New Look denotes performance history rewrite

One of the most enduring successes in the world of farm machinery, Case IH's Axial-Flow combine continues to go from strength to strength.

Last year the Axial-Flow combine celebrated its silver anniversary and, in its 25 years, the combine has gathered a hugely loyal following.

Now, that loyalty is being paid back with interest in the shape of the 'new generation' AFX 8010.

Not only does the AFX combine bring with it yet another sea change in productivity and output, but also a dramatic, modern outward face, projecting the machine's impressive legacy forward into the future.

The proven Axial-Flow® rotary design has always provided significant technological advantages in terms of simplicity, grain quality, grain savings and crop adaptability, offering the best possible value from a combine harvester.

Now, with the 400hp (295kW) AFX 8010 model, customers will benefit even further from a significant overall performance boost and from specific improvements.

It features, for example, the 30" AFX rotor that benefits from experience gained from the X-Clusive rotor on the 2388 model in the 2300 X-Clusive Series, which continues to be offered alongside the new model.

But the new-generation Axial-Flow also gains from a novel configuration that gives massive powered threshing and separation areas.

The rotor-wrap comprises four interchangeable modules, each with a right-hand and a left-hand piece to allow quick and easy replacement from either side of the machine. Each module, which, at just 18kg, is almost half the weight of the concave components on previous models, is removed from its cradle by loosening just two bolts, while a new drive line improves overall access to the threshing and separation area.

An increase in wrap angle on the rotor-wrap concave and grate modules of 15% and 32% respectively gives the AFX Axial-Flow significantly greater separation area than in previous models.

Feeding the AFX appetite

Other elements of the AFX combine  intake, cleaning system, grain tank size and unloading rates  have been geared to match the fantastic capacity associated with this increase in separation area.

Thus, for example, the optional new 2040 Series header will provide an ideal partner. Its forward knife position helps to smooth the transition of crop to the feed auger, allowing higher forward speeds, and therefore throughput, to be maintained. The proven 2030 Series headers are also available.

The feeder house opening has been significantly widened to 1.37m.

Meanwhile, a new wider transition cone design and impeller configuration are gentle on the grain and promote a more consistent flow of material for better and smoother feeding and a quieter and more fuel-efficient operation.

A Rock Trap is a further option. Helical blades maintain constant contact with the crop as it passes below them to provide a very positive feed.

As for cleaning, the three-step cleaning system with its cascade sieve avoids overloading on the top sieve, and increases the total sieve area to 6.5m2, while a quiet-running, large-diameter Cross-Flow™ fan produces a strong flow of air. The fan is hydraulically driven using a load-sensing system so that a consistent airflow is maintained even if engine rpm should drop.

A self-levelling cleaning system, including grain pan, is a new feature for the AFX ,fully compensating for side slopes of up to 17% and enabling it to be optimally loaded across its width for ultimate productivity.

Remote electric sieve adjustment  either from the cab, or from the rear of the machine  is another brand-new feature.

A dedicated tailings processor, which avoids unnecessary loadings on the threshing system, uses triple impellers for ultra-thorough processing.

Large-capacity clean grain elevators  60% greater in cross-section area than the X-Clusive's  a 10,500-litre grain tank and an unloading rate of 105 litres/min to match the slickest harvest operation complete the capacity-engineered picture.

Engineered for excellence

Key to the ability of the AFX 8010 to deliver these consistently high levels of performance is its rotor drive system incorporating Power Plus drive

Harnessing continuously variable transmission technology, this innovative new feature is unique among combine harvesters.

It offers inherently efficient power transfer, allows the rotor to be reversed remotely in the case of a blockage and, importantly, completely dispenses with the need for rotor drive belts.

The Power Plus drive system allows the speed of the rotor to be infinitely varied within three different mechanical ranges, across an overall range from 220rpm to 1200rpm.

The Power Plus drive is also available for the feeder/header, with patented auto feeder to ground speed control.

Leaves all in its wake

The state of the field after the crop has been removed is an increasingly important factor in a growing number of farming systems.

In response, the AFX's improved residue management system, based on an integral chopper/beater, now caters for every requirement, including the need to windrow straw but spread the chaff.

Its hydraulically driven variable-speed spreaders not only direct material up to 9m to each side of the combine body, according to header width, but also, importantly, below it, to give a truly uniform spread pattern. They may also be adjusted to compensate for side winds.

Conversion from chopping to swathing modes is fast and easy, with no need for tools. When swathing, a sliding extension directs material over the spreaders, giving a better trajectory and resulting in a more easily recoverable swath that rests on the surface of the stubble.

A re-designed rear axle, with improved castor angle, along with the fact that the integral chopper/beater on the AFX 8010 makes for a shorter machine, results in an impressive 4m turning radius, depending on tyre choice. This means that headland turns can be completed without the need to reverse with the 9.15m header.

Performance environment

The AFX Axial-Flow's Deluxe Cab is a major improvement over the already excellent cab on the current Axial-Flow range, with best-in-class standards of space, quietness, visibility, comfort and convenience.

Standard issue includes a 5.8m2 cabin, automatic temperature control, fully adjustable air-suspension seat, three-way steering column adjustment, roomy instructor seat and electrical gear shifting. High-intensity discharge working lights are optional extras.

Controls are integrated into the new right-hand console that moves with the seat, a feature already well-received on the 2300 X-Clusive.

The in-cab Universal Display Plus large touchscreen shows combine function settings/monitoring as well as Case IH's Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) features. These include, exclusively, real-time on-the-go yield and moisture mapping.

The four screen 'views' on the Universal Display Plus monitor are fully configurable and can therefore be personalised to display the operator's preferred selection of data.

The on-board computer system holds seven factory crop 'pre-sets', including concave setting, sieve opening and rotor and fan speeds, and also allows for an additional 11 crop data sets to be programmed by the operator and titled for easy recall.

A large, 1,000 litre fuel tank, plus low routine service and maintenance requirements mean that more time can be spent harvesting and less on preparation. For example, rather than a daily requirement, the first lubrication interval is at 50 hours.

Where service access is required, it is made simple by a large service platform, several service decks and all-round easy access, for example to engine and cooling system.

Other main features:

• fully automatic Terrain Tracker™ system for auto header height control and float

• two pre-set programmab