Farming Ahead February 2009 No. 205 www.farmingahead.com.au22

Machineryevaluation

Co-operation and Development (OECD) tests conducted in Nebraska.

Owners were pleased with the engine, rating it at a score of 84%, with two owners reporting fuel pump problems were repaired under warranty.

Fuel capacity (155L) met most owners’ expectations, gaining an 82% rating. Owners’ opinions were mixed about the machine’s fuel consumption (scoring 72%) with two stating fuel economy was one of the best features and two owners of CX 105 units rating fuel economy as below average.

Four owners said average fuel consumption was 9.3l/h for light load and 15.2 l/h for full load.

Owners were content with the ease of starting the tractor, scoring it 78% although a Queensland-based owner of a CX 85 reported intermittent electrical faults that prevented starting.

A Victorian owner of a CX 80 replaced a broken connection to the starter motor under the cabin after 700 hours under warranty.

Kondinin Group surveyed 15 owners and found 73 percent would buy the same or similar tractor again. One owner was undecided and three (20%) would not buy the same unit. One stated there were too many electrical faults, while another cited high fuel consumption and a lack of power.

The tractors in the survey had worked an average of 1239 hours.

The United Kingdom-built McCormick CX series I was released in Australia during 2001. The series consists of the CX 70, CX 80, CX 90 and CX 100 models. The CX series I was superseded by CX series II during 2004. This range consisted of the CX 75, CX 85, CX 95 and CX 105. All models are suited to tillage, transport, spraying and PTO work. A total of 12 owners surveyed used their tractor for front-end loader work.

The tractors use an in-line four-cylinder, 4.4 litre diesel engine, and all units except the CX 70 and CX 75 are turbocharged.

Engine 79% ratingPower at the rated engine speed of 2200

revolutions per minute (rpm) ranged from 44.5 kilowatts (CX 70 and CX 75 models) to 63.3kW (CX 100 and CX 105 models), according to Organisation for Economic

Price for base models including GST

CX 85 $83,039 CX 105 $94,490

Price

YES NO UNCERTAIN

73% 20% 7%

Buy again

owners of Mccormick cX front-wheel-assisted tractors praised their cabin, visibility, low noise and transmission but criticised the clutch, power take-off (Pto) height and electrical problems.

Ma

ch

iner

y ev

alu

atio

nM

ccor

Mick

cX Ser

ieS Tra

cTor

S

kONdININ GROUP

Paul Kupke

McCormick CX series tractors

Kondinin Group rating

tractors surveyed 15

79%

74%

81%

78%

71%

80%

82%

77%

Engine

Transmission

Hydraulics

Linkage and PTO

drawbar performance

Tyres and weights

Cabin and controls

Servicing

©Kondinin Group

Reproduction in whole or part is not permitted

without permission.

FREECALL 1800 677 761

Farming Ahead February 2009 No. 205 www.farmingahead.com.au 23

MachineryevaluationMachineryevaluation

Best features

Cabin

Visibility

Low noise

Transmission

Worst features

Clutch

PTO height

Electrical problems

Hydraulics 81% ratingAll models are fitted with an open centre

hydraulic system powered by a positive displacement pump.

Owners were satisfied with the hydraulic system and were pleased with its capacity, averaging 78% and 83% respectively.

According to independent OECD testing, CX series tractors deliver up to 54.5 litres per minute at 16,000 kilopascals.

Linkage and PTO 78% ratingA 540/1000rpm, six spline PTO is

standard on all machines except the CX 75, which only has a 540rpm PTO.

Owners were content with PTO performance, rating this feature at 74%, although a SA owner of a CX 105 unit replaced two PTO clutches before 300 hours. Only parts were covered under warranty. He also reported replacing an O ring in the middle of the tractor as it destroyed a third PTO clutch after 980 hours. The tractor was out of action for six weeks and was repaired for $12,000. This was not covered by warranty.

Three owners were disappointed the PTO height was too close to the drawbar as this caused problems when operating equipment. A New South Wales-based owner of a CX 95 reported replacing a PTO isolation switch after 20 hours under warranty. A QLD-based owner of a CX 85 suggested an economy setting on the PTO for operation at lower engine rpm.

All owners surveyed used three-point linkage on their tractors, rating its performance at 74%. A SA owner of a CX 85

Transmission 74% ratingThe CX series II tractors feature

a standard two-speed powershift transmission, providing 16 forward and eight reverse gears. An optional three-speed powershift transmission providing 24 forward and eight reverse gears is available on all models. Six owners surveyed had the 24-speed gearbox.

Owners were satisfied with the powershift transmission, which scored 78%. But a South Australian owner of a CX 105 unit replaced the transmission solenoids after 500 hours under warranty. A Victorian owner of a CX 80 blocked the transmission filter with dirty oil from a new implement after 1000 hours. It was repaired for $1100, which was not covered by warranty.

Owners also were content with gear suitability (rated at 78%) but were disappointed with the smoothness of the transmission shift (67%). Four owners reported clutch problems including one SA owner of a CX 105 unit who reported trouble with the electronic clutch after 500 hours. This was repaired under warranty. Another SA owner of the same unit replaced a solenoid for clutch smoothness after 800 hours for $900, which was not covered by warranty. A SA owner of a CX 85 replaced a clutch sensor for $285 and a safety switch on the gear shaft for $450 — neither was covered by warranty. A Victorian owner of a CX 95 replaced his clutch after 3000 hours, half of which was covered by warranty. He stated transmission performance was much improved following the clutch change.

Three owners stated the clutch was one of the unit’s worst features.

replaced a top link sensor for $800, which was not covered by warranty. A QLD owner of a CX 85 stated the standard lift capacity was inadequate.

the owners who had a front-end loaders fitted to their units, rated its performance at 86%.

drawbar performance 71% ratingTractors were mostly used for PTO work

at 12 kilometres per hour (40% of use), transport and front-end loader work at 10–25km/h (32%) tillage at 4-12km/h (14%) and spraying at 10km/h (10%). Approximately one-third of the workload was under light load (41% of use), heavy load (26%), medium load (21%) and full load (12%).

Owners were generally satisfied with the drawbar performance, scoring it 71%.

Tyres and weights 80% ratingOf those surveyed, four owners used

water ballast, one used cast ballast and one used a 3PL counter weight. The remaining owners did not use ballast. A healthy 64% of owners checked tyre pressure monthly or more frequently. All owners used radial tyres.

Generally, owners expected their tyres would last an average of 4929 hours.

Praise: The cabin comfort, layout and visibility impressed owners.

Summary

Owners were content with the overall performance (scoring 81%), reliability (80%) and quality of build (80%). Ease of handling rated well at 86%.

Most owners were satisfied with dealer and manufacturer support, rating this at 74% and 75% respectively. The manufacturer’s warranty was rated at 72%, no owners purchased additional warranty. Parts availability impressed most owners, scoring an average of 83%.

Owners were generally happy with the operator’s manual, which scored 81%.

Specifications

Model CX 75 CX 85 CX 95 CX 105

Cylinders (T = turbocharger) 4 4 T 4 T 4 T

Capacity (L) 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4

PTO power @ rated engine speed (kW) 44.5* 53.2* 59.4* 64.3*

Rated engine speed (rpm) 2200 2200 2200 2200

Hydraulic flow (L/min) @ maximum pressure 54.5* 52.4* 53.2* 52.2*

* Independent OECD Nebraska tests

Farming Ahead February 2009 No. 205 www.farmingahead.com.au24

Machineryevaluation

Criticism: Some owners found the close proximity of the PTO to the drawbar was inconvenient.

Owners were pleased with final drives (scoring 83%) axles (83%) and tyres (82%).

Most were satisfied with tyre bounce, which scored 68%.

Cabin and controls 82% ratingOwners praised the ease of cabin

entry and cabin visibility, which rated at 86% and 89% respectively. Six owners rated cabin visibility as one of the tractor’s best features.

Operator comfort (rated at 82%) and seat comfort (80%) pleased owners. Eight owners stated the cabin was one of the unit’s best features, although one was disappointed with the cabin layout. A QLD–based owner of a CX 85 suggested an air ride seat should be included as standard. A NSW owner of a CX 95 reported the seat upholstery came apart, which was repaired after 177 hours under warranty.

The low cabin noise impressed owners, scoring 81%, with three owners stating the low noise was one of the unit’s best features.

Owners were also happy with the placement and use of controls, which scored 80% and the instrumentation, scoring 79%. One Victorian owner of a CX 85 replaced the speedometer readout after 300 hours under warranty. A NSW owner of a CX 95 replaced an hour metre after 177 hours under warranty.

two owners who had on-board computers fitted to their tractors scored this feature at 85%.

The standard lighting satisfied owners scoring 76%, with a Victorian CX 85 owner stating the headlight vision was blocked by the front-end loader.

Cabin air-conditioning and heating was pleasing at 83%. And two owners reported installing a two-way radio or phones, rating ease of installation at 80%.

Servicing 77% ratingEase and access for daily and major

servicing rated well, averaging 83% and 78% respectively.

Owners praised the ease of changing the oil and filter (rated at 85%) fuel filter (85%) and air filter (86%).

The location of the fuse box pleased owners scoring 79%, while checking the battery rated lower at 67%.

Some owners were disappointed with the location and size of the toolbox (56% rating).

Machineryevaluation

The McCormick CX range is an industry leading tractor in its class. The CX range has had several upgrades to improve the all round performance and reliability of these units. CX tractors are still a favourite of the Australian farmer and will be in the future.

PFG Australia Pty Ltd 1/539 Mt derrimut Rd, derrimut, VIC, 3030

+ 61 3 9368 8888

+ 61 3 9368 8899 info@pfgaustralia.com.au

Manufacturer’s comment

STOCKAVAILABLENOW