Case IH is showcasing its latest developments in precision agriculture, harvesting automation and tractor drivetrain technology at EIMA International 2026, taking place from November 10 to 14 at BolognaFiere in Bologna, Italy.
The company’s latest technology portfolio focuses on improving machinery connectivity, simplifying field operations and enhancing operator comfort and productivity. Key highlights include the FieldOps farm management platform, Axial-Flow 160 series combine harvesters, ActiveDrive 8 tractor transmissions and the Advanced Vehicle Suspension (AVS) system for the Optum 360–440 tractor range.
The developments reflect Case IH’s approach to integrating digital technology, mechanical engineering and operator-focused design to address the changing demands of modern commercial farming.
Precision Agriculture Technology Connects Farm Operations
Managing modern agricultural operations requires effective coordination of machinery, operators and field activities. Disconnected equipment and farm management systems can create operational delays, fragmented records and difficulties in monitoring work progress.
At EIMA 2026, Case IH is demonstrating how connected machinery and digital solutions can support the entire crop production cycle, from soil preparation and planting to crop protection and harvesting.
At the centre of this approach is Case IH FieldOps, a digital farm management platform that brings together machine telemetry, field information and operator data through a centralised interface.
The platform allows farm managers to monitor machinery performance, track field activities, coordinate equipment and access operational information in real time. It also supports interoperability with third-party partner platforms, helping farmers integrate digital services across mixed machinery fleets.
Case IH is also highlighting its Connectivity Included initiative, which removes recurring telemetry subscription fees on qualifying machinery, making connected farming services more accessible.
For farmers looking to upgrade existing equipment, the CNH Parts Area features aftermarket precision guidance and implement control solutions from Raven and Fleetpro, alongside CNH Parts & Service and CNH Capital support.
Axial-Flow 160 Combines Introduce Enhanced Harvesting Automation
Harvesting efficiency depends on maintaining consistent machine performance while adapting to changing crop conditions, moisture levels and field terrain.
Case IH is presenting the Axial-Flow 160 series combine harvester in its first public appearance at an international exhibition. The series builds on the company’s Harvest Command automation technology to improve harvesting performance and reduce the need for continuous manual adjustments.
Inside the cab, dual Pro 1200 displays provide operators with access to machine operating parameters and agronomic performance information.
The technology package includes automated guidance, automated headland turning and machine-to-machine data sharing, helping coordinate harvesting operations and grain unloading between multiple machines.
The Axial-Flow 160 series also introduces mechanical improvements designed to enhance crop handling and operational flexibility.
A new cross-auger clutch mechanism allows the unloading auger to be completely emptied, reducing residual grain inside the unloading system. This is particularly useful when changing between crop varieties, helping minimise the risk of cross-contamination.
An optional two-speed feeder drive provides additional control over crop feeding speed, allowing operators to adapt material flow to changing harvesting conditions.
Together, these improvements combine harvesting automation with mechanical refinements aimed at maintaining consistent crop throughput and improving operational efficiency.
ActiveDrive 8 Expands Transmission Options for Puma Tractors
Case IH is also expanding the drivetrain options available on its Puma 155–185 tractor series with the introduction of the ActiveDrive 8 transmission, showcased on the Puma 185.
The tractor is also a finalist in the Tractor of the Year competition, with the 2026 results announced on November 10.
Designed for agricultural applications ranging from heavy fieldwork to road transport, ActiveDrive 8 uses dual-clutch technology to deliver smooth gear changes.
The system preselects the next gear ratio, allowing gear shifts without interrupting torque delivery. This helps maintain power transfer when operating under varying loads and working conditions.
The updated Puma range also features improvements to chassis manoeuvrability, front axle and cab suspension, operator controls and precision implement management.
These enhancements are intended to improve operator comfort, reduce fatigue and support more efficient operation during extended working hours.
Optum 440 Features Advanced Vehicle Suspension Technology
In the higher-horsepower tractor segment, Case IH is highlighting the Optum 440 alongside the Steiger 555 Quadtrac and Farmall 110M.
A key feature of the Optum 360–440 series is the Advanced Vehicle Suspension (AVS) system, which received the EIMA Technical Evolution award.
The technology uses real-time sensor information to monitor vehicle speed and operating conditions, automatically adjusting suspension damping to maintain stability and improve ride comfort.
By adapting suspension performance to changing operating conditions, AVS is designed to improve tractor handling across different field applications and transport environments without requiring constant manual adjustments from the operator.
The system demonstrates how automated chassis technologies can contribute to improved machine control and operator comfort in modern high-horsepower tractors.
Engineering Driven by Practical Farming Requirements
Case IH says its latest developments are guided by the need to make precision technology easier to use, improve access to machine and field information, and provide drivetrain options suited to different agricultural applications.
“That means making precision technology easier to use, bringing machine and field information together and offering transmission choices that suit the work customers need to do,” said Anthony Jasinski, Case IH Brand Communications & Press Relations Manager EMEA.
He added that the recognition received by the Optum tractor’s Advanced Vehicle Suspension system reflects the company’s focus on practical engineering solutions that improve operator comfort without creating additional tasks.
Case IH is presenting these engineering developments during its press conference on November 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., under the theme Designing for the Farmer of the Future.
The presentation examines how real-world farming challenges and operator feedback influence machinery design, technology development and engineering validation.
Connected Machinery and Automation Shape the Future of Agriculture
The developments showcased by Case IH reflect broader changes across the agricultural machinery industry, where precision farming, automated harvesting and advanced drivetrain systems are becoming increasingly important.
Digital farm management platforms such as FieldOps are helping farmers coordinate equipment and agronomic information, while automated combine systems are reducing the need for continuous manual machine adjustments.
At the same time, transmission innovations and intelligent suspension systems are addressing the demands of increasingly powerful tractors operating across diverse agricultural environments.
As machinery fleets become more connected and agricultural operations more data-driven, the integration of digital platforms, automated controls and mechanical engineering will play an increasingly important role in improving farm productivity.
Through its EIMA 2026 showcase, Case IH is demonstrating how these technologies can work together to support more connected, efficient and operator-focused farming operations.
