At 9 a.m. on the first day of Agritechnica 2025, Case IH held a press conference
After an hour of tours and presentations, among all the buildup and fanfare, a red, cylindrical curtain fell – ushered in by a wave of dynamic music and camera flashes – and the crowd laid eyes on Case IH’s 440 series Optum tractor for the first time.
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In all, three new models make up the revamped Optum series, mostly dictated by their horsepower levels: the 360, 390 and the 440 model coming in at 435 horsepower.
At the heart of the new Optum tractors is FPT’s Cursor 9 engine, the first time that a nine-litre engine has been used in the Optum series.
The Optums are also now equipped with 4×2 CVT CVXDrive transmissions.
“The Cursor 9, combined with the CVXDrive 4×2 transmission, leads to optimum fuel efficiency, particularly at high road speeds,” said Gavin Enright, commercial training and sales support manager with Case IH.
The CVXDrive transmission on the new Optums are designed to put more power to the ground and deliver road speeds up to 60 km-h.
Related: See the full specifications of the Case IH OPTUM 440 on AgDealer.com
A new, three-point-hitch has also been designed into the new Optums with a lift capacity of 11.76 tonnes. The front of the tractor has an electronic front hitch that allows for ground pressure control from the cab as well.
Independent front axle suspension has been designed into the new Optums, and a twin-rod design and updated cab suspension software offers a smoother, quieter ride.
Enright said the cab in the Optum is simple to operate, adding that one advantage is that once the tractor is started, an operator doesn’t need to engage the clutch again until the tractor is switched off.
“Combined with that … our FieldOps allows the operator to be helped by somebody via a tablet or a PC in the office, or even from a pickup in the field,” Enright said.
This feature is helpful if an operator is unsure of any on-screen functions and a more experienced operator can log in remotely to assist.
Once an operator is seated in the cab, they also have the option to call up pre-saved presets for how they like the tractor to be set up.
“Every operator’s interface can be programmed separately,” said Enright.
“If I have a particular preference, and my brother has a different preference (for example, screens or hydraulic setup) … this can all be saved and with the touch of a button, recalled and quickly implemented and put into practice.”
Enright said that availability in North America for the new Optum tractors should mirror availability in Europe.
“This machine is going to start heading out to customers the end of the year,” said Enright.
“By mid next year, we’re going to see widespread availability, not only here in Europe, but also in North America.”
Puma sharpens its claws
The latest Optum series tractors aren’t the only Case IH tractors getting attention for the 2026 model year – the brand’s Puma series tractors got a refresh as well.
The updated Puma series consists of three models – a 155, 165 and 185 – named for their horsepower ratings.
“We have here a completely new tractor, except the engine,” said Lukas Gstöettner, commercial training for Case IH.
“The engine is very well known from the old Puma generation.”
In this case, the Pumas retain their FPT 6.7 litre, six-cylinder engines.
New Pumas now have the option of a CVXDrive transmission, a 3×1 CVT version capable of up to 50 km-h road speeds. The brand’s ActiveDrive 8 and 6 transmissions remain as an option for customers if they choose.
Related: See the full specifications of the Case IH Puma 185 on AgDealer.com
These latest Pumas benefit from two versions of a multi controller armrest – similar to the Optum tractors – where the majority of the tractors functions are controlled.
Gstöettner said the new armrests allow operators to configure nearly every aspect of the tractor to their preferences.
Customers can choose from three hydraulic pump options of either 125, 150 and 170 litres per minute.
New Puma tractors have an additional mid-mount remote valve available, upping the number to four. Remote valves are also equipped with decompression levers for easier connecting and re-connecting.
Rear linkage has been strengthened to handle a lift capacity of 8,380 kilograms at the ball ends. The category three hitch at the front has a lift capacity of up to 4,180 kg.
“The lifting rods, the lifting arms, the lifting capacity and also the lower lifting arms are really now strengthened out,” said Gstöettner.
“So we have here a very high lifting capacity.”
On top of new features in the updated Puma series, fuel capacity has also been increased to 350 litres (with a 50 litre capacity for AdBlue, a urea-based diesel exhaust fluid solution) to help reduce the need for fuel top-ups in the field.
