Case IH Maxxum X-Line 110

With mechanical governing and two valves per cylinder, the rated power comes in at 112hp, but our dyno session found a healthy peak, as 119.8hp arrived at the shaft, suggesting the CNH engine is conservatively marked as a 110hp machine.

Oil change intervals occur every 600 hours, and service points are reached by raising the bonnet clear of the cooling pack – this enables radiators to be cleaned and filters to be swapped. And slide-out oil cooler and air-con condensers contribute to easy maintenance needs.

A combined dip and filler point means the bonnet doesn’t need lifting for daily oil checks, and if you need to jump a stranded tractor, the Maxxum comes with useful ‘plus’ and ‘minus’ jump-lead points on the right-hand side of the engine.

Against all but the Massey, it’s a high-spec tractor and packs an electronic hitch control but mixed with mechanical spool valves. The transmission is a 40kph, 16x16 semi powershift with clutchless shifting through each set of eight gears, while a power shuttle handles direction changes. A mechanical 24x24 with two-speed powershift is available.

It’s also possible to select a ‘memory shuttle’ function so that the tractor doesn’t automatically select the same gear in both directions. But the placement of the transmission powershift buttons on the side console, shrouded by the electronic hitch control module, can only be reached by Elves. The buttons are intended for use when the seat position is swivelled to the right, but we found them pointless.

With an LRX1130 loader built by Stoll, the Maxxum gets a seat-mounted loader joystick lever. It’s intuitive and comfortable to use, and being close at hand makes it easy to multi-task with boom and bucket functions.

The loader can handle a maximum load of 2,954kg, but this reduces to 2,141kg at its maximum lift height of 4.084m.

The loader arm costs £4,318 and includes smooth ride, hydraulic self-levelling, third service and multi-quick coupler.

Don’t over-look the cost of making the Case IH ‘loader ready’, which adds another £1,747 to the cost of the £47,984 X-Line 110.

At the rear of the tractor is a three-point linkage that comfortably accommodated our plough, thanks to a 6,000kg lift capacity at the ball ends helped with twin assistor rams. The hitch also has a hydraulic push-back function, and its three spools all feature external flow control – two of which can be individually configured to suit hydraulic motors.

In the pto department, the Maxxum doesn’t disappoint – a two-speed system comprising 540 and 1,000 speeds is standard, while a three-speed with 540E costs £263.

We had high hopes for the Case IH, and its four-post cab is a bright, roomy place to sit – and quiet too. We recorded a peak of 79dB(A) and a working average of just 73dB(A). Adding to the comfort zone is a soft orange glow that illuminates the console at night, and optional high intensity work lights turn night into day.

But working the Maxxum left us feeling under-whelmed. The fuel tank’s 176-litre capacity won’t do a hard day’s work and resting your hand on the palm-shaped hitch control console often resulted in the draft control dial being accidentally rolled away from the chosen setting.

The combined powershift controller-cum-hand throttled demands a stretch when making headland turns and the roof screen’s sun visor is pulled over the glass using a soft rubber strap that looks as though it could easily be snapped. At least it only needs one hand to operate.

It is a cab design that means there are no side windows to open for fresh air freaks, so you’re committed to relying on the heating and air conditioning system. To use it, you’ll have to ferret around to the left-hand B-post behind you, tweak the settings then adjust the centre-console mounted vents to get air flowing where you’d like it.

The cab does get a comfy, deeply padded passenger seat, but lacks a handle on the A-post for passengers to keep a firm grip.