McCormick comes back

All five McCormick MTX tractors are equipped with six-cylinder, 6.0-L Perkins engines. All are ISO mounted on a cast steel chassis with rubber mounts for extended engine life and reduced NVH.

In this era of acquisitions and consolidations that often result in the disappearance of brands, one of the oldest has returned. Tracing the history of McCormick is like tracing Kevin Bacon back to Kevin Bacon. History buffs, pay attention.

In 1831, Cyrus McCormick invented the first mechanical reaper. In 1902, International Harvester (IH) is formed by McCormick and other equipment manufacturers including Champion, Deering, Milwaukee, and Plano. IH entered the tractor market in 1906, introducing the McCormick 15-30 and the smaller McCormick 10-20 tractors in 1923. In the 1930s, McCormick tractor manufacturing moved into new plant facilities in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England.

In 1985, the IH Farm Equipment Division was purchased by J.I. Case Co. In 1999, Case was purchased by Fiat and merged with New Holland to form CNH. The European Commission approval of the merger required several divestitures, including the sale of the Doncaster plant and the McCormick brand, as well as sale of the commercial, design, and technical rights to Case's CX and MXC tractor lines. The Landini Corp. bought the Doncaster Works assets from Case as well as CNH's St. Dizier transmission plant in France. With production on McCormick tractors having started once again at Doncaster, Landini claims now to be the fourth largest tractor manufacturer "in the Western world."

Both McCormick and Case tractors are currently being produced on the line at Doncaster. One of the biggest differences between the two lines is that the six-cylinder McCormick tractors are powered by Perkins' engines rather than Cummins. McCormick has also introduced an optional Speed Sequencer system for the 88 to 131-kW (118 to 176-hp) MTX series, the first of which came off the line in June 2001. The system allows the operator to shift through the powershift speeds and ranges at the touch of a button, replacing the range lever with a sophisticated multi-function controller. While there are also some cosmetic differences between the two tractor lines, McCormick claims that within a year, the line will be totally unique to McCormick.

The optional deluxe cab of the CX series tractors feature wide front windows, fully glazed doors, and one-piece wrap-around side windows.

One of the finishing touches to McCormick's reemergence as a viable tractor manufacturer occurred late last year, when the company entered into an alliance with Vermeer Mfg. Co., forming McCormick International USA Inc. The new company will be based near, and supported through, Vermeer's corporate facilities in Pella, IA. The arrangement calls for Vermeer to handle parts support and whole-goods logistics. McCormick International USA will handle marketing, sales, and customer service. McCormick Tractors International, Ltd. will be responsible for manufacturing, engineering, and new product development.

McCormick's initial U.S. launch will incorporate 12 new tractors from the CX, MC, and MTX series. The CX features an oscillating four-wheel-drive front axle for improved ground clearance, a tight turning radius, and improved traction. With a 55° steering angle, the turning radius is less than 4.6 m (15 ft). Two-wheel drive is an option on most models, accounting for about 15% of total volume. A synchro shuttle lever mounted on the left side of the steering wheel allows for quick control of forward and reverse functions, freeing the right hand to control the joystick for chores such as load, lift, and hay handling.

The CX has three transmission options. The base transmission is an 8F/8R synchro shuttle. Headland turns are managed by a 16F/8R synchro-shuttle gearbox, with two-speed powershift, which is optional on the smaller 54-kW (73-hp) model. The engagement of powershift reduces speed by 17%, giving a 20% rise in torque to pull through difficult conditions without declutching. The machine can also be equipped with an optional creep speed, providing an additional eight forward and four reverse speeds below the lowest standard gear for a total of 24F/12R.

The electronic three-point linkage control on the CX uses a rocker switch on the main operator console to control the lowering and raising of implements. Large capacity hydraulic pumps deliver uninterrupted hydraulic oil flow directly to the remote valves, contributing to a shortened front loader cycle time. The hydraulic system has flow rates up to about 60 L/min (16 gal/min), and the hydraulic oil-tank capacity is 37 L (9.8 gal).

The MC series consists of three four-cylinder models of 67, 76, and 86 kW (90, 102, and 115 hp). Case first began development on the MC115 around 1996-1997, though development on the tractor was stopped. Today, McCormick considers the MC115 the "first true" product of its revival.

The MC series tractors are powered by four-cylinder, 4.0-L Perkins engines. A full-tilting hood and easy-to-remove side panels provide quick access for routine maintenance.

All the MC units are powered by a turbocharged Perkins four-cylinder, 4.0-L diesel engine rated at 2200 rpm with up to 37% PTO torque rise. A viscous fan and wastegate turbocharger contribute to enhanced power and economy. An intercooled wastegate turbo is used on the larger MC115 model.

The four-wheel-drive units are equipped with limited slip differential lock. A 55° steering angle works in conjunction with a 6° caster angle for a turning radius that ranges from 4.4 to 4.5 m (14.3 to 14.7 ft) without brakes, depending on model size. The machine's oscillating front axle adds to improved load-carrying capacity, improved maneuverability, and stability on uneven ground. The console-mounted rocker switch engages and disengages four-wheel drive on the go.

The MC's single lever transmission control makes it suitable for loader and blade work. The four-speed, 16F/12R powershift transmission allows operators to shift throughout the gear ranges with a thumb switch on top of the range lever instead of using the clutch. A synchronized forward/reverse power shuttle with neutral is located on the left side of the steering wheel for fingertip control. The system is electronically adjusted and coupled with wet disc brakes. An optional 32F/24R creeper transmission is available.

The two-speed PTO on the MC series features a dry change 6/21 reversible spline shaft for total compatibility and incorporates systems for automatic cut out and smooth, shock-free engagement. The pressure-flow compensating axial piston pumps deliver up to 106 L/min (28 gal/min) to the remote valves. The electronic hitch includes motion control for enhanced ride quality.

Currently, McCormick is focusing its energy on manufacturing and marketing tractors and has no concrete plans to introduce any other implements.

A Claas of telescopic loaders

Engineers from Claas designed its new range of telescopic handlers specifically for agricultural applications that go beyond traditional applications and include the loading of bulk goods, stacking bales, or transporting manure and compost.

According to Claas, telescopic loaders continue to replace front loaders on tractors and wheel loaders for many agricultural applications. It is then an ideal environment for the company to launch two new series of telescopic loaders with a total of five new models, named Targo, and designed specifically for efficient handling on a farm.

The driver sits in the middle of the machine with a clear view of any front attachments and the sides and rear via a large curved windscreen. Claas used an "international design team" to harmonize cab layout, recognizing an operator's general "intuitive patterns" to minimize machine training time. The driver's seat is adjustable, and an electrohydraulic Solo Control joystick built into the right armrest acts as the central load handling control. The proportional-control joystick moves with the seat, though it also has an independent adjustment if required. Shifting functions for the powershift transmission are on the left. The ROPS/FOPS-certified cab is pressurized with a ventilation and heating system.

The hydraulics of the new Targo series of telescopic handlers from Claas are run by a high-capacity axial pump system with load-sensing control. The pump has a flow rate of 120 L/min (32 gal/min), allowing several functions to be run simultaneously.

The five new models include the K and C series. The K series—K50, K60, and K70—is the larger of the series, with lifting capacities from 3 to 4 t (3.3 to 4.4 ton) and a maximum lifting height of between 6 and 7.2 m (19.7 and 23.6 ft). The K series were engineered for high stacking and handling performance, as well as travel speeds up to 40 km/h (25 mph). These models are driven by a Perkins turbocharged diesel 1004.40T engine rated at 78.5 kW (106 hp). An engine rated at 91 kW (122 hp) is also available. The K series have a converter drive with automatic transmission to meet high thrust and traction demands.

The engine is located forward and to the right of the operator. Side mounting it at an angle of 17° allows the boom pivot point to be lowered while allowing improved access to both the engine and the radiator. Its one-piece engine cover swings up for easier cleaning and maintenance.

The Targo design team incorporated into the handlers the Claas computer design network that is used throughout the company's agricultural equipment.

The C series was designed specifically for indoor jobs, such as pigsties and turkey houses. The C40 and C50 are more compact machines that can lift loads up to 2.5 t (2.8 ton) and up to 5.5 m (18 ft). The C40 has outside dimensions of less than 2 x 2 m (6.6 x 6.6 ft). The series is powered by a 64-kW (86-hp) diesel engine mated with an infinitely variable hydrostatic transmission.