modest 1,800rpm should also bring a welcome benefit in terms of fuel consumption.

shift through from first gear all the way up to number 23. More importantly for most operators, though, Case IH claims an improvement in shift quality of both transmissions, to the extent that the previously mentioned trademark clonkiness has now all but gone. Sadly, our extremely brief around-the-yard drive on an early 310 means we’re unable to comment with any real

Armrest additions include depth-controlling knob and headland management buttons.

Case IH’s 227kW/309hp (rated speed to ISO) Magnum 310 flagship model squeezes a six-pot, 9-litre Cummins lump under its hood.

On down the driveline to a development just as significant as the new motor, Magnum’s transmission choice has been expanded to two. Out goes the old 40km/hr 18F/4R powershift, to be replaced by a 19F/4R unit that is capable of propelling the tractor at 50km/hr and comes with air and hydraulic braking systems. Second gearbox option is a 23F/6R creeper, which allows a clutchless

Hands up. This picture was supplied by the manufacturer, because our introduction to Magnum was restricted to a brief yard drive.

A-post display is updated and now incorporates climate control.

Linkage, pto and one spool can be controlled from either mudguard.

Lower link stabilisers can now be requested on the Magnum. Photos: Manufacturer, ST conviction on this enhanced transmission smoothness. This will have to wait for a full tractor test.

Other changes around the Magnum fall more into the spec ‘tweak’ category. For example, the cab console now includes a large knob for setting the depth control whereas, out on the now more curved mudguards, conventional linkage knobs are joined by external control of the pto and one spool, the latter being particularly handy for those operators using a hydraulic top link. This modern theme continues with news that, later on in 2006, these tractors gain the option of auto steering, auto pto engage and a full headland management system, which will record and deliver up to 30 functions including linkage operation, four-wheel drive, diff lock, gear selected, engine rpm and spools. There will also be an ISO connector for coupling up to suitably equipped ag implements. As for other specification upgrades to the 2006 Magnum, here’s just a selection: ■ A wiper clears the offside window.

profi 2/2006

0B www.profi.co.uk

And what about those boys in blue?

CNH’s blue brand, New Holland,

gives its TG range a similar engine/ transmission update but takes the opportunity to change the name, too – hence the launch of the T8020, T8030 and T8040 (profi 12/05 p8). Also of note is that there are still key design areas separating Magnum and ‘T’. Engine/transmission configuration is different, SuperSteer is only available in blue, and the 9-litre motor is only offered on Magnum.

New Holland’s high-hp tractors have been subjected to a similar update, and are now tagged ‘T’ rather than ‘TG’. Photo: HW. ■ Lighting package option includes five Xenon lights as well as one halogen light on either side of the cab. ■ Optional ‘follow me home’ function delays the headlight turn-off for a few minutes after the engine shuts down. ■ Seat features semi-active suspension and a four-step heating system. ■ Auto climate control settings appear on the A-post display. ■ Maximum gross vehicle weight rating climbs to 17.5t, and there’s approval for booting up with wider tyres – 800/70R38, for example. Summary: The Magnum story moves on with the introduction of the four Tier IIIcompliant models. Main highlights are the increase in available power and the option to specify front suspension and 50km/hr max travel. HW