Our engineering crew has been busy in the shop!
Following the development of our first Hillco-equipped John Deere X9, we’ve taken on another big project: bringing Hillco’s Leveling System technology to the Case IH AF10.
Here’s a peek behind the scenes at what goes into fitting this new AF10 combine platform with a Hillco Leveling System.
Every build has to start somewhere, and for the AF10, that meant tackling the Drop Axle!
This was the first step in the prototype installation, with our engineering crew working through the modifications needed to accommodate Hillco’s leveling system.
The Drop Axle is an important part of the overall system, helping make it possible for the combine to adjust to sloping terrain.
With that work underway, it was time to move on to the next big piece of the puzzle.
Next up: the overcarriage and undercarriage!
To make room for Hillco’s leveling system, the Hillco crew removed the combine’s front axle and worked through the upgrades needed to accommodate the new carriage assemblies.
Compared to the John Deere X9 Hillco build, there is a twist when working with Case IH combines.
The transmission is mounted directly to the rear of the front axle. That means the front axle has to come out before the transmission can be removed.
With the front axle removed, our crew could get to work on the transmission.
Rather than reinstalling it in its original location, the transmission is mounted to the Hillco undercarriage.
Once everything is in place, the undercarriage assembly, complete with the transmission, is rolled underneath the combine and positioned for installation.
It’s one of those parts of the build that really shows how much goes into adapting a leveling system to a new machine.
Then it was time to tackle the front end!
The feederhouse and transition assemblies were also part of the prototype installation, with the crew documenting the components and their fitment as the machine came back together.
Anyone who’s spent time around farm equipment knows the little things can sometimes take the most work.
With the major components in place, the crew worked through the details around the AF10’s wheels, hydraulic lines, wiring, mounting points, and protective panels.
There’s a lot to account for when the machine needs to move through a range of leveling positions, and everything needs room to operate without interference.
Now for the fun part!
With the leveling equipment installed, it was time to give the AF10 its first tilt inside the Hillco shop.
After seeing all the individual components throughout the build, it’s pretty neat to actually see the machine leaned over!
Before the AF10 could leave the Hillco lot, there was one more thing to check!
With the installation complete, our crew took the combine outside for some hands-on drop axle clearance testing. What better way to check clearances than throw it around in the back 40 at Hillco?
By positioning the combine over a raised dirt berm, the team could get a closer look at how the drop axle and surrounding components handled the changing terrain.
It’s one thing to measure clearances in the shop, but we like to see how things work in the real world, too!
After all, when you’re building equipment for farmers working some seriously challenging terrain, a little dirt is just part of the engineering process.
What’s Next for the AF10?
Getting the first prototype up and running in the shop is exciting, but only just the beginning!
At Hillco, we know there’s a big difference between making something work in the shop and putting it to work where it really counts: harvest.
Next up? Getting the AF10 out into some real-world conditions to see how it performs when the terrain gets tough. We’re not just building equipment that looks good on paper. We’re building solutions for farmers who depend on them.
Stay tuned! The real fun is just getting started.
In the meantime, check out our Inside the Build: The First Hillco-Equipped X9 for another behind-the-scenes look at Hillco engineering.
Want to learn more about Hillco Leveling Systems? Visit hillcotechnologies.com or give our team a call at 800-937-2461.
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