Case IH AF10: One rotor, zero nonsense

Held during perfect harvesting conditions, the event offered an exclusive, uninterrupted look at the new AF10 flagship, alongside the familiar 8250 and mid-sized 7160.

The machines were running all day, and Case IH specialists were on-hand to talk visitors through updates across the range. With the weather dry and the crop standing well, conditions were near-perfect for showcasing capacity, crop flow and straw quality.

Taking centre stage was the AF10, fitted with a 45ft MacDon FD245 header, and making its first appearance in the UK harvest season. The combine represents a clean-sheet design for Case IH, with clever engineering throughout designed to maximise efficiency and output.

Also onsite were the 8250 and the 7160. Though each machine serves a different farm size and budget, the core Axial-Flow principles remained on show throughout: crop-on-crop threshing, rotor-driven simplicity, and a focus on clean grain, quality straw, and low operating costs.

Power and capacity on display

The headline act of the Ernest Doe Power harvest demo day was unmistakably the AF10 combine – the latest flagship model from Case IH, shown with a 45ft MacDon FD245 flex draper header.

As one of the first two AF10s in the UK, this machine represents a nearly complete ground-up redesign aimed at rewriting expectations for power efficiency and high-capacity harvesting.

Where combine models are often scaled up using larger engines and familiar drivetrains, the AF10 breaks that mould. It’s built around an entirely new drivetrain concept, delivering up to 775hp from a 15.9-litre Cursor 16 engine that runs in-line with the rotor and driveline to minimise power losses.

That may sound like a technicality, but it makes a significant and measurable difference; power flows more efficiently, with fewer mechanical compromises and less energy wasted across belts and gears.

As Case IH product specialist Cian O’Leary explained: “Every time you turn power, you lose some. We are minimising that wherever possible.”

In terms of raw numbers, this is a machine engineered for scale. The single rotor – which is now the largest on the market – extends a full metre compared to the 250/260 series, but all of that additional length is devoted to separation.

The threshing area remains similar, but the extended rotor allows a wider concave and slower rotation speeds while still maintaining excellent crop separation. It’s designed to rely on crop-on-crop action, reducing wear, fuel usage, and potential grain damage.

This centrifugal separation method was likened to a washing machine by Cian; grain is flung to the outer edge of the rotor housing and falls outwards with minimal mechanical interference. 

Supporting this impressive core is a new self-levelling sieve system, with 13% more width than previous Case IH models. Internally, there are now two sets of sieves – front and rear, upper and lower – which enable the AF10 to evenly spread and process a thin, consistent crop mat.

It’s been built with maize and other abrasive crops in mind too, with high-wear components throughout to extend longevity.

The cab has seen a complete overhaul. Operators now benefit from dual 12in Pro 1200 touchscreen displays, replacing the older 7in pro 700 units. These not only improve visibility and ease of use, but enable advanced automation features.

Harvest Command, Case IH’s smart automation platform, is integrated as standard and can control rotor speed, concave spacing, sieve setting, and ground speed based on sensor feedback – including real-time grain loss, crop flow, and sample cleanliness.

The system uses an onboard Grain Cam to analyse quality every 20 seconds and adjust settings accordingly. Feedrate control responds dynamically to field conditions, ensuring consistent engine load and output, even across variable patches.

A notable feature for farm managers is the connected telematics and GPS system, which uploads real-time harvesting data to the cloud. Managers or dealers can remotely view yield maps, machine settings, and provide real-time instructions and guidance to operators, if required.

With optional integration of NutriSense near-infrared (NIR) sensors, it’s possible to record moisture, protein, and other grain quality parameters during harvest – data that can inform crop management strategies in the following years. 

Paired with the AF10 was the MacDon FD245 header – a 45ft flex draper unit. Fully flexible across its width, the header rides closely to the ground, leaving a strikingly even finish and ensuring consistent feed into the combine. 

The belt-fed design ensures the heads are delivered smoothly and efficiently to the rotor, supporting the high throughput that the AF10 demands. “You can really see the crop volume coming in, it looks unreal to be honest… and then it’s just gone,” said Case IH’s product demonstrator Dathal Kent. “It powers through it like it’s nothing.”

Despite its scale, operators familiar with older Axial-Flow machines will feel right at home. The AF10 retains the same core ethos: simplicity, reliability, and low maintenance – all of which feed into a low cost of ownership. 

Many tasks, such as reversing the feeder and rotor are now guided or automated via the cab screens. 

Maintenance points are streamlined, and airflow is directed intelligently across the engine and chassis to prevent dust build-up. As Dathal put it: “Farmers love them in the summer – and then they’re grateful for them in the winter.”

Of course, the AF10 (complete with MacDon header) is clearly a significant investment. But with up to 220 tonnes/hour capacity and the ability to unload its 20,000-litre grain tank at 210 litres per second, it’s clear that the AF10 isn’t just about headline numbers. It’s about working smarter, not just harder.

Axial-Flow 7160

As the largest model in Case IH’s mid-range 160 series, the 7160 combines proven Axial-Flow technology with smart updates from its premium siblings. Ultimately, this helps to deliver solid performance in a more compact, price-conscious package.

Despite being a mid-range combine, the 7160 packs serious capability. According to Case IH staff, it can comfortably handle 2,000-acre farms. It shares the same cab as the 260 series, with improved visibility, smoother joystick controls thanks to electronic hydrostat, and a familiar Pro 700 touchscreen display – though not yet upgraded to the newer 12in Pro 1200.

Mechanically, it retains the single rotor setup that defines Case IH combines. The rotor itself is fitted with 60 rasp bars, far more than the 36 typically found in larger combines. This ensures effective threshing with narrower headers, using a mix of 10-degree and 28-degree rasp bars to balance aggressiveness with efficiency. 

Crop-on-crop separation remains a core principle here, reducing grain damage and preserving straw quality – a key concern for malt barley growers.

The 7160 benefits from a simple, accessible design that keeps maintenance costs low. Auger troughs and good panel access make cleaning between crops easy, and the integral chopper with two-speed spreader delivers good chop and spread widths, even on wide working widths.

For smaller farms or cost-conscious buyers, the 7160 hits a sweet spot. It offers a modern harvesting experience without the overheads of a flagship.

Axial-Flow 8250 

Also working on the day was the 8250. Though still available, it’s now approaching the end of its production life as the new 260 series begins to take its place. The successor machines share much of the same core architecture, but bring a refreshed operator interface and improved digital systems, aimed at reducing fatigue and boosting harvest efficiency.

Consistent with the Case IH range, the 8250 uses a single rotor system and, although it lacks the scale and smart features of the AF10, it remains a capable and popular machine for those needing power without stepping into flagship territory.

Many of the internal upgrades introduced into the 250 series were focused on improving throughput and grain quality – and farmers have long praised the simplicity and consistency of the Axial-Flow system, which remains largely unchanged in the 260 successor series.

While the 8250 runs an older Pro 700 display as standard, it still supports Harvest Command and basic automation features. With a reputation for reliability and familiarity, it serves as a trusted tool in larger arable setups – especially where operators are already embedded in the Case IH system. However, for those looking ahead, the move to the Pro 1200 touchscreen displays, integrated telematics, and upgraded cab ergonomics in the 260 series will likely appeal to more progressive buyers seeking more connectivity and long-term support.

On the demo day, the 8250 served as a strong reminder that even as new flagships take centre stage, there’s plenty of life and relevance in Case IH’s established line-up.

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