WESTERN PRODUCER — In the leapfrog contest of who builds the most powerful tractor, CNH Steiger has grabbed the lead with a 645 horsepower engine that has a surge capacity to 699 h.p. and with 537 h.p. at the power take-off. All of this comes without stopping to regenerate.
There are six upgraded tractors in the 2024 model year Connect series, all powered by 12.9 litre FPT engines ranging from 425 to 645 h.p. FPT diesels have eliminated the nuisance of regeneration stops. Other features include engine brakes and 600-hour oil change intervals.
The big news is the engine. The Italian diesel builder FPT is a subsidiary of Iveco, which in turn is owned by partners CNH and Fiat. For the 2024 model year, all 12.9 litre FPT engines meet the Tier 4 B/Final Stage V criteria.
Stage V is the highest level required in Europe. It is not yet required in North America.
The new engines do not use a diesel particulate filter but do require DEF. At every 100-hour interval the machine automatically cleans the catalyst. This process is invisible to the user because it does not require the engine to shut down or noticeably alter its operations..
At 600 hours, matching the oil change interval, the machine will require a manual residue cleaning process, which takes about 20 minutes.
The engines use a four-valve-per-cylinder head for increased airflow and quicker throttle response. Having four small valves rather than two larger valves means the intake air enters faster and the exhaust exits quicker.
Four valves per cylinder allows positioning of the fuel injector at the centre of the cylinder for better fuel burn efficiency.
Big tractors in this category will undoubtedly be used to haul heavy slurry tanks, water tanks, grain carts and large air drills and planters. Every year, accidents occur when towed loads overtake the tractor. To deal with this high-risk situation, CNH now has engine compression brakes on all current production Steiger and Quadtrac tractors with 12.9 litre FPT engines. Retarder brakes use the engine’s exhaust gas compression to slow the tractor, saving on wear or even failure of brake components. The feature is controlled with a button located on the operator armrest.
The company’s 2024 Steigers are available with the same transmissions as last year. Powershift is the proven 16-speed full powershift transmission with Diesel Saver APM technology. The CVXDrive Continuously Variable Transmission delivers precise speed control in heavy work conditions.
AFS Connect tractors maintain connectivity with multiple monitor options and the latest on-board technology.
There are 29 power sources in the cab, including USB charging outlets, 12 volt power ports and 120 volt power.
Hydraulic capacity of 113 gallons per minute allows operators to run at lower engine r.p.m. to conserve fuel without affecting operational performance. Eight remote valves are available.
Electro-hydraulic, colour-coded remote levers allow for streamlined hookup with easy to identify, colour-coded hydraulic valves. Spring-loaded hydraulic connector covers protect the system from dust. Encoder dials simplify adjustments to hydraulics.
The encoder acts as a mouse for the AFS Pro 1200 display. It controls phone, radio and HVAC functions. Adaptability to operate a wider range of implements is possible with 3 1/2 inch and 3 1/4 inch hydraulic valve couplers.
LED grill lights provide increased front and side visibility. Improvements include 27 percent better lighting and eight percent greater visibility. LED lights are located at every angle around the tractor to provide better visibility at night.
Connections for four cameras are standard with technology cab packages. Front and rear cameras are included with the luxury cab package. Available tire pressure monitor sensors allow operators to monitor and view tire pressure through the AFS Pro 1200 display.
The three-point hitch provides up to 22,750 pounds lifting capacity through a unique hitch design that offers 12.8 percent increased lift over the previous design. A self-tensioning track system is incorporated into the suspension mounts on the undercarriage. Heavy-Duty axles handle up to 66,000 pounds of gross vehicle operating weight, which is split 50-50 between front and rear. Four-way cab suspension creates a smooth ride in all terrain.
The 2024 AFS series is available in Quadtrac, a Steiger heavy-duty, wheeled tractor, Rowtrac and scraper models. The latter can run at five miles per hour while taking cuts of up to four inches of soil.
The fuel capacity is 470 gallons.
