Glen Engle, of Cochranville, Pennsylvania, knows a few things about Axial-Flow combines. In fact, he knows so much about them that he doesn’t want to face any major changes in the harvesting system he’s become so familiar with since 1978.
That was the year Engle purchased an IH 1480 Axial-Flow combine, his first, and the first of that model sold in Pennsylvania. Last year, after harvesting his 2007 crop with his sixth Axial-Flow combine, a 2388, he and his son, Doug, and daughter-in-law, Jess, reviewed their options for 2008’s harvest.
For four years, they had been planting with a 12-row planter, and harvesting with a six-row corn head. That wasn’t much of a load for their Model 2388 combine; Glen says they were running up to 6 mph to keep the combine loaded.
Figuring they’d have indexing issues with an eight-row head, they knew a 12-row head would be a perfect match, and give them increased capacity. Glen, Doug and Jess are the sole labor force for their 2,000 acres of wheat, barley, corn and soybeans, and continually look for ways to do things faster, easier and better.
However, their 2388 Axial-Flow combine would be taxed handling a 12-row head, especially on their rolling fields. Case IH offered a pair of combines that would do the job, the Axial-Flow 7010 and 8010 (now the new 7120 and 8120). But the new Power Plus CVT drive systems and sophisticated electronic controls of these higher horsepower combines didn’t appeal to the Engles. They were comfortable with the traditional Axial-Flow drive system and were entirely satisfied with its performance. What they wanted was more power.
Their Case IH dealer gave them a heads-up about the new Axial-Flow 7088 combine. At 325 rated hp with power boost up to 375, it delivers 45 more hp than their current combine. And, it uses the similar but higher-capacity drive systems they had counted on over the years.
They purchased the Axial-Flow 7088 combine along with a 30-foot grain header and a 12-row corn head in time to put it to work in 100-bushel wheat.
“Putting 30 feet of straw from 100-bushel wheat through the combine is probably more of a capacity test than corn,” Glen says. “This definitely handled the 30-foot head as well as our Model 2388 combine handled the 25-foot head, probably even better. The power’s there, that’s for sure.”
As longtime Axial-Flow combine owners, the Engles have come to expect a number of improvements with each new model of combine, even as the proven Axial-Flow threshing system remains fundamentally the same. The Axial-Flow 7088 combine continues that progression.
As the Engles got acquainted with their new combine, they noticed its new styling also allows easier access to the left side of the machine, thanks to two large soy-based panels, and the toolbox can be accessed with shields in place. On the right side, a new air cleaner prescreener design discharges chaff through a chute to the ground, keeping the precleaner and the surrounding area cleaner.
Up front, a new single-point hydraulic coupler makes attaching headers faster. The feeder housing is stronger, and the feeder chain tension adjustment is easier and includes a sight gauge to identify proper tension. “That’s better,” Glen says. “Before, tightening it was kind of a guessing game.”
In the cab, the Engles say the expanded A-post gauges give them more information about combine operation. As they’re harvesting, they say they constantly keep an eye on the grain loss and tailings monitor.
When sieve adjustments are needed, the control is now conveniently located in the cab on the Axial-Flow 7088 – no more stopping to go outside.
Glen says that’s a welcome improvement that will help them do a better job of fine-tuning the threshing. “We’re making adjustments as they’re needed, rather than waiting until we’re stopped and unloading,” he says.
One big difference is the combine’s AFS Pro 600 monitor. This display is evolving as the common interface for many Case IH machines. For them, it gives them GPS-linked site-specific yield information as they move into site-specific yield mapping. Their combine has the optional Automatic Crop Settings adjustment. Controlled by the display, this feature lets them save and recall harvesting settings for crops and specific conditions, saving setup time as they move between corn and beans.
This same monitor can be moved into their Magnum 245 tractor for touch-screen control of their Case IH 1200 Series planter. And if they want to move into site-specific variable rate planting, the AFS Pro 600 monitor with the 1200 Series planter will let them do so.
Also in the cab, the multifunction propulsion control handle has been redesigned with more functions for increased productivity.
The Axial-Flow 7088 rides on a longer wheelbase compared to the Engles’ previous combine. The result, they say, is a noticeable difference in balance.
“One of the things we really noticed about this machine is how well balanced it is. With these bigger headers, on this hilly terrain, it really makes a difference,” Glen says.
In the field, the Axial-Flow 7088 performs as they expected, which is why they wanted to stay with the same basic design. Along with the improved balance and more power, they say features such as the bigger grain tank, at 300 bushels, the bigger fuel tank, at 250 gallons, and the bigger clean grain elevator make the combine a good match for the bigger headers.
Part of the grain tank’s added capacity comes from grain tank extensions, which can be equipped with an autofold option. A push of the button, as Glen demonstrates, lowers the extensions to reduce machine height.
Solid performance. As the Engles review their Axial-Flow combine history, they say they can’t recall ever being down for an entire day due to a mechanical problem. “For 30 years, that’s pretty amazing,” Glen says.
They credit service from their Case IH dealer – especially the annual Uptime service inspections – as part of the reason for this high reliability. After harvest, their dealer’s service technicians perform a detailed inspection and service on the Engles’ combine. They uncover any potential problems, and leave the machine fully serviced and field-ready.
“The backing of our Case IH dealer definitely has a lot to do with our decision to buy what we do,” Glen notes.
This new combine will help the Engles take another step forward in a path of progress that dates back to 1943 when Glen’s parents began farming and moved into the 1700s-era brick farmhouse where Doug and Jess now live. The combine’s increased capacity will help them be more timely, and their move into site-specific yield mapping will provide information to help use crop inputs more efficiently.
And, the more the Axial-Flow combines change, the Engles say they also value the aspects that stay the same. “This is the machine we’re familiar with,” Doug confirms.
--------------OWNER PROFILE
Glen, Doug and Jess Engle
Cochranville, Pennsylvania
Crops: Wheat, barley, corn, and soybeans
Acreage: 2,000
Comments:
“They lengthened the wheelbase and balanced it better for the bigger heads.”
“It has the basic design of the previous Axial-Flow combines, which we like. It’s very familiar to us.”
“The power’s there, that’s for sure.”
“The sieve adjustment is in-cab now. That’s pretty neat.”
“The feeder chain tension adjustment is easier and has a sight gauge for proper tension.”
“The side panels open up wider so we can get to things more easily.”
“The bin is bigger and the unloading speed is faster compared to the Model 2388.”
“It’s been interesting to watch the progression of improvements in these combines.”
