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Case IH partners Kneidinger 1880 and Thanhofer transform a Maxxum 125 CVX for forestry work, as Kyle Molyneux reports
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IMAGES TERRY OBORNE
ACase IH Maxxum 125 CVX tractor has undergone serious conversion work for use in the UK’s forestry sector. Joining this tractor’s already high specification including variable speed transmission plus front and rear linkage with PTOs, is a forestry pack installed by two engineering companies located close to Case IH’s St Valentin factory in Austria. Specialists Kneidinger 1880 and Thanhofer offer various conversions for Case IH tractors, from Farmalls to Magnums, with varying degrees of sophistication.
Wearing Nokian Multi-plus Forest 500/65R28 and 600/65R38 tyres on forest rims, this near-finished Maxxum was shipped from the Case IH factory to Kneidinger, where the standard cab was adapted to provide more space for a new 180-degree swivel seat complete with controls integrated into the armrest for operating the tractor in the reverse position.
The operator is afforded quite a view to the rear whilst being protected.
Nokian’s Multi-plus Forest 500/65R28 and 600/65R38 tyres beef up this tractor.
Further increasing cab space is the relocated air conditioning filter, which now hides neatly within the rear fender on the left-hand side. The factory steering and drive pedal configurations were left alone, but Kneidinger could mount these at the rear if a customer wished.
READY FOR ACTION
Kneidinger also adapted the cab roof so that the rear half has a panoramic view – ideal for crane and other treetop operations whilst the driver is seated in the reverse position. Both the panoramic roof and rear window are made of 12mm polycarbonate material for additional protection against flying debris from mulchers, falling objects and similar.
Following Kneidinger’s work, the special Maxxum was sent 60km south to Thanhofer, where guarding was added to the front axle, fuel/exhaust system and cab – the latter now fully OPS and FOPS certified to ISO
Above: Under guards fitted by Thanhofer.
Top right: Pedal and steering set ups untouched.
Right: Space was found for this swivel seat.
Additional protection for the cab colour-coded to the bodywork; wheels made by British firm BWT.
8083 & 8084 standard. Once complete, the Maxxum returned to Case IH’s St Valentin plant for final quality control checks before being shipped to the UK. In all, the full-scale conversion work took about a month and a half including shipping over and above standard production time. The final piece of the jigsaw were the heavy-duty dual wheels built and supplied in the UK by BWT in Essex.
This forestry spec Maxxum is rated at 125hp with 637Nm torque at 1,500rpm, and meets Stage 4b emission standards, in part thanks to its maintenance-free Hi-eSCR selective catalytic reduction system without any EGR. When under traction and PTO loading, engine output will automatically boost to a maximum of 155hp. The Maxxum’s four-cylinder engine is linked to a CVX Drive double-clutch transmission capable of providing uninterrupted power flow from standstill to the tractor’s top speed. The DCT can also provide full tractive power across the whole speed range, which is important when operating de-stoners, planters and mulchers on undulating land or that which, for example, consists of differing soil types.
Although UK demand for full-scale tractor conversions suited to the forestry sector is relatively small, Case IH’s Andy Whiley told Forestry Machinery that the company and its partners are ready to create more of these beasts. “Our dealers and ourselves will be keeping an eye open for any available forestry business requiring this type of equipment, and indeed any agricultural business requiring reverse drive/seating arrangement.” Look out for these impressive conversions at future forestry equipment shows.
Below: Forestry spec Maxxum’s four-cylinder engine develops 125hp and 637lbNm torque at a useful 1,500rpm.
