Where Does Case IH Manufacture its Tractors?
Case IH is one of the largest tractor manufacturers in the world and a major driving force behind global agriculture. Indeed, it sells its products via a network of 4000+ dealers and distributors in over 160 countries — not a small feat.
The company was first formed after a merger between Case Corporation and International Harvester in 1958. Today it is the subsidiary of CNH Global and a proud manufacturer of popular tractors such as the Magnum, Puma, and Steiger. Each model comes with state-of-the-art technology and provides excellent performance. However, routine maintenance is crucial to keep these tractors running, and having a Case IH service manual to rely on can help you with that.
But have you ever wondered where Case IH tractors are produced? Are they manufactured locally, or are there any overseas plants?
Luckily, this article will answer everything you need to know regarding where the American giant makes its tractors.
Let’s dig in.
Case IH Tractors Manufacturing Plants
Racine, Wisconsin, USA
Case IH’s Racine manufacturing plant doubles as the company’s North American headquarter and largest production hub, spanning a whopping 595,000 square meters in the heart of Wisconsin.
I visited this plant a couple of years back and found cutting-edge technology and advanced assembly lines. The company uses washing robots, computerized ergonomic handling systems, robotic painting machines, and algorithmic quality testing systems. Furthermore, the industrial complex relies on heavily optimized lean manufacturing processes to maximize efficiency and reduce waste.
Currently, this factory produces the Magnum series, a tractor first released almost 25 years ago, and the company has exported one-third of its production since then.
The Magnum can tow heavy farming equipment such as water tanks and produce upwards of 380 hp with the Magnum 310 model. However, this gas-guzzling giant requires frequent maintenance, which you’ll be reminded of in the Case tractor manual.
And if you bought your tractor secondhand, it’s very unlikely it came with the manual. Luckily, eManualOnline carries owners and repair manuals for pretty much every Case IH tractor model ever made — have a look; you’ll thank me later!
Fargo, North Dakota, The USA
Moving further north, Case IH’s factory in Fargo, North Dakota, is home to the Steiger series 4-wheel drive tractors. It covers 600,000 sq. ft. and can roll out one tractor every hour. However, this wasn’t always the “case” (pun intended). Before the factory was set up in 1970, production was limited to a much smaller plant, hiring only 26 employees.
Today, this manufacturing unit’s prized product, the Steiger, holds the title of Case IH’s most powerful and capable model. It produces 620 hp, thanks to a very potent 12.9-liter FPT engine powering all trim levels. But the mammoth engine is not only about power; according to Case IH, it also uses a patented fuel-saving SCR technology, lowering operating costs by 10 percent.
But apart from saving on fuel, you can also cut maintenance and repair costs by fixing problems yourself. Now, working on a modern tractor can be intimidating with all that advanced technology onboard.
Fortunately, you can use a Case tractor repair manual to simplify the process and perform regular maintenance and repairs on your own. It’s not only straightforward but also much cheaper — you can easily save on labor costs by buying the parts and replacing them yourself. Doing so can bring down operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses by as much as 30%.
St. Valentin, Austria
Although smaller than its American counterparts, Case IH’s Austrian plant has already built 600,000 tractors since 1947. It covers a floor space of 170,180 m2 (1,831,802 sq. ft.) and boasts over 600 employees from different parts of the world.
According to the latest data, the plant produces 10,000 tractors annually and exports over 90% of them to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Models manufactured there include the Puma, Maxuum, Luxxum, and Optum CVXDrive, ranging between 100 hp and 300 hp. The factory uses FPT engines from Turin, north-west Italy and transmissions from CNH’s Antwerp facility in Belgium, alongside 12,000 parts sourced globally from 400 suppliers to build these tractors.
Recently, it received the prestigious “Efficient Company of the Year” title at the ‘Factory 2020’ competition organized by Fraunhofer Austria and Austrian Industriemagazin. Furthermore, the St. Valentin factory also caught the attention of the World Class Manufacturing Association (WCM) with its manufacturing flexibility and highly-adaptable assembly line, helping it achieve Silver status.
Córdoba, Argentina
Case IH has a massive presence in South America, both in terms of tractor sales and production. Its Córdoba plant is one of the largest of its kind, with an area of 4,520,842 sq. ft. and over 800 employees manufacturing Case IH Farmall and Puma tractor models, alongside New Holland’s (another CNH subsidiary) T6, T7, and TD lineup.
Interestingly enough, this industrial complex also came under the radar of the WCM. The international association took note of its waste, defect, and breakdown mitigation policies and crowned it with a Bronze designation. Today, it continues to make improvements in autonomous maintenance and workforce commitment.
Curitiba, Brazil
Another WCM Silver designated factory in this list is the CNHs plant in Curitiba, Brazil. First inaugurated in 1975, it was instrumental in uplifting the economy of Brazil’s southern region, generating over 6,000 jobs. Today the factory operates with 2,100 employees to manufacture models like Farmall, Maxxum, and Magnum, along with other CNH products. The complex covers a total area of 160,000 sq. meters and a manufacturing capacity of 8,000 units.
Last Words
Case IH has come a long way since it started as a small-scale farm equipment manufacturer. Today, it has globalized its tractor production across several continents.
However, at the heart of it all is its unmatched quality. Its tractors form the backbone of the global agricultural industry, feeding millions. So it goes without saying these vehicles deserve special care that only a Case tractor workshop manual can provide. It has all the troubleshooting information, diagrams, and flowcharts, helping to keep your Case IH tractor running in top shape. Besides, it can save you and your company thousands, reduce downtimes and keep your profits up!
