Axial-Flow combine stands out for grower

Hard-working broadacre farmer Peter Baker - with dad Barry and brothers Richard and Paul - recently acquired two new Case IH Axial-Flow 9230 combine harvesters for the summer season.

Belgium, the family's 2000ha property just outside of Howlong in NSW, is currently producing about 700ha of maize (corn) and lupin seed, while in winter, wheat, canola and barley flourish.

"Last harvest, we had a demonstration of the Case IH harvesters and were pretty impressed," Peter said.

"When our local dealer got us a great deal on the two Axial-Flow combines, it was an easy decision."

Peter said he and his team also attended the Combine School at the Case IH headquarters at St Marys in western Sydney NSW - a unique opportunity for owners to learn how to get the most out of their larger combines.

"That was great - we learned how to set up and familiarise ourselves with the machines," he said.

The Axial-Flow combine harvesters offer farmers superior power, efficiency and comfort throughout the season while the intuitive design simplifies harvesting.

Peter said the harvesters had been terrific.

"We're extremely happy. The cab is really comfortable and it's so simple to operate - you can just jump in and start harvesting," he said.

"My teenage son drives (the harvester). I can walk away and leave him to it, which I couldn't do with other machines."

Case IH dealer O'Connor's in Corowa supplied the harvesters, which have so far done about 250 hours in the field.

Both harvesters were fitted with 45-inch 2152 Draper Fronts, 16-inch 3016 Pick Up Fronts and Case IH AccuGuide.

O'Connor's Corowa sales manager Phil Penny said the Axial-Flow was ideal for producers such as Peter.

"It adapts to many different crops so easily," he said.

"It's really easy to set up and maintain the settings, so you can go harvesting without changing much.

"Plus, it produces an excellent quality sample with minimal grain loss."

The innovative redesigned cab also sets new industry standards in convenience, comfort and operator ergonomics, offering:

·A slim multifunction propulsion handle, putting the most commonly used controls in fingers' reach and providing more flexibility during the challenge of chaser bin fill process.

·Upgraded right hand console, with simple ergonomic controls and adjustable display.

·iPod connectivity.

·Portable electric refrigerator stored under the instructor's seat, to keep food and drinks cool on hot summer days.

These exclusive features combine with an AFS Pro 700 display for yield monitoring and machine and guidance control in the cab.

To save time, operators get in-cab control of the grain tank extensions and inclined delivery auger as standard in all models.

Harvest and transport speeds are also increased, thanks to the new heavy duty drive system.

Phil said this meant less soil compaction, a higher load-carrying capacity, longer tyre life and better traction year-round.

"Because they have fewer moving parts than other machines, the harvesters are virtually maintenance free and less expensive to maintain," he said.