New Coffee Harvesters from Case IH increase usable area and harvest quality

Reducing losses and increasing the usable harvesting area with less damage to plants are the main highlights of Case IH's new coffee harvesters. The two versions, Coffee Express 100 Multi and 200 Multi, arrive on the market with a greater range of harvesting heights and with more retractable palettes to be even more effective in collecting the fruits during the harvesting process.

With a 55 horsepower engine, the Coffee Express 200 Multi has the lowest fuel consumption among all self-propelled harvesters on the market, in addition to low maintenance costs. Another factor that contributes to the reduction in costs is the machine's grain tank, which stores up to 2 thousand liters, with the possibility of simultaneous unloading of the harvest. The model also has a hydraulic brake system, which provides more precision in adjustment, with less damage to the plants, which results in higher harvest quality. 

The Coffee Express 100 Multi is the traction version of the Case IH. In other words, the machine is coupled to the tractor's hydraulic lifting system and receives power from the equipment that will drag it. To work together with the CE 100, Case IH brought the Quantum 75 N narrow tractor to Brazil, one of the strongest in its category (read more below).

The new coffee harvester models have a chassis lowered by 100 mm so that the harvesting and collection structure is closer to the ground, in order to carry out the harvest even on smaller plants and with lower skirts (first productions/crop new). 

“In the market, many producers lower harvesters to be able to harvest younger plants, but these machines with a mechanical brake system (belt) and/or aligned rods can cause damage to more sensitive plants. This factor makes the Coffee Express a harvester more suitable for younger or smaller and more sensitive coffee crops”, analyzes Roberto Biasotto, Product Marketing Manager at Case IH.

With the lowering of the chassis (increase in the equipment structure), the stripping roller also became larger and two flanges were included at the bottom of each roller. This new feature helps the roller to be able to remove fruits from the lowest part of the skirt, where a large number of productive branches are concentrated, including smaller plants.

To reduce floor losses, the new harvester versions have more retractable pallets than the previous model. In the Coffee Express 100 Multi model, the number of palettes goes from 26 to 50 and in the 200 version, from 32 to 62 palettes. The palettes feature a new design and size, as well as less flexibility in moving up and down, preventing coffee beans from getting under them and becoming waste on the floor. This problem can also cause the machine to jam, as its sliding will certainly be affected. “These characteristics improve the covering of the stem and the collection of stripped fruits”, comments Biasotto.

The new horizontal conveyor tip was designed to work in different conditions, including harvesting plants with lower skirts. The new design allows for better quality in lifting the coffee skirt, both small and large, when it is close to the ground. Another important point is that the new Coffee Express 100 Multi tip is shorter and, therefore, does not have contact with the tractor's tires. Furthermore, it is also not part of the chassis structure and can be removed to access the horizontal conveyors from the front.

“All these new features show that Case IH coffee harvesters are the most suitable on the market for working in newer coffee plantations due to the exclusive harvesting system (hydraulic brake, design, quantity and arrangement of rods), which provides the least damage to the stem, breaking branches and removing leaves, determining factors for the good development and production of coffee in subsequent years”, explains Biasotto.

The machines also increase excellence in full harvesting, with a greater total volume harvested and low defoliation, and selective harvesting, which harvests the largest possible volume of ripe fruits with a minimum of green fruits, with less damage to the plants. The factors that contribute to this improvement are the increase in the number of sticks and their arrangement in a hive, requiring less dragging of plants for harvesting; precision adjustment of the roller brake (exclusive hydraulic brake system); and plant defoliation up to 70% lower than competitors

Harvest Manager

Case IH also offers a coffee harvest manager, which aims to assist producers in managing mechanized harvesting. Using the information obtained by the tool, it is possible to determine the ideal time to start harvesting in a given area, in addition to defining the most appropriate way to harvest – whether selectively or fully –, making the recommended adjustments for the Coffee harvester Case IH Express. All this information provides greater operational efficiency.

The tool, developed by the company “Inovação em Mecanização Agrícola CEIFA Ltda”, works like a meter, showing the force required to detach the different types of fruits present on the plants to be harvested. With the information collected and entered into the device, it performs calculations related to the area and determines the next steps with greater precision.

Quantum 75N

Another novelty from Case IH for the coffee growing market is the Quantum 75N narrow tractor, which arrived in Brazil in August. With 78 horsepower, the tractor is one of the strongest in its category. The fuel tank storage capacity is 77 liters, compared to the competitors' average of 50 liters. “These extra 27 liters provide the operator with long periods of work before needing to refuel, bringing more productivity at the end of the day”, says Lauro Rezende, Product Marketing specialist at Case IH.

Autonomy is not the only highlight of the Quantum 75N. The machine has wide accessibility to the engine and its systems, which means speed and agility in the daily inspections that the operator needs to carry out. This facility results in longer service time for the tractor. 

The tractor is equipped with the most modern engines with Tier 3 emission level (MAR-I). The system used is I-EGR (Internal Exhaust Gas Recirculation), which is less complex and is easier and simpler to maintain. The engines are turbo intercooled, with four cylinders (3,2 L), carefully tuned to offer a high torque reserve, fuel efficiency and long engine life.

The 28x16 transmission with the super reducer provides more versatility to the operator. “Choosing the ideal speed for the operation guarantees greater savings and performance”, says Rezende. “It’s the best option on the market when it comes to gear shifting and choosing the ideal speed,” he adds.

The hydraulic system is also superior to that of competitors. While most machines only have one remote control valve as standard, the Case IH tractor has three, one being a remote valve with flow control. The hydraulic pump has a flow rate of 65 liters per minute and the lift is three-point, with a capacity of 2.360 kgf, making it possible to work with larger implements. 

The Quantum 75N's cabin stands out for being a reference in comfort and space in the narrow tractor segment. Furthermore, its glass area allows for superior visibility and, therefore, better working conditions.