Flying the Flag

Harrison Hunkin and Jaiden Drought teamed up in 2018 to put the Case IH Patriot 4430 to the test

Case IH Patriot 4430

Engine Case IH FPT 8.7L (531cu-in.) inline six-cylinder, 335 rated hp (250kW), 374 peak hp (279kW) Drive Hydrostatic with full-time four-wheel drive. Infinitely variable speed control returns wheel motor swash plates to maximum angle each time the hydro lever is returned to neutral 48km/h

Dry weight 12,428kg (27,400lbs.) (27/30m boom); 13,109kg (28,900lbs.) (36m boom)

Overall width

Wheels retracted 3.5m (11ft. 6in.); wheels extended 4.5m (14 ft. 7 in.) Tyre size Available with 380/90R46, 480/80R42, 620/70R38 and 650/65R38

Ground clearance Turning radius

135cm

7.5m (24ft. 9 in.) from centre line of rear axle Offered in – 18.3/30.5m (60/100ft), or 18.3/27.4/36.5m (60/90/120ft) self-centering

Boom adj. height

61-213cm (24-84in.)

Full boom breakaway

30 degrees

Suspension Four-wheel independent trailing-link with spring and shock standard; active suspension Steering Hydraulic power steering with master / slave re-phasing cylinders Fuel tank 454L Rinse tank 530L Output 21.6hp We put the Case IH Patriot through its paces at a secret location in Victoria’s west. This unit, purchased from O’Connors Horsham, offers an 8.7-litre six-cylinder Case IH FPT engine boasting 335 horsepower (250kW), which boosts to 374hp (279kW), and a top speed of 48km/h. The engine rumble when standing outside of the cabin is quite considerable, but the perks of its modern surveyor cab (which we’ll touch on later) virtually remove all engine noise, while the added ponies make mincemeat of the hills. The Patriot is also hauling a 6,000-litre tank and a 36m boom with a 380/90R46 Michelin tyre offering, and three-metre wheel spacings that can be hydraulically adjusted on the move to four metres for stability on the hills. Nozzle spacings are 50.8cm, while the boom adjustment height ranges between 61–213cm with auto boom ground contour following and 36-section control.

TRANSMISSION

The Patriot features a modern hydrostatic transmission that tends to be seen in most self-propelled sprayers, combine and forage harvesters. Simply push forward on the hydrostatic control lever to move forward and pull that lever back and the Patriot will slow down and come to a halt. While extremely easy to use, braking does feel unnatural compared with other models and gauging the feel of how fast it will slow down or speed up takes time to get used to. Tugging back on the hydrostatic control lever with a dab of brakes is the best option to slow down the Patriot, however this does tend to lead to an uncomfortable, bunny-hopping stop.

IN THE CAB

It’s hard to turn down the large spacious surveyor cab of the Patriot. You could take or leave the red interior, but that leather heated seat is something else. Ergonomically designed, with all controls and instruments positioned conveniently to the operator’s right-hand side, the Patriot 4430’s cab is a step above. While pretty much every manufacturer we can think of has their control panel within a right hand’s reach, in the Patriot it certainly doesn’t feel as though Case has just slapped a handful of buttons or switches on a small armrest. The 40-degree right-hand swivel seat gives the operator a 180-degree full field of vision, while the Patriot 4430’s buddy seat can be folded to provide a convenient workstation with cup holders. A pressurised cab to keep the inside air fresh from nasty chemicals is a big plus; and automatic temperature control and sunshades to keep one cool and comfortable, and an adjustable air-ride seat are modern luxuries many farmers wouldn’t even have in their car. But certainly for all-day work, you’d happily take them.

TECHNOLOGY

Technology has come a long way over the years – the inclusion of GPS, intelligent on-board software and modern engines have changed the farming landscape and it’s becoming more advanced by the day. There is plenty of built-in tech in the Patriot. The AFS Pro 700 monitor puts total control at the user’s fingertips. The single-screen display allows operators to monitor and control guidance functions and application rates as well as track ground speed, acres covered and other variables. The beauty of the AFS Pro is the number of machine functions for one screen rather than the entire right-hand window being cluttered with control monitors. A downfall, however, is that it takes about 40 seconds to boot up, slowing down the process of putting the booms out etcetera. And secondly, it does require multiple menus and sub menus to get through the information. The convenience of the one screen does trump these gripes, however. For farmers who prefer a different monitor system, Case does offer the Viper 4+ system from Raven Precision. The optional Viper 4+ system provides total application control all on a 12-inch (31cm) screen. Meanwhile, sprayer control switches are ergonomically placed and attached directly to the operator’s seat. Autoguidance is easily engaged from the multi-control handle and will engage from well over a metre shy of the A-B line.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If we’re honest, we always knew that the new Case IH Patriot 4430, with its big 8.7L FPT engine and its wonderfully laid out cab, would be hard to beat. A machine like the Patriot 4430 doesn’t take any less skill to operate, but it excels where it matters most: comfort, efficiency and output.

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