Europe's most powerful Case IH combine harvester AF10 unveiled in Lithuania: a leap in technology worth seeing

On 21 July, an exclusive agricultural machinery event took place at Labunava Fields, Kėdainiai District, featuring a demonstration of the new Case IH AF10 combine harvester series. This is not just a presentation of machinery – it is the beginning of a new era in European agriculture, where power, automation and digitalisation come together to create the most advanced crop management solution.

This week, the Case IH AF10 combine harvester, the first in Lithuania and the Baltics, is the first in the completely renewed AF series, which consists of three models - AF9, AF10 and AF11. The combine harvester series has been designed by Case IH for around five years and was launched last year. The new generation of combines features a new generation of AFXL rotors, fully automated threshing control, digital data analysis solutions and improved operator comfort.

775 hp – game-changing power

The most powerful Case IH combine harvester ever delivered to the European market, the AF10, has been demonstrated for the first time to customers in Lithuania. The 775hp combine harvester, with its FPT Cursor 16 engine, 13.7 metre MacDon FD245 mower and 20,000 litres of grain hopper, could be seen working non-stop in the fertile barley fields of a Central Lithuanian farm. This size of grain hopper allows for long periods of non-stop work in extremely large fields.

AFXL rotor – 40% longer, 100% more efficient

The demonstration showed that power and performance are the key differentiators of this combine harvester model. The manufacturer's representatives at UAB „Dotnuva Baltic“ reiterated that only the AF9 and AF10 models with one AFXL axial threshing drum are available in Europe, while the AF11 is available in the American market. The AF10 and AF11 share the same FPT Cursor 16-litre FPT Cursor 16 engine developing 775 hp and are in the 10+ conductivity class, but the difference is in the configuration of the rotors.

The single rotor AFXL technology – is the calling card of Case IH. The new generation rotor is 40% longer than the previous generation, reaching 3.67 m in length and 762 mm in diameter –. This increases the threshing surface area, ensures gentler crop handling, reduces grain loss and maintains high quality even under intensive working conditions. A solution that not only saves time but also increases profitability. These combines allow you to process large quantities more efficiently, work faster and put less strain on the system.

Automation and digitalisation – a combine harvester that thinks for itself

The demonstration in Labunava showed the here and now of the „Harvest Command™ system, one of the most advanced automated systems on the market, which manages threshing parameters based on real-time sensor data, monitoring grain quality, rotor load, cleaning system losses and grain hopper fill. Using the online platform and a real-time demonstration of the AF10 combine harvester in the field, farmers were able to view harvest data – combine harvester efficiency and technical performance parameters.

The FieldOps platform enables remote monitoring of the harvester, analysis of harvest data and optimisation of processes, and allows the operator to choose from four modes of operation: maximum efficiency, minimum loss, maximum quality or balanced operation.

Cross-Flow Plus cleaning system – perfect results even on slopes

The new Case IH AF10 combine harvester ensures even grain distribution even on rough terrain. An additional turbine fan adapts to the moisture and plant characteristics, ensuring maximum efficiency in all conditions. The wiper has a surface area of 8.76 m². The „Cross-Flow Plus“ system has dynamic sieve automation that automatically adjusts the position of the sieves on slopes (up to 28% slope) to ensure uniformity of grain distribution and reduce losses on rough terrain. An additional turbine fan with automatic speed control maintains a stable air flow and adapts to different humidity conditions and crop characteristics.

Expert insights: AF10 is not just a combine harvester, it is a strategic solution for large farms

According to „Dotnuva Baltic“ Managing Director Dangis Valaitis, the AF10 model has attracted a lot of interest: „Modern farmers are facing challenges – short harvesting periods, increasing productivity demands. The new Case IH AF10 helps to make efficient use of time, reduce labour costs and ensure a high quality harvest, while the automated digital solutions introduced allow information management and optimisation of combine harvester operation and decision-making during the harvesting process.“

Despite the fact that the combine harvester market has shrunk in recent years, the rotor-hybrid segment is growing rapidly, and Case IH rotor technology, with nearly 50 years of experience, is becoming more and more appreciated.

„The evolution of Case IH harvesters has for decades been passionate about doing the most important job on the farm – harvesting the year's hard-fought crop. We are proud that the new generation of rotary harvesters is being launched in Lithuania, including the Case IH AF10, the most powerful and innovative harvester in the world," said Andrea Ferri, Director of the Northern Europe and the Baltics Region, welcoming customers and employees of UAB "Dotnuva Baltic" on this occasion.