Case IH STX500 ploughs through World Record
09/03/05

The Ploughing World Record has been broken by Case IH and its Steiger STX500 Quadtrac tractor. The 500hp machine ploughed 321ha in just 24 hours, beating the previous 2002 record by 70ha and Case IH's own 2000 world record by 112ha.

The team, led by Case IH area manager Jean Imbert who drove the tractor, used the unmodified STX500, a demonstration unit on loan from the UK, to pull a specially-designed giant Grégoire-Besson 20-furrow plough. The STX500 is Case IH's most powerful tractor and the result of many years' experience in the power farming sector, with more than 50,000 Steiger STX models produced in the Fargo, USA facility.

"I am delighted to have taken up this challenge and captured the world record once again,” said Jean. “The team and the equipment have worked very hard.”

Jean Imbert

Prior to the record attempt, the 380ha plot at SCEA GUISOUA in Commensacq France, was surveyed and prepared, ditches and obstacles were marked out and turn points set. The 22-man team from Case IH and Grégoire-Besson set up the tractor and plough under the watchful gaze of independent adjudicator Didier Gabin.

To successfully break the record, a minimum ploughing depth of 27cm had to be maintained by just one driver using the same tractor and plough throughout the 24 hour challenge period.

The STX500 began ploughing at noon on Wednesday 9 February 2005 and did not need to take on more fuel until 5:30pm. A support vehicle allowed refuelling on the move, so during the whole 24 hours just two "pit stops" were made to allow Jean a brief respite and give the mechanics the opportunity to check the tractor and plough. Maintaining a fast pace, at times reaching 14km/h, the team broke the previous record in just nineteen and a half hours, giving Jean and the STX500 the time to add a considerable area to the old record.

Refuelling

A faultless performance from a delighted Case IH and Grégoire-Besson team demonstrated the power, reliability and impressive capabilities of the Steiger STX 500 Quadtrac.

World Record Statistics

Surface ploughed in 24 h: 321.17 ha

Average surface ploughed per hour: 13.375 ha

Time needed to plough one hectare: 4.485 min/ha

Tractor power: 500 hp and 65 hp reserve.

Total fuel consumption: 2722 l of BP Superfuel

Fuel consumption per hectare: 8.479 l/ha

Location: Commensacq

Plough: Grégoire-Besson 20-furrow

Working width: 10.5 m

Jean Imbert: tractor driver, Case IH area manager

Michel Sachot: operation coordinator, Case IH sales manager

Jean Marie Papin: technical assistance, Grégoire-Besson demonstration department.

Gilbert Pineau: technical assistance, designer of semi-mounted ploughs with the Grégoire-Besson consultancy.

Didier Gabin: independent adjudicator.

Philippe Dassié: surveyor