Case restyles Optum with fresh cab and connectivity

A posh cab, bigger touchscreen and AFS connectivity are some of the standout features on Case-IH’s revitalised trio of Optum tractors.

See also: First drive: Case-IH’s AFS Connect 340 Magnum

The red side of CNH seems to have taken the slow lane to what is a usually a shared destination with sister brand New Holland – the Basildon-based manufacturer having launched almost identical new living quarters and connectivity options on its T7 HD models just a few weeks ago.

Many of the cab features were introduced on the Magnum range back in 2019 and more recently on the big Quadtracs. The Optum’s old cab had been around since the range was introduced in 2015 and mirrored that of the smaller Pumas, so it’s fair to say Case had squeezed all the value it could from that design.

New cab

© Case-IH

The three-strong CVX drive line-up remains, with power outputs of 250hp, 270hp and 300hp. However, it’s the styling and furnishings that have really changed and views outwards have been improved by lowering the rear mudguards to offer 11% more glass over the old models. A 7.5% increase in interior space will also be welcomed by operators.

Noise in the AFS Connect Optums now registers just 66dBa at idle which Case says is partly down to the cab being trimmed in softer, automotive-grade materials rather than the harder plastics of old. The company hopes this will help it compete with the premium brands on the market.

Operators now get a pressurised climate-control package with additional outlets and improved air distribution from the tractor’s auto-zone control system, while a fancier seat has full cooling and heating functions and retains the upper swivelling backrest to make it comfortable when looking rearwards.

A new drive pedal apparently also provides more control for slow-speed inching tasks, headland turns and road travel and is a standalone item, rather than jutting out from the main centre console as before.

A fridge under the passenger seat has capacity for two 2-litre bottles of drink along with additional space for sandwiches.

Multiple USB points can now power phones and tablets for implement control, while a rear airline allows for in-field clean-offs.

Armrest and joystick

© Case-IH

Central to the redesign is a new Multicontroller armrest and joystick, along with a fresh 12in AFS Pro 1200 touchscreen, which is more logically laid out than the long-in-the-tooth AFS 700 Pro.

Options for various front and rear camera feeds into the screen and easy adjustment by tapping the settings now all feature, along with a brighter, more modern display. There is also a bright A-pillar tablet-style readout for all engine and transmission settings.

Case’s design differs from its blue stablemate in that it retains a bank of spool paddles at the front of the armrest and there are two rotary dials in the middle replacing the silhouetted tractor and button arrangement. The bigger dial is for navigating the screen and the other is for linkage control.

One thing that old Optum models lacked was the ability for operators to customise the joystick with their preferred spools and functions, but there are now eight buttons for this – four on the joystick and four behind the spool valves. There is a dedicated autosteer button for the first time, too.

AFS connectivity

All models come with Case’s AFS Connect telematics package as standard, which allows two-way data transfer between the machine and online portal.

With the owner’s permission, dealers can monitor performance and remotely connect to the display to troubleshoot issues and update the software.

Job instructions, application maps and other data can be sent to the tractor, while managers can check the location and fuel level.