It is no secret that the machinery market is in the Doldrums at present, with manufacturers reporting massive falls in turnover and profit, one of the reasons often being given is that equipment has become just too expensive.
To be fair to the makers, there has been a huge increase in costs over the last few years and energy prices remain high. This, coupled with generous pay demands, has meant that prices have had to go up and they will remain that way.
In response to this new landscape, there has been a trend towards companies reducing the price of machinery through stripping out complexity and reducing the specification of models with Case being the latest to tread this path.
Powershift at 240hp
The company has recently announced that the 240/270hp Case IH Puma 240 can now be specified with a PowerDrive full powershift as an alternative to the standard CVXDrive continuously-variable transmission.
This, it said, will provide buyers with more choice at this power level to match tasks, workloads and, more importantly, budgets.
Available on Puma 240 models with either electronic or mechanical remote valves, the new transmission option provides 18 or 19 forward speeds, depending on whether the tractor is ordered in 40km/hr or 50km/hr maximum speed configuration. Both provide six reverse speeds.
Case notes that the largest Puma model previously available with PowerDrive full powershift was the 220hp/260hp Puma 220, meaning that rather than technology trickling down the range, manufacturing simplicity is seeping up, a complete reversal of the norm.
Other changes to Puma range
Elsewhere in the Puma range, there is now the option of larger group 48 (2.05m) tyres for the Puma 185 and 200 with CVXDrive.
In addition, the class 4.5 front axle is available on the full powershift Puma 185/200/220/240 with PowerDrive. This increases load capacity by 13%, allowing heavier front end implements or adding robustness for loader work.
The axle upgrades permit an increased gross vehicle weight of 14,000kg on Puma models with PowerDrive. On Puma tractors with CVXDrive this figure is 15,000kg, thanks to engine side rails and a combination of the heavy duty rear and class 4.5 front axles.
