A new planter prompted Dennis and Anne Volbrecht to think about replacing the Case IH 7120 Magnum tractor they owned since it was new. In 2008, they bought a six-row 30-inch Case IH 1200 Series planter to replace their Cyclo Air planter.
The greater hydraulic load posed by the new planter’s vacuum system required the older tractor to run at full rpm to drive the vacuum system and to raise and lower it.
So when the couple saw the new Magnum 180 tractor at an open house at their Case IH dealer, they were interested.
The Volbrechts farm about 550 acres of corn, soybeans and hay near Eau Claire, Wisconsin. They feed about 80 beef cows and farrow about 35 sows.
They also have “Anne’s Animals”… a collection of exotics ranging from buffalo and llamas to fainting goats, pygmy goats, Jacobs sheep, miniature and standard donkeys and goats, guinea fowl, ostriches, peacocks, ducks, cats, and a dog.
“We have preschoolers and kindergartners visit in the spring,” Anne explains. Plus, the couple say they simply enjoy having the animals.
They also work off the farm. Dennis heads up manufacturing for a regional building supply company; Anne is a labor and delivery nurse.
It all makes for a busy schedule that has them place a priority on productive, reliable equipment.
The Magnum 180 tractor the Volbrechts saw is one of four new models added to the Magnum tractor line in 2009. The Magnum 180, at 150 PTO hp, plus the Magnum 190, Magnum 210 and Magnum 225 at 165, 180 and 195 PTO hp, respectively, share features with the higher-horsepower Magnum tractor models including the Surveyor cab, the front cast iron Surround frame and a 118-inch wheelbase.
These three models are powered by a 6.75-liter engine, compared to the 8.3- and 9.0-liter engines in the higher horsepower Magnum tractors. With ample torque and electronically controlled Power Boost that generates up to 35 additional engine horsepower, this 6.75-liter engine in these Magnum models makes for a fuel-efficient tractor well-suited to a wide range of row-crop tasks.
That combination appealed to the Volbrechts. They have a higher-horsepower MX210 Magnum tractor they used for tillage. Having a tractor with the same overall size and feel, but better matched to lower-horsepower applications, made sense.
“At the open house, the salesman showed us all the features, and that sold us on it,” Dennis says.
When their Wisconsin soils warmed this spring, they coupled their new tractor to the 1200 Series planter, and put it to work.
The Magnum 180 easily handles the hydraulic requirements of the planter. Dennis says he’s able to set hydraulic pressure and flow to meet the planter’s needs through one of the tractor’s three standard remote electro-hydraulic valves (up to five remote valves are available). The tractor’s pressure-flow compensating hydraulic pump and 35.7-gpm flow keeps the planter’s vacuum pump consistently powered regardless of other demands on the system.
Because he doesn’t need to run the engine at maximum speed to get the hydraulic flow he needs, Dennis says this Magnum 180 is more fuel efficient and quieter than the 7120 Magnum tractor they traded in.
“I’m planting at 6 mph, at 1,200 to 1,300 rpm. I’m able to cut back on engine speed, gear up, and still have the power to pull the planter and keep the vacuum up,” Dennis says. It’s equipped with the standard 18-speed forward/6-speed reverse full powershift transmission. Gear changes are handled with a simple push of the thumb-controlled shift buttons. A CVT transmission, with infinitely variable speed control, is optional.
As with the higher-horsepower Magnum tractors, the Magnum 180 is well-equipped with features to increase productivity. These include the Power Boost for added power under heavy loads, the End-of-Row function for implement management, the Constant Engine Speed mode to maintain engine speed under varying loads, and shuttle shift.
The overall operator environment is designed with driver productivity in mind, as well. As on their 2166 Axial-Flow combine and the MX210 tractor, this new model has all controls clustered at the end of the armrest, which moves with the suspension seat. Instrumentation is line-of-sight in the cab corner post.
“It’s like a cockpit in there, with all the displays,” says Anne. She handles much of the farm’s tillage work, using the MX210.
Other performance advantages the Volbrechts notice with this Magnum 180 are a good tight turning radius of just 16 feet and the improved traction gained with mechanical front drive, which their 7120 lacked. “We farm on the hills here,” Anne notes.
Dennis says he also likes the ease of service. The hood is easy to unlatch. It raises from the front in a manner to provide good access to all filters and other service items. “Everything’s really handy,” he says.
While the Volbrechts haven’t yet adopted autoguidance systems, the fact that the Magnum 180, like all Magnum tractors, is factory-ready for Case IH AFS AccuGuide auto-guidance systems, which appealed to them. “If we add it, we won’t have to do a lot of aftermarket wiring,” Dennis says. “That should also be a plus for resale value.”
He notes that the cab has ample power outlets. Adding additional monitors, like the one for their large round bale mover, is simple, thanks to those provisions.
All North American model Magnum tractors are built in Racine, Wisconsin. As part of their purchase of the tractor, the Volbrechts’ Case IH dealer arranged a tour of the Magnum tractor assembly facility where they watched a tractor like theirs move throughout the assembly process. With his manufacturing background, Dennis viewed the assembly plant with special insight.
“It was pretty exciting,” he says. “I was interested in the overall process and flow, and things worked very well.
“But what impressed us more was the people working on the line. They were very cordial and open. They talked with us, and showed us whatever we wanted to see. There’s a real team effort there.”
In addition to planting, the Volbrechts will use the Magnum 180 for hauling manure and chopping corn for silage. They’re using it without weights on the front, and say it works well with the planter on their hills. “It’s a well-balanced, well-handling tractor,” Dennis says.
In spite of the time demands of livestock and crops in addition to their off-farm work, the Volbrechts are hands-on with nearly all aspects of the farm, handling chores evenings and weekends. A career nurse, Anne’s job has evolved more into third-shift on-call duties, giving her more time on the farm.
“I grew up on a farm and always wanted to get back to it,” Dennis says. Anne’s father was a veterinarian. They say the mix of off-farm and on-farm work has been a good balance. “In a way, this is therapy,” Dennis says. “I can have a frustrating day at work, then come back here and find it more relaxing to work on the farm.
“Sometimes it works the other way, too,” he adds, with a laugh.
----------------------------Owner Profile:
Dennis & Anne Volbrecht
Fall Creek, WI
Acreage: 550
Crops: Corn, soybeans, hay
Livestock: Beef cattle, hogs, exotics
Comments:
“I really like the hydraulics on this tractor, where I can set the pressure I want and not have to run the engine at full rpm.”
“The front-wheel assist really helps on these hills.”
“Gear selection is handy, using the thumb control.”
“I like the cab and the view. It’s quiet. The seat is really comfortable, and the controls are right there at your hand.”
“The tractor’s wired for everything. So if we want to add autoguidance, it’s just a matter of plugging it in.”
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