Axial-Flow Combines for the '80s......

New for 1980 the International 1420

1980 brought about a series of changes throughout the Axial-Flow line. The 1420 Axial-Flow was introduced as the little member of the Axial-Flow self-propelled line. The 1420 replaced the 715, a conventional combine which was very popular among smaller farmers and was kept in production by IH for a couple years after the bigger Axial-Flows were first introduced. The 1420 could handle 4-row heads and straight headers up to 20'. It had a 112HP diesel engine that was built in IH's factory in Neuss, Germany(the engine is commonly referred to by IH faithful as the "German Diesel"),  a 20" diameter rotor, and had a grain tank with a capacity of 125 bushels. The 1420 was IH's first combine offering to be equipped with electric-over-hydraulic controls, which utilized electric switches to actuate solenoid-controlled hydraulic valves- replacing levers,knobs, cables, & mechanical linkages used previously. Also released in 1980 was the 1470 hillside model combine. It had an IH DT-466 engine rated at 210HP, 145 bushel grain tank, and could handle headers that ranged in size from 20' to 24'. It offered hydrostatic 4WD capability and could remain level on slopes up to 48% and also had 4-way leveling. "Rotary" also was introduced in IH's pull-type combine lineup in 1980 as well, with the introduction of the 1482 pull-type combine. The 1482 replaced IH's popular 914 model pull-type combine, thereby allowing IH to say it was "all rotary" throughtout its combine lineup. The 1482's threshing/cleaning systems were based on the 1480 self-propelled machine, as well as having a 245 bu. grain tank. It was offered with a pickup header, or could be equipped with a 17 1/2' straight-cut header that was specially designed for the 1482 with its offset header/feeder house throat design. The 1482 required a minimum of 130 PTO HP. Also new for 1980 was a 30' 810 header available for the 1480. The design of the shaft speed monitor on the self-propelled models was changed as well, allowing 7 functions to be monitored.

1981 Axial-Flow Brochure Celebrating 150 years of Harvesting

Model year 1981 brought about some more major changes with the Axial-Flow combine. Electric-over-hydraulic controls were incorporated into all models of the Axial-Flow. This setup utilized a rocker switch mounted in the hydro handle for raising/lowering the header instead of using a separate lever to do this. Similar controls were provided for with unloading auger swing, reel lift & lower,  reel speed adjustment, and automatic header height control functions. In cab cleaning fan speed adjustment became standard. The 1480 grain combine received a "hp boost" when it received a 210 HP DT-466 IH engine. A straw chopper became available in conditions were customers desired better breakup of the straw. Also, the 900 series IH cornheads were released, replacing the 800 series used previously. The big difference from the 800 series cornheads was the row-unit gearbox housings were made out of aluminum, creating a substantial weight savings with the 900 series cornheads.

International 1460 equipped with a 6 row 963 cornhead

In 1982, a rock trap that fit between the feeder house & rotor became available, both as factory-installed and as a field-installed retrofit for older machines. Also introduced was an optional feature called "Auto-reel-to-ground-speed", which enabled the the reel on a grain header to slow down or speed up automatically as the speed of the combine changed. Also, an optional grain loss monitor became available. It consisted of 4 sensors(2 mounted towards the back of the rotor cage & 2 mounted on the back of the sieve), and a display in the cab. The sensors would scan the residue at the back of the rotor cage area & sieve area for grain that was still in the straw & chaff and would warn the operator if and when grain was being "thrown over". This allowed the operator to better determine proper sieve settings, rotor speeds, concave clearance, fan speed, etc, for better productivity. Also in 1982, the 1420 received a HP increase, from 112HP to 124HP. This was done by increasing the rated speed of the engine from 2500RPM to 2700RPM. Also, the unloader auger hydraulic control valve on all models was changed to a new design that eliminated unloading auger "drift"-moving in/out without being commanded to do so by the operator. An orifice was added to an elbow supplying oil to the steering hand pump in an effort to reduce steering noise/chatter. The shaft size for the clean grain auger under the sieves was increased for additional reliability as well.

Johnson Harvesting's 9 1480 Axial-Flows Photographed for the 1982 IH Buyers Guide

The model year of 1983 brought about further changes in the 1400 series Axial-Flows. The injection pump on the 1480 was changed from the American Bosch rotary-style commonly used on the IH 400 series engines to a Robert Bosch "MW" inline injection pump. The engine horsepower remained the same, but the inline pump offered greater reliability at the higher horsepower ratings. The concave "pipe supports" that hold the concaves in place were changed from a 3-bolt design to a 5-bolt design for greater reliability on the 1480. The final drives on the 1480 were changed from a 3-bolt hub-style to a 1-bolt hub-style for more capacity & better reliability. The feeder house slip clutch torque was increased as well since the optional rock trap required more horsepower to drive it without slipping the slip clutch.  The discharge beater was changed to a style with a disc at both ends to strengthen the beater & prevent material from wrapping up on the beater ends. The rock trap became standard equipment on the 1482 pull-type combine. The air intake precleaner on the 1420/40/60 models was raised up 10" so that it would operate in cleaner air & not require servicing as much. Also, an Automatic Feeder Cutoff feature was released as an option. With this option, a sensor monitored the feeder top pivot shaft RPM. If the feeder should happen to slow down under 100 RPM after the first 5 seconds of engagement, the auto feeder cutoff module (a little "black box" located under the right hand console), would shut off power to the feeder house solenoid , disengaging the feeder. This would prevent serious damage to the feeder slip clutch as well as the feeder housing itself due to a foreign object. Also, a solid separator grate was introduced in crops like sunflowers where trash would fall through the grates onto the cleaning system, making a clean sample difficult.

IH DT 436 6-cyl. diesel

1984 would see IH introducing the feeder house reverser as an option on the Axial-Flow. This reverser resembled a starter motor that engaged a flywheel which, through a chain drive, reversed the feeder house when commanded by the operator. This eliminated the operator from having to use a large rocking wrench to reverse a "slug" from the feeder house, saving a lot of time & effort. The steering axle was upgraded in several areas on the 1420/40/60 models. Larger hub diameter & bearings accompanied changes in the offset between the spindle & rim for better reliability. The 1460 was available with a 2-speed hydro option-which was previously offered on 1480 models only. The 2-speed hydro allowed the operator to have 20% greater speeds in 1st & 2nd gear. A switch in the console would not allow the 2-speed to be in "High Range" in 3rd gear. Also, serrated rock trap blades were released which helped to prevent material wrapping around the beater (especially in tough, damp conditions). A "shim kit" which allowed the rasp bars to be shimmed so that the rotor bars formed a "perfect circle" was offered as well. This was necessary for hard-to-thrash crops such as spring wheat.

HARVEST MORE OF WHAT YOU GROW WITH AXIAL-FLOW

On November 26, 1984, International Harvester agreed to sell its agricultural equipment business to Tenneco, the parent company of JI Case. International Harvester had been having financial difficulties since 1980-81 and the agricultural economy of the 1980's did not look very promising, so it was decided to sell the agricultural division to a suitable buyer. This formed the creation of CaseIH, which would continue the Axial-Flow line at the East Moline plant. 

 1985 Case IH 1460 Axial Flow Combine

While 1985 brought about some changes to the Axial-Flows, many of them were cosmetic. The familar white cab roof on the 1400 series was changed to red. The decals read "Case International", and the trim panel around the headlights at the top of the cab was no longer white (some were red, some were black). One interesting model that was produced in 1985 was known as the "Australian Special" 1460. This was a 1460 with a 210HP 1480 engine. Other options included in the "Kangaroo Specials" were a 2-speed hydro, straw chopper, and rock trap. There were several of these sold across North America. By this time, the Axial-Flow had established itself as a strong competitor in the combine market. IH had made a lot of changes to the 1400 series Axial-Flows along the way to improve capacity & reliability. Also along the way, IH had moved up from being an "also-ran" in the combine market to a strong #2 position in the combine market. With the Axial-Flow, IH had proved that it could produce a simple combine with high productivity and low maintenance. Now it was up to CaseIH to lead the Axial-Flow into its next step-the 1600 series.

1985 Australian Buyers Guide 

Happy Silver Anniversary

25 Years of Rotary Leadership

Follow the Axial-Flow Combine Story through the early Case International years on Part VI 

Article by Jim Schroer 

Page Arrangement by Jason Hasert

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